Professor Louden is an Emeritus Professor of Education at the University of Western Australia, where he was Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Dean of Education. Professor Louden has served as part of the expert panel for a number of nationwide educational reviews, including two reviews of the NAPLAN assessment program.
Professor Louden holds a PhD from the University of Toronto and arts and education degrees from the University of Western Australia and Murdoch University. He is a Fellow of the Australian College of Educators and was appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia for services to education. He is a respected educational leader in Australia.
Mr Blackman leads Good Sammy, an iconic Western Australian charity that operates social enterprises in which over 630 people work to create employment opportunities for people with disability. His previous senior executive roles have been in the WA State Government, in private equity and in the resource sector. Mr Blackman’s passion is working in commercial environments to drive improved outcomes for vulnerable people, which is informed by his experience as a father of a child with a rare disease. He holds a number of Board roles including:
- Chair, Ministerial Advisory Council on Disability
- Non-Executive Director, Rare Voices Australia
- Non-Executive Director, Therapy Focus
- Member, Angelman Syndrome Association Australia
- Member, Future Health Research and Innovation Advisory Council
- President, Leederville Sporting Club
- Non-Executive Director, Charitable Recycling Australia.
Ms Dawson is the Deputy Director General of Industry, Science and Innovation for the Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation. With more than 25 years of experience working in large Australian and multinational organisations across the resources and utilities sectors. Ms Dawson has led a range of areas including operations, community development, health safety and environment, and corporate affairs.
Ms Dawson has been chair of the Minerals Council of Australia Indigenous Community of Practice and a mentor with Women in Mining WA and holds a Bachelor of Physical Education and Master of Education from the University of Western Australia.
Mr Garstone is the Chief Executive Officer of the Kimberley Land Council, where he is committed to providing leadership and negotiating opportunities that deliver sustainable outcomes for the next generation of Aboriginal people in the Kimberley region and beyond. During his time with the Kimberley Land Council, Mr Garstone attended the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.
Mr Garstone is a Bardi man and has spent the majority of his working life within the Indigenous sector, and is committed to developing genuine relationships and partnerships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people through mutual understanding, knowledge sharing and respect.
Ms Gray is the Principal of Frederick Irwin Anglican School in Mandurah. She was previously the Principal of Sapphire Coast Anglican College in Bega, NSW. She holds a Bachelor of Training and Development, a Graduate Diploma of Education and a Master of Education from Edith Cowan University.
Ms Gray has been a teacher in both Primary and Secondary settings, a cross-sectoral leader and supported building teacher quality. Tracey is an experienced educator and trainer and seeks to support all students and teachers to flourish and be the best they can be.
Professor Klinken is a leading medical research scientist in WA and was appointed as Western Australia’s Chief Scientist in 2014. He holds a PhD from the University of Western Australia and has conducted research at the US National Institutes of Health in Washington, and the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute in Melbourne.
Professor Klinken was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia in 2017. Professor Klinken’s previous roles have included Professor in Clinical Biochemistry at the University of Western Australia and Director of Research at the Royal Perth Hospital. Professor Klinken is passionate about ensuring the education system provides opportunities for all students in a rapidly changing world.
Mr Palandri was first appointed to Multiplex in 1990, holding various roles across construction, engineering, and development before being appointed as Regional Managing Director in 2009. In this role, Mr Palandri has taken on responsibility for Multiplex’s Western Australian projects, including overseeing high-profile construction projects such as the Fiona Stanley Hospital and Optus Stadium.
Mr Palandri has also been the Board Chair of Scitech since 2021. Mr Palandri is committed to elevating STEM literacy across Western Australia and is working with help from Scitech to achieve this through greater investment from industry and government agencies.
Emeritus Professor Taggart is the Chair of the Tertiary Institutions Service Centre, Western Australia. Professor Taggart received his PhD from the Ohio State University and had an extensive research career in teacher education, health and physical education and sports education.
Professor Taggart’s previous roles include Vice Chancellor and Provost at Murdoch University. As Provost, he led and supported 8 academic schools, provided leadership for domestic student recruitment and led local and regional engagement. Professor Taggart has led the MAP4U social inclusion project to increase higher education participation and attainment for low SES, regional and remote students, and is currently the Deputy Chair of the Board at Coodanup College since 2012.
Ms Wallace is the Executive Director of Policy Planning and Innovation at the Department of Training and Workforce Development. She is responsible for the development of policy, planning and research to inform strategic direction and funding of skills and workforce development, training services and intergovernmental agreements. This includes policy for Vocational Education and Training (VET) delivered to secondary schools and courses for delivery to secondary students, which provide industry-supported senior secondary pathway options.
Ms Wallace is also responsible for the Year 9 Career Taster Program, which provides practical industry experiences and early career discovery for students around the State. Ms Wallace has more than 20 years of VET sector experience, including leading a review of Guidelines for Entry to Full-time courses at TAFE in collaboration with TAFE colleges and school sectors, and also has experience in the school education sector.
Professor Whitehouse is the Angela Wright Bennett Professor of Autism Research at the Telethon Kids Institute and Professor of Autism Research at the University of Western Australia. He leads a large team of clinicians and researchers at the Telethon Kids Institute and is an advisor to State and Commonwealth Governments on policies relating to children on the autism spectrum.
Professor Whitehouse also chaired the committee that generated Australia’s first national guidelines for autism diagnosis and autism therapies. Professor Whitehouse has been awarded the prestigious scientific award, the Eureka Prize, and was a 2023 Western Australian of the Year award winner.