Dr Carrington was the Australian Institute of Management Business Leader of the year in 2016 and a finalist in the Qld Philanthropist of the Year 2016, 2018 and 2019. He was the Harvard Club of Australia Fellow for 2013. In June 2018 last he was one of only 22 Business Leaders selected from around the world to attend the London School of Business International Leaders Program in London. He has worked in schools as diverse as Cunnamulla and London. 

Neil recently stepped down after 10 years as the CEO of a national charity ‘ACT For Kids,’ an organisation dedicated to supporting abused and neglected children. He most recently was the Director of the Leadership Centre for the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) Dr Carrington was the Foundation Director of Learning and Organizational Development for Mater Health Services in Brisbane Australia (a group of seven hospitals). Dr Carrington spent over 3 years as Queensland University of Technology’s Director of Teaching and Learning with university wide responsibility for teaching quality, staff development and online learning services for over 40 000 students. Dr Carrington has held educational academic and leadership positions at a number of universities including, the University of New England and the University of Western Sydney. 

He has presented at over 1900 conferences throughout Australia, the UK, Middle East, USA, NZ and across Asia. His featured presentation in the business strand of the ‘World Conference on Thinking’ in Malaysia sold out. He was invited to work with the New Zealand Elite Coaching Academy and the coach of the All Blacks commented Neil’s leadership workshop was the best he had ever attended. His PhD into perceptions of intelligence was judged one of the largest and most rigorous studies of its type ever undertaken in Australia.

Find out more by visiting the Conference Program.

David, a Marist Brother, is the foundation Dean of the La Salle Academy at the Australian Catholic University (ACU). La Salle has responsibility for programs, research and services that the university offers in the areas of Educational Leadership and Governance, Faith Formation and Religious Education. He took up this position after thirty years in Catholic schools, many as a school principal. David’s doctoral studies were in theology with a focus on formation for leadership.

David is a member of a number of school and diocesan boards and committees. He teaches in post graduate programs at ACU in RE and leadership and offers national and international workshops for Catholic educators. He also offers research and consultancy services across the Catholic education sector including school and system reviews and support in curriculum design. 

Among his international engagements was the leadership of a team that delivered a formation program for leaders in Catholic schools across twenty-two countries in Africa. He is continuing similar work across Melanesia and the Pacific and also runs leadership formation programs in the UK and Italy. In 2023, the Australian Council for Educational Leaders awarded David The Dr Paul Brock Medal for his contribution to the promotion of excellence in educational leadership.

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Dallas McInerney is the Chief Executive Officer of Catholic Schools NSW Ltd, the System Authority for the State’s 550 Catholic Schools. He is a cabinet appointee to the Board of the NSW Education Standards Authority. 

Dallas previously held senior roles in the private sector and in Government. 

He is an alumnus of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) Young Leaders Programme with delegations through Asia; prior to this, he interned for H.E Kofi Annan, Secretary – General of the United Nations in New York. He holds Masters degrees from the Universities of Sydney and Oxford.

Find out more by visiting the Conference Program.

Daniela Falecki, founder of Teacher Wellbeing, is an international speaker, author, and the “keep-it-real” teacher, known for her high-energy, engaging presentations that leave audiences laughing and thinking. With over 30 years of experience in Australian schools and a background in Positive Psychology and Coaching Psychology, Daniela empowers educators globally to enhance their wellbeing. She holds a Master’s in Education (Leadership) and has lectured at Sydney University and Western Sydney university where she was named Lecturer of the Year. She is a licensed Mental Toughness practitioner and certified Executive Coach, Daniela is committed to supporting educators in thriving both personally and professionally.

Find out more by visiting the Conference Program.