Meet the IEAA Board

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Meet the IEAA Board 07 May 2026, Melbourne

Description
A not-to-be-missed networking event with IEAA board members in Melbourne, Victoria

Web Desc
Join us for an exclusive evening of connection and insight with IEAA Board Members! This is a unique opportunity to engage with influential leaders shaping the future of international education in Australia. Hear directly from the Board as they take the stage for a lively and thought-provoking debate on the motion: “The government has done as much as it needs to do to deal with quality and integrity concerns.” Board members will share their perspectives on this critical issue and what it means for the sector in 2026. Whether you’re looking to build meaningful connections, explore collaboration opportunities or gain inspiration from sector leaders, this event offers a dynamic and engaging space to elevate your professional network. Don’t miss this chance to be part of the conversation shaping what’s next. This event is open to IEAA members only. Not a member but wish to attend? Check out the different membership types available or email us at [email protected]. Program 5:00pm Registration opens 5:30pm Welcome and opening by IEAA President, Prof. Ren Yi 5:40pm Debate 6:10pm Closing remarks by IEAA CEO, Hon. Phil Honeywood 6:15pm Networking, drinks and canapés 7:15pm Event concludes

Web Desc

Join us for an exclusive evening of connection and insight with IEAA Board Members!

This is a unique opportunity to engage with influential leaders shaping the future of international education in Australia. Hear directly from the Board as they take the stage for a lively and thought-provoking debate on the motion: “The government has done as much as it needs to do to deal with quality and integrity concerns.” Board members will share their perspectives on this critical issue and what it means for the sector in 2026.

Whether you’re looking to build meaningful connections, explore collaboration opportunities or gain inspiration from sector leaders, this event offers a dynamic and engaging space to elevate your professional network. Don’t miss this chance to be part of the conversation shaping what’s next.

This event is open to IEAA members only. Not a member but wish to attend? Check out the different membership types available or email us at [email protected].

Program

5:00pm Registration opens
5:30pm Welcome and opening by IEAA President, Prof. Ren Yi
5:40pm Debate
6:10pm Closing remarks by IEAA CEO, Hon. Phil Honeywood
6:15pm Networking, drinks and canapés
7:15pm Event concludes

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Non-Member

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Father's Office Downtown 121 Flinders Lane Melbourne 07 May 2026 20 You can earn up to 20 fellowship points.

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Event Speakers

Event speaker details will be updated as they are confirmed.

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	Jonathan Chew, IEAA-SF Chief Insights Officer Navitas Ltd Jon Chew is Chief Insights Officer at Navitas, a global education provider with over 100 colleges and campuses in 18 countries, where he leads the organisation’s data-driven culture. Jon is recognised as one of the world’s preeminent market analysts in international education and brings in-depth expertise on global trends in education, built on the rigorous analysis of a wide range of external and in-house datasets. His work is informed by an up-to-the-minute industry perspective developed collaboratively with a global network of stakeholders, policy-makers and experts. Jon was the recipient of the IEAA Excellence Award in Professional Commentary in 2022. Prior to joining Navitas, Jon spent 10 years in management and policy consulting, and began his career as a public-sector economist.
	Mike Ferguson, IEAA-SF Pro Vice-Chancellor, International Charles Sturt University (CSU) Mike is Pro Vice-Chancellor (International) at Charles Sturt University and former Chair and Treasurer of the AUIDF. Prior to his role at Charles Sturt University, he held the role of Director for Global Student Recruitment at the University of Canberra. He has also worked in international education as an Australian Diplomat in New Delhi, as Director of International Education Policy for the Department of Home Affairs and as a Ministerial Advisor to Senator Michaelia Cash. Mike is an IEAA Fellow.
	Hon Phil Honeywood, IEAA-SF Chief Executive Officer International Education Association of Australia Phil has been IEAA's Chief Executive Officer since November 2011. Previously, he was a Member of the Victorian State Parliament (1988–2006), Minister for Tertiary Education, Training and Multicultural Affairs (1996–1999) and Deputy Leader of the Opposition (2002–2006). Since retiring from politics, Phil worked at Stott’s Business College and Cambridge International College. Phil is the Chairman of the Roundtable of International Education Peak Body CEOs and a member of the Tuition Protection Service Board. Phil is also a Board member of the Bennelong Philanthropic Foundation and the Bangarra Group Board.
	Sarah Lightfoot, IEAA-F CEO, UNSW Global & PVC Education Futures, UNSW UNSW College Sarah Lightfoot is the Chief Executive Officer of UNSW College. Passionate about pathways education, Sarah has dedicated her career to connecting people with the transformative power of education. Beginning with a focus on marketing, Sarah’s career moved into events management and ultimately sales. She worked in several different sectors before changing the direction of her career by completing a Master of International Education in 2005 and beginning work in education. Since then, Sarah has worked in a variety of senior leadership roles across Elicos, VET and Higher Education organisations, in Australia and abroad. Prior to working at UNSW, Sarah was Vice-President and General Manager of Marketing and Sales at Navitas, the world’s largest university pathway provider. Sarah was responsible for the recruitment, marketing and admissions of 16 university colleges across Australia, Dubai, New Zealand and Singapore. She led a highly successful business transformation at Navitas where she focused on developing new opportunities for students to experience the life-changing impacts that only higher education can create. In her career at UNSW Sarah has worked in a number of senior leadership roles including at the UNSW Business School and UNSW International. In these roles and throughout her career, Sarah has won multiple awards for marketing and leadership. Commencing her leadership of UNSW College in August 2021, Sarah has reset the organisation’s strategy and embarked on an ambitious program of work that will enhance access and opportunity for College students from across the globe.
	Rishen Shekhar, IEAA-SF IEAA Board Member / Former International Student Rishen Shekhar is an international education executive with nearly two decades of experience across universities, TAFE, private RTOs, student accommodation (PBSA), and education technology. He most recently served as Pro Vice Chancellor: International at the University of South Australia (UniSA), following over a decade in senior leadership roles, including Director: Global Recruitment and Engagement. In these roles, he led the institution’s international recruitment and marketing strategy, global business development and partnerships, international government relations, learning abroad, transnational education (TNE), embedded pathways, admissions, and quality/compliance functions. Beyond the university sector, Rishen served as Business Development Director at StudyLink Asia Pacific, implementing cloud-based admissions, agent management, and CRM solutions for Griffith University, Macquarie University, TAFE Queensland, and across the Navitas network and led the rollout of StudyLink Connect to a global network of over 1,000 education agents. A former international student, Rishen brings both lived experience and sector leadership to his work. He serves on the Board of the International Education Association of Australia (IEAA) and St Ignatius College (a premier Jesuit school in Adelaide), is an invited member of the IDP Connect ANZ Advisory Panel, and is a former executive of the Australian Universities International Directors’ Forum (AUIDF). He is a strong advocate for international education as a driver of employability, global diplomacy and economic productivity.
	Marnie Watson, IEAA-F Vice President (Global) Griffith University Marnie Watson is Vice President Global at Griffith University. Prior to her current role, Marnie was Chief Partnership Officer for Acumen (Sannam S4) managing a global team responsible for delivering international education services across Southeast Asia and South Asia for over 100 universities. She has spent most of her 28 years in the international education sector based in Southeast Asia working for University of New South Wales, Study Group and UP Education. Marnie’s international education focus has been on setting and executing on international education strategy for schools, vocational providers and universities, including TNE initiatives, while leading global student recruitment and academic teams. She was previously President of the Australian Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam, on the Board of the Australian and New Zealand Association in Singapore and is currently on the International Education Association of Australia board.
	Prof Ren Yi, IEAA-SF Pro Vice-Chancellor (International) University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ) Professor Yi is the Pro Vice-Chancellor International at the University of Southern Queensland. He has been working in the higher education sector for over 15 years, and is an expert on international education. He also has extensive industry management experience. An award-winning researcher, Professor Yi is a past President of the Australasian Research Management Society. He is currently a reviewer for the Academy of International Business and Australian Research Council.

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