Keynote Speakers

Get to know our keynote speakers prior to the Conference. 


Dr Nancy Arthur

Dean of Research and Innovation, University of South Australia
Professor Nancy Arthur joined the University of South Australia in 2019 as Dean: Research and Innovation for the Division of Education, Arts, and Social Sciences. Nancy was previously a Full Professor and Canada Research Chair in the Werklund School of Education, University of Calgary, Canada. Nancy has served on the Board of Governors for the Canadian Career Development Foundation and currently serves as a Vice-President of the International Association for Educational and Vocational Guidance. During the past year, Nancy was editor/co-editor for three published books, Counseling in Cultural Contexts: Identities and Social Justice (Springer), Contemporary Theories of Career Development: International Perspectives (Routledge), and Career Theories and Models at Work: Ideas for Practice (CERIC).

Ed Hidalgo

Chief of Innovation & Engagement Officer, Cajon Valley Union School District

Ed Hidalgo is the Chief Innovation and Engagement Officer for the Cajon Valley Union School District. His role was created to support the district mission to prepare all students to lead happy lives in healthy relationships, on a path to gainful employment. He is the lead designer supporting the integration of career-related learning in classrooms through a systemic, research-based career development framework known as the World of Work™ Initiative. The design, integration and commercialization began in 2016 and is now deployed primarily by teachers in classrooms across the Southern California district with 900 teachers, 17,000 students, and 27 schools, and in partnering districts. This work is complemented by his strategic partnership with the Gallup organization that is supporting the district’s evolution to a strengths-based, engagement driven enterprise. 
 Prior to this role, he was the Director of the world of work initiative at the Institute for Entrepreneurship in Education at the University of San Diego, where he worked with researchers to design the theory of change and theory of action for his current work. These initiatives are inspired by the work he led during 18 years in the private sector, most recently at Qualcomm, the leading global wireless communications company, where he worked in human resources, staffing and government affairs. 
As Senior Director of Government Affairs, he led the development of the Thinkabit_Lab®, a dedicated makerspace that has provided more than 50,000 middle school students and teachers exposure to advanced technology and the world of work. Prior to this role, he led the global contingent workforce and immigration practice which was responsible for the hiring of more than 20,000 high-skill, high-wage workers. He co-founded Career Explorations, a career counseling and coaching benefit for company employees to drive career engagement and career well-being. 
Prior to his time at Qualcomm, he was the Area Manager for the global staffing company, Manpower, where he was responsible for technical recruiting and site-management operations contributing to the employment of thousands of workers each year throughout San Diego County. 
He is a member of the San Diego Workforce Partnership- Workforce Development Board. He is a Certified Coach in the following assessments: MBTI, Gallup Strengths, Strong Interest Inventory and CPI 260.

Dr Niki Harre

School of Psychology, The University of Auckland 
Niki Harré is based in the School of Psychology at the University of Auckland. Her recent research projects have focused on sustainable communities and schools, positive youth development and political activism. Niki is a founding member of the Pt Chevalier Transition Town, cycles to work, learns the guitar from a musician who lives on her street, and has a large organic garden thanks to her husband. In 2007 Niki edited, with Quentin Atkinson, the book Carbon Neutral by 2020: How New Zealanders Can Tackle Climate Change. Her two latest books are The Infinite Game: How to Live Well Together and Psychology for a Better World: Working with People to Save the Planet.

Josh Williams

Chief Executive Officer, Industry Training Federation, NZ
Josh has worked in the Education Sector for 18 years, focussed on skills, qualifications, and quality assurance issues in the schooling and tertiary sectors. Prior to rejoining the ITF he was Senior Policy Manager in Tertiary Policy at the Ministry of Education, leading policy for vocational and foundational education, and secondary-tertiary transitions. Josh was programme manager for the implementation of Youth Guarantee initiatives, and led the development of Vocational Pathways, recognised as an example of successful government and industry partnerships. He was formerly Principal Policy Advisor at the Industry Training Federation, a Senior Policy Analyst at NZQA, and Private Secretary to Ministers of Education. Josh holds a Bachelor of Arts (Humanities) degree from Massey University and is a member of the Institute of Directors.

Tyronne Bell

Traditional Custodian, Ngunawal
Tyronne Bell is the youngest of seven children and grew up in Yass, learning traditional culture from his father, Don Bell (senior). Challenging early experiences helped shape his lifelong passion for the advancement of Aboriginal issues. Tyronne has become a strong advocate for the recognition of Aboriginal culture and language, in particular, the culture and language of the Ngunawal people.
Tyronne has worked as a ranger in ACT Parks and Conservation and spent ten years in the public service, mainly in the Aboriginal Affairs portfolio where he worked in the Native Title Unit.

Tyronne started his own business in July 2013, Thunderstone Aboriginal Cultural and Land Management Services as a means to educate the wider community about the local history and culture of the Canberra region and its traditional custodians the Ngunawal people.

Tyronne has formed many connections within the Indigenous and non-indigenous community and has been deeply involved in many community-based activities and cultural heritage survey projects over the years. His cultural knowledge of the local region is considerable.





Platinum Sponsor

Australian National University is a world-leading university in Australia’s capital. Excellence is embedded in their approach to research and education.

Conference Convenor

CDAA is Australia’s cross-sectoral community of career development practitioners, with members in every state and territory and across all sectors of the profession.

Conference Organiser

GEMS Event Management Australia is the Professional Conference Organiser (PCO) for the 2019 CDAA National Conference.

Ⓒ GEMS Event Management Australia Pty Ltd 2019