Mary O’Kane is Chair of the NSW Independent Planning Commission, a company director, and Executive Chairman of O’Kane Associates, a Sydney-based consulting practice specialising in government reviews. She was NSW Chief Scientist & Engineer from 2008-2018; Vice-Chancellor of the University of Adelaide from 1996-2001; Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) at Adelaide from 1994-1996; and Dean of the Faculty of Information Sciences & Engineering at the University of Canberra from 1990-94. Mary has served on several boards and committees in the public and private sectors, especially related to innovation, education, energy, engineering, health, Antarctica, ICT and research. She is currently Chair of the boards of Aurora Energy Pty Ltd and Sydney Health Partners and is a member of the boards of AEMO Services Ltd and the Silverchain Group.

I co-founded HEDx as content and advisory services that are changing higher education for good. I am a leader and innovator in the higher education sector with experience as a Deputy Vice Chancellor of Engagement and Executive Dean of STEM, Design, Built Environment and Business disciplines. I have a passion for strategy, culture, leadership, industry engagement and advancement. I have academic and executive experience of universities in Europe, Asia and Australia and currently work with the leading global universities. I am co-author of two books on the New Leadership Agenda and the New Learning Economy outlining principles and strategies that will inform the future of higher education.

Hilary is Director and Principal of Hilary Winchester Pty Ltd, specialising in Higher Education Quality Assurance, audits, reviews and compliance assessment. Hilary was the recipient of the 2011 Australian Higher Education Quality Award and was a finalist in the Telstra Business Women’s Awards 2016 (Queensland). Hilary was Provost at CQUniversity from 2012-2016, including a period as Interim Vice-Chancellor July-October 2016. Her portfolio included the Offices of Research, Learning & Teaching and Indigenous Engagement, and all six higher education schools. Results in the Australian Research Council’s Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) initiative improved dramatically under her leadership. Hilary’s previous senior appointments include Pro Vice Chancellor: Strategy & Planning at the University of South Australia, Pro Vice Chancellor (Academic) at Flinders University, and President of Academic Senate at the University of Newcastle. In recognition of these achievements, Hilary has been awarded the title of Emeritus Professor of the University of South Australia and of CQUniversity. She was an AUQA auditor for 10 years and has been a panel member for the Australian Research Council and an assessor for the former Australian Learning & Teaching Council. She is an international auditor for quality agencies in Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, and the Middle East. Hilary has been co-convenor of the group of Executive Women affiliated to and supported by Universities Australia. In this role, she spear-headed the development of the sector-wide Second Action Plan for Women, which established targets for women’s participation in senior roles in Universities.