We are proud to present Connecting Corporate Australia to the Classroom - a Spheres of Influence International BusinessClass event.

Leaders in the education and corporate worlds will gather to discuss fundamental industry challenges and opportunities to develop strong partnerships and craft the strategies needed to succeed.

‘There is certainly an opportunity, in my view, for those engaged in corporate Australia to play a role in the education of our young people.’

Julia Gillard, Deputy PM and Minister for Education

 In Connecting Corporate Australia to the Classroom we explore the shifting trends and key issues impacting the education landscape and learn from a panel of leading figures as they debate the role of corporate Australia in our schools. 

The Government is committed to fostering greater linkages between business and educational institutions...

The Productivity Agenda: Education, Skills, Training, Science, and Innovation, Government Report, 2020 Summit, April 2009.

The Panel

John Roskam, Executive Director, Institute of Public Affairs

• Executive Director of the free market think tank the Institute of Public Affairs since 2004.
• Has previously held a profile of diverse and influential roles including: Senior Advisor and Chief of Staff to Federal and State Education Ministers, Executive Director of the Menzies Research Centre, Canberra; Manager of Government and Corporate Affairs for a global mining company.
• A published author and respected academic.
• His fortnightly column appears in the Australian Financial Review.

 Professor Brian J. Caldwell, Managing Director, Educational Transformations

• An established international expert in education.
• Over 25 years as an author, presenter, and academic.
• Associate Director of the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust in England, Deputy Chair of the Board of the Australian Council for Educational Research and co-director of the Futures Focused School Project.
• Former Dean of Education at the University of Melbourne (1998 – 2004), where he is currently Professorial Fellow; Head of Teacher Education (1988-1999) and Dean of Education (1989-1990) at the University of Tasmania.

Adam Smith, CEO, Foundation for Young Australians

• An outstanding advocate for youth development, education and strategic philanthropy
• His views have been widely represented across the Australian and international media landscape.
• Former CEO of Education Foundation Australia, a founding board member of Changemakers Australia and a past Director of the US-based International Youth Foundation.
• Three nominations for Young Australian of the Year and a recipient of a 2004 Celebrating Melbourne Award.
• In 2008, Adam was selected by the Australian Financial Review’s BOSS Magazine as one of Australia’s six Young Executives of the Year.

 Jenny Lewis, CEO, Australian Council of Educational Leaders

• Co Chair of the International Microsoft Partners in Learning Advisory Board.
• Executive Officer of the International Congress for School Effectiveness and Improvement,
• Executive Board Member of the Commonwealth Council for Educational Administration and Management
• Teaching Australia Director.
• Has positioned ACEL to lead school leadership programs for education systems within Australia, and has commenced similar work for the Commonwealth Secretariat.

Dr Steve Holden, Managing Editor, Teacher Magazine

• A journalist and writer.
• Editor of Teacher, a national education magazine published by the Australian Council for Educational Research, since 2000, and Professional Educator, published for the Australian College of Educators by ACER, since 2002.
• Won the ‘Best Columnist: Highly Commended Award’ at the Melbourne Press Club Quill Awards, in 2008, for his 'Last Word' column in Teacher, and the Australian Council of Deans of Education ‘Print or Electronic Media: Best Commentary, Opinion or Critique Award’

 Rupert Macgregor, Executive Director, Australian Council of State School Organisations

• A professional career encompassing a wide variety of research, consulting and project management assignments for government, community and private industry organisations in various parts of Australia and overseas.
• Has worked with the ACSSO since 2002 as National Projects Manager and Executive Director.
• Responsibilities include the planning, development, implementation and evaluation of a range of research and community development projects with a focus on building sustainable partnerships between schools and their communities.

The Facilitator

Jo Pearson

• A wealth of experience as speaker, live television interviewer and senior prime-time television newsreader.
• A polished professional with the skills to ensure guests benefit from a coherant, entertaining and productive discussion with tangible results.

Who should attend:

Education and corporate executives from the highest levels of representative organisations; educational leaders, key business decision-makers, education specialists and administrators, corporate marketers, and sponsorship professionals.

Benefits of attending:

Don't miss the most significant one-off discussion to take place in Australia this year.

Sponsored by

Guests should arrive at least fifteen minutes before commencement of the discussion at 2pm and be prepared to remain in the auditorium until 4pm, allowing for questions from the audience. Guests are invited to join Spheres of Influence and the panellists for light refreshments served in the foyer after the event until 5pm.  

Email: sam@spheresofinfluence.com.au Website: www.spheresofinfluence.com.au

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