A Gurang Gurang / Taribelang Bunda man and is the Institute’s founder and CEO. His career spans more than 30 years in positive education reform for Indigenous students based on the Stronger Smarter Philosophy.

Chris is a highly sought-after advisor on Education, Indigenous policy reform and strategy and is well respected in First Nations communities across Australia. Prior to returning to the role of CEO in 2025, he was the Director General of numerous Queensland Government Departments including the Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships and the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries. Other roles performed by Dr Sarra include a Professor of Education with the University of Canberra and Co-Chair of the Prime Minister’s Indigenous Advisory Committee. Throughout his career he has received numerous honours including NAIDOC Person of the Year 2016, Queenslander of the Year, Australian of the Year finalist, NRL Commissioner. Dr Sarra is also a 2018 New York Marathon finisher.

A Yawuru man, Peter Yu is a highly respected First Nations leader and advocate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander rights, with decades of experience shaping public policy, governance, and national dialogue. Known for his thoughtful and principled leadership, Peter is deeply committed to practical, community-led change grounded in truth and long-term outcomes.

In his keynote, Peter will offer grounded insights into what sovereignty can mean in practice beyond symbolism, challenge assumptions shaping the national conversation, and bring clarity on what real progress requires — including trust, integrity, and outcomes that endure.

A world champion marathon runner, four-time Olympian, Australian of the Year, and a renowned sports leader and health advocate who inspires with insights on resilience and high performance.

A strategic Indigenous educator and leader working collectively to drive lasting systemic change to build a STEM ecosystem where young Indigenous women are enabled to shine as leaders, innovators and game-changers to help shape the future we all need. Kim is the Group Leader for Young People at the CSIRO and Executive Manager of the Young Indigenous Women’s STEM Academy.

A Business Intelligence officer who graduated with a Bachelor of Information Technology (with Distinction), specialising in Networking, Security, and Applied Data Science. Sabrina is a Co-Chair of the Steering Committee for the Young Indigenous Women’s STEM Academy, and she aspires to merge data-driven strategy with cultural leadership to empower the next generation of First Nations innovators.

As the first Indigenous Australian to complete all seven major world marathons and Chief Officer of the Indigenous Marathon Foundation, he champions health, resilience, and transformative leadership for First Nations communities.

Boyd McLean is Co-Principal of Cherbourg State School and has dedicated 25 years to education. Boyd’s leadership philosophy centres on strong community partnerships, cohesive team development, and differentiated progression pathways that respond to the diverse needs of every learner. He is committed to building collective teacher efficacy and ensuring that systems, structures, and supports are intentionally designed with all stakeholders to maximise both engagement and academic growth for all students.

A Darumbal and South Sea Islander woman, Hayley is a leading advocate for reimagining education through community and relationality. As CEO of NIYEC and Co-Chair of Learning Creates Australia, she brings over a decade of experience in Indigenous policy and global advocacy. Hayley’s work focuses on convening collectives and building the capacity of young people to drive systemic change and educational sovereignty.

Frank Malone, affectionately known as Pop Frank, is a respected school and community Elder and Co-Principal of Cherbourg State School. For over 26 years, Pop Frank has championed the belief that every child can and will succeed when surrounded by high expectations and strong cultural identity. His enduring commitment to collective voice ensures that Elders, families, and community leaders play an active role in shaping the school’s direction. Pop Frank’s leadership is grounded in cultural strength, relational trust, and a deep responsibility to future generations.

Holds a Bachelor of Biotechnology (Honours) and is currently undertaking a PhD. Keely is a researcher specialising in Australian native plants, focusing on ethical commercialisation, Indigenous partnerships, and plant profiling across food, health, and cosmetic applications. Keely is also a Co-Chair of the Steering Committee for the Young Indigenous Women’s STEM Academy.

Cassie Ryan has been part of the Stronger Smarter Institute Service Delivery team for over 10 years, working closely with schools and education systems to create the best possible opportunities for all students. She is passionate about strengthening leadership, embedding culturally responsive practice, and supporting systemic change that benefits young people and their communities.

Cassie leads the Teachers of STEM Initiative and brings a deep commitment to community empowerment, working alongside communities to ensure programs are grounded in local strengths, aspirations, and knowledge.

A proud Kamilaroi woman, Cassie is a descendant of the Weatherall family. She brings extensive knowledge, professional experience, and relational leadership to her work, ensuring that Stronger Smarter approaches honour First Nations voices, leadership, and ways of knowing, being, and doing

Rosalyn Thomas is a Dunghutti woman from Kempsey on the mid-north coast of NSW, who grew up and lives on Darug and Gundungurra Country in the Blue Mountains.

Rosalyn is Manager: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education at Independent Schools NSW, leading the Waratah Project across 45 schools along with providing support to all NSW independent schools to enable culturally responsive education for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and support teachers to build confidence to weave Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander content across all curriculum areas.

With 12 years’ experience teaching in schools across Western Sydney in NSW, Rosalyn has taught in both mainstream and special needs classes, along with holding key school leadership and executive positions.

Rosalyn has a Master of Educational Leadership and a recipient of the NSW Quality Teaching Award for her work in building high-expectation relationships with Aboriginal students and their families within the Special Education context.

A proud Torres Strait Islander woman, who graduated with a Bachelor of Biomedical Science (cell biology), and is a Co-Chair of the Steering Committee for the Young Indigenous Women’s STEM Academy. Tahnee is passionate about Indigenous leadership, STEM equity, and creating pathways for First Nations women.

Nathan Brennan is a Gumbaynggirr, Bundjalung and Gamilaraay man residing in Grafton who specialises in Aboriginal-led land management through his work with Country Needs People. He is committed to strengthening community-led approaches that support Caring for Country and long-term outcomes for Aboriginal communities. 

Additional to working nationally with Aboriginal rangers and Indigenous Protected Areas (IPAs), his work has included helping establish the Gumbaynggirr Giingana Freedom School, the first Aboriginal bilingual school in New South Wales, and currently working with the Pertame community in Central Australia to help establish their own language immersion school. Across his work, Nathan is driven by a strong commitment to self-determination, cultural revitalisation and supporting communities to bring their own visions for Country, language, and education to fruition.

Sharon Davis (they/them) is a non-binary Bardi and Kija person from the Kimberley in Western Australia and the inaugural CEO of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Corporation. With education degrees from the University of Notre Dame Broome and the University of Oxford, they have worked for over a decade in First Nations education, leading key initiatives at both national and state levels.

Sharon currently serves on the boards of Reconciliation Australia and the Aurora Education Foundation and is an Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Western Australia.

Kevin is one of Australia’s most established and popular Aboriginal comedians with a long list of Australian TV credits. He is a proud Aboriginal man from the Ngarrindjeri Nation of the lower River Murray, Lakes and Coorong region in South Australia.

A high-energy performer, Kevin is sharp, likeable, silly and measured; mixing keen observational standup with joyfully ridiculous physical comedy. His engaging brand of comedy warmly invites both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal audiences to share his journey, his culture, his life.

Renowned journalist and advocate who brings decades of global insight and a profound commitment to truth telling, offering a unique perspective on the intersection of human rights and systemic change.