SPEAKERS
John Zeckendorf, Adventurer
John Zeckendorf, Adventurer
John has a very long and varied resume. With his financial background he has worked as an accountant, founded his own company, works currently with the organisation Power to Change, a Christian organisation that connects people to Jesus and each other. John has been on the Board of Pathways Tasmania for the past four years where the homeless and those battling addiction are supported back to health and dignity. His work has taken him around the world and if you talk to him and ask the right question he may tell you stories of his work for a Prince and the mountains he has climbed. He may even speak of his experience as a parent of students who attend Anglican Schools. All of these achievements, although life shaping, compare little to the things he is most grateful for; his faith in the Lord Jesus and his family. During the conference John will be sharing with us of how he came to faith, his mountaineering experiences, including being the first Tasmanian to reach the summit of Mt Everest, and the relationship of awe and wonder in growing faith.
Dr Paula Gooder, Canon Chancellor at
St Paul's Cathedral, London
Dr Paula Gooder, Canon Chancellor at St Paul's Cathedral, London
Dr Paula Gooder is a writer and lecturer in Biblical Studies. Her research areas focus on the writings of Paul the Apostle, with a particular focus on 2 Corinthians and on Paul’s understanding of the Body. Her passion is to ignite people’s enthusiasm for reading the Bible today, by presenting the best of biblical scholarship in an accessible and interesting way. She works full-time as the Canon Chancellor at St Paul's Cathedral, London.
Claire Madden, Founder and Director, Social Researcher, Hello Clarity
Claire Madden is a leading voice internationally on Generation Z. As an author, social researcher, keynote speaker and media commentator, Claire is in demand internationally as an expert in interpreting social trends, demographics and implications of generational change. Claire is the author of Hello Gen Z: Engaging the Generation of Post-Millennials.
Claire is highly regarded for her dynamic and engaging presentations where she translates robust, research-based content into strategic applications for educators, managers and business leaders. Claire is commissioned by some of the nation’s largest companies and leading brands to interpret the changing landscape and communicate the implications for business and society.
As a media commentator, Claire is regularly interviewed on prominent television programs including The Drum, The
Project, The Today Show, SkyNews, Sunrise and The Morning Show, as well as on the radio and in print media. Claire is on the board of a financial services company and is also a PhD candidate, studying the impact of Gen Z and work.
Rufus Black, Vice Chancellor, University of Tasmania
Rufus Black is the Vice Chancellor and President at the University of Tasmania. Previously, he was Master of Melbourne University’s Ormond College and an Enterprise Professor in the Department of Management and Marketing and a Principal Fellow in the Department of Philosophy at the University of Melbourne. Rufus’ private sector experience includes nine years as a partner at McKinsey and Company, serving clients in Australia and Asia, and as a Director for national law firm Corrs Chambers Westgarth.
Rufus’ educational and social sector experience includes being the President of Museums Victoria, the Deputy Chancellor of Victoria University, the founding Chair of the Teach for Australia Board, a Director of the New York based Teach for All and a Director of the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research. He has worked extensively for government at Federal and State levels. He was a Board Member of Innovation Science Australia, conducted the Black Review into the Department of Defence and the Prime Minister’s Independent Review of the Australian Intelligence Community and was the Strategic Advisor to the Secretary of Education in Victoria. Rufus holds degrees in law, politics, economics, ethics and theology from the University of Melbourne and Oxford University, where he studied as a Rhodes Scholar.
Duncan Armstrong, Olympian, Sports Presenter and Public Speaker
Duncan approaches everything with the same zestful attitude that saw him become a household name at 20 years of age with his upset win in the 200 freestyle at the Seoul Olympics in 1988. It is this same attitude, coupled with his enthusiasm and desire to help others that enables Duncan to inspire people of all ages and professions to strive to achieve their own personal and corporate goals.
Coached by the unstoppable Laurie Lawrence, Duncan’s success in the pool led him to become Young Australian of the Year and honoured with the order of Australia medal. Since retiring from international swimming Duncan has enjoyed several careers and currently works for long-term partner Telstra.
A noted speaker, workshop leader, and author, Dr Heischman is an instructor in Doctor of Ministry studies at Virginia Theological Seminary, Alexandria, Virginia. His most recent publication is the book, Good Influence: Teaching the Wisdom of Adulthood, which focuses on the role that adults—be they parents or educators—play in the development of young people.
The 2006 recipient of NAES’ John D. Verdery Award for outstanding service to Episcopal schools and the association, Dr Heischman has also served on the boards of an Association of Independent Schools, the Religious Education Association, the Berkeley Divinity School at Yale, and a number of independent and Episcopal schools. He is currently president of the board of the Council for American Private Education, an association of private school organizations of which NAES is a founding member.
Dr Heischman’s extensive academic studies include a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1973 before attending Jesus College, University of Cambridge where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in theology and a Master of Arts degree. He earned a master of sacred theology degree from Yale Divinity School in 1976 and in 1987 he was awarded a Doctor of Ministry degree from Princeton Theological Seminary. He was also awarded a Doctor of Divinity degree, honoris causa, from Berkeley Divinity School at Yale, in 2011 in recognition of his many years of distinguished service to Episcopal schools and universities.