Jehan Casinader
Jehan Casinader is an award-winning journalist, speaker and mental health advocate. He was named “Reporter of the Year” at the New Zealand Television Awards, and “Best Political Columnist” at the Voyager Media Awards. In the aftermath of natural disasters, terror attacks, sporting triumphs and everything in between, Jehan has helped hundreds of Kiwis to share their vulnerable, deeply personal stories with the rest of the country. In 2020, Jehan opened up about his journey through depression and suicidality, in a book called This Is Not How It Ends: How rewriting your story can save your life (HarperCollins). Now, he travels around New Zealand, teaching Kiwis about the power of storytelling. He is a respected thought leader in the areas of wellbeing, leadership and diversity, sharing regular insights with his large audience on LinkedIn. Jehan is also an official ambassador for Men’s Health Week. He has a degree in public policy, and regularly hosts high-profile events in the education sector. 

Stay tuned - we will update this page as more of our speakers are confirmed!

James Laughlin

Next-Level Leadership: Wisdom from the World’s Best

James Laughlin is a global leader in High Performance Leadership and Personal Mastery. Renowned for his pioneering strategies, James has worked with elite performers, including professional athletes, CEOs, and multinational corporations, guiding them to achieve extraordinary success through his proprietary models. His influence spans diverse sectors, from PGA tour professionals to billion-dollar executives, empowering them to unlock their potential.

A seven-time world champion musician, James also led an underdog team to victory on the world stage, showcasing his exceptional leadership. As a mental skills coach for Canterbury Rugby, James enhances their competitive edge with resilience and peak performance strategies. He further extends his expertise through the highly popular "Lead on Purpose" podcast, where he interviews world-class leaders and shares powerful insights on leadership and personal growth.

Kathryn MacCallum

Kathryn MacCallum is an Associate Professor of Digital Education Futures at the University of Canterbury, New Zealand. As Director of the Digital Education Futures Lab, she leads a community of researchers exploring digital technologies in education across all contexts, from kindergarten to tertiary education. In 2019, Kathryn was honoured with the prestigious award for Sustained Excellence in Tertiary Teaching, reflecting her dedication and passion for teaching.

Kathryn's research focuses on the role and impact of technology in education, particularly how emerging technologies like AI can support the development of critical digital literacies but also how this shifts educational practices and norms. Her innovative work has influenced educational practices both in New Zealand and internationally. As President of the International Association of Mobile Learning, she continues to shape the future of digital education. Kathryn has published extensively and serves as editor-in-chief for several leading international journals in mobile and blended learning and information technology education.

Dr Nina Hood

Unpacking the different dimensions of the Science of Learning research
Discussions of the Science of Learning have gained prominence in education over the past few years. In New Zealand, the Science of Learning has been a key part of recent policy developments around the Curriculum and pedagogical practices in schools. In this talk, Nina will discuss how the Science of Learning has been commonly conceptualised in education and the implications of this. She will then also explore how the Science of Learning encompasses a broader range of research than is commonly discussed and how identifying the different dimensions of the Science of Learning research can provide a much more holistic approach to teaching and learning. 

Nina is the founder of The Education Hub, a not-for-profit with a mission to bridge the gap between research and practice in education. She has a background as a secondary school teachers and has also been an academic at the Faculty of Education at the University of Auckland. She currently is involved in the development of new teacher training pathways and also provides professional learning to schools.

Robin Averill

Guido Ballara & Paul McBride

Guido has worked as an employment lawyer for over 18 years, having specialised in employment law since 2003.  Before joining the firm in 2005, Guido was a Solicitor in the employment team of Minter Ellison Rudd Watts in Wellington.  Guido advises across all areas of employment law, represents clients at mediation and appears as counsel in the Employment Relations Authority, Employment Court, in the District and High Courts, as well as in the appellate courts.  Guido has also provided training and presented seminars to clients on employment law issues.  He also has personal sector experience, having been on a school board of trustees.

Paul was admitted to the bar in 1993, after working as Judges Clerk for the (now) Employment Court for four years.  Paul was employed by the Department of Labour for five years before entering private practice.  Paul has specialised in employment law and ACC work (primarily for ACC itself) since being admitted.  In practice, Paul works with many public organisations including Departments, Crown Entities, and other Boards including Health and Education Sector on employment and ACC related matters.  He also has personal sector experience, having been on a school board of trustees.

Tara Fagan

Supporting the Learning Ecosystem | The Potential of Museum-School Partnerships
Tara will explore how community culture and heritage organisations, such as museums and galleries, can play a role in supporting teachers and learners. Drawing on research into museum collaborations, she will focus on equity-driven initiatives that aim to increase access to local history and digital technologies for students, teachers, and whānau. Her presentation will showcase the benefits of leveraging museums as spaces for deep learning, social impact, and experiential education for both teachers and students. Tara will also delve into how these collaborations enable students to explore vocational pathways and harness digital tools to create new knowledge or reinterpret existing stories.  Additionally, she will emphasise the value of strong partnerships between schools and cultural heritage organizations, highlighting their positive impact on local communities and young people's educational experiences.

Tara Fagan, Principal Advisor Learning, Te Papa Tongarewa. Tara is part of the Learning Team at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa and is responsible for enabling innovative learning experiences for learners of all ages through engagement with Te Papa’s collections, exhibitions, cultural and scientific resources, and the Learning Lab.  She recently designed and lead the Raranga Matihiko | Weaving Digital Futures programme, a four-year contract with the Ministry of Education.  Tara is passionate about supporting all learners and enabling them to be the best they can be.  Prior to her role at Te Papa, Tara held an education leadership role and is well regarded for her expertise in digital technologies and online communities to support learning.  Tara holds a MEd and BEd (Teach) ECE Passionate about life-long learning, she believes in innovative community learning programmes that provide a wonderfully rich context that can support all teachers and learners.

Fiona Humphries

Leadership influence: How leadership shapes the teacher experience
For students to thrive, they need teachers operating at their best. Teacher wellbeing is crucial to creating an effective learning environment, yet it remains a persistent challenge in today’s educational landscape. This presentation focuses on the significant role school leadership plays in supporting teacher wellbeing. While stress, burnout, and workload have been widely discussed, this study highlights leadership as a key factor influencing teachers' workplace experience.Drawing from a mixed-method study on the wellbeing of New Zealand primary and secondary teachers, key findings related to leadership will be presented. The session will offer insights and practical strategies for school leaders to positively impact teacher wellbeing, creating more supportive and effective environments for both teachers and students.

Fiona Humphries is an experienced teacher and school guidance counsellor. With more than 30 years in education, Fiona brings a deep understanding of the challenges faced by educators and the importance of effective support systems. Her doctoral research investigated the wellbeing of New Zealand primary and secondary teachers and sought teachers’ perspectives into influential wellbeing factors. Fiona’s work involves supporting teachers with insights and practical strategies to create positive environments and encourage constructive change. Her expertise and research ultimately aim to make difference for both teachers and students.

Mary Niulesā

Cecilia Sanajua

Brooke Trenwith

Getting the best out of your Neurodivergent Teachers
School leaders play a crucial role in fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for all staff members, including those who are neurodivergent. However, navigating the diverse needs and strengths of neurodivergent staff can be challenging without the right support and resources. By equipping school leaders with the tools and understanding necessary to work effectively with neurodivergent individuals, they can create a workplace culture that values diversity, promotes well-being, and maximises the potential of every team member. Support in this area helps leaders to better communicate, accommodate, and harness the unique talents of their neurodivergent staff, ultimately leading to a more innovative and resilient educational community.

Brooke is a dynamic speaker, specialising in neurodiversity, leadership, and trauma-informed practice. She has developed widely-used online courses on strengths-based approaches for working with adults and students. A former President of the NZ Association for Gifted Children, she also works in leadership development for public and private organisations across NZ, Australia, and Canada. With teaching and leadership experience from early childhood to university, Brooke’s neurodivergent lens actively shapes policies through various Ministerial Groups, championing inclusivity, strengths-based approaches, and innovation.