Kelly Humphrey is the inaugural Pro Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous) at Australian Catholic University (ACU). Kelly is a proud Gomeroi woman who is deeply committed to supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in achieving their chosen futures. With degrees in education and theology, Kelly has developed a strong foundation in teaching, Aboriginal education, educational policy and leadership within Catholic and public school systems. Her research, which focuses on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander school leaders and leadership, reflects her dedication to advancing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education and leadership.

KEYNOTE Associate Professor Donna Murray IAHA | CEO

Donna is a proud Wiradjuri and Wonnarua woman of the Marrmabidya/Kalari rivers (paternal grandfather’s kinship) and Gringai Clan of the Hunter Valley region (paternal grandmother’s kinship) in NSW. She is an Adjunct Associate Professor (Industry) at the University of Technology, Sydney and has formal qualifications in community development, management, and Indigenous governance. Donna is the 2021 Impact 25 Award winner with Pro Bono Australia, and is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (MAICD). She is the current Board Chair of Thirrili Ltd and Board Director of Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia.

Donna is a committed Indigenous community development and Indigenous nation-building practitioner, working to support and assert the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, empowering cultural governance and leadership and embedding Indigenous

Associate Professor Jessica Russ-Smith
ACU | Deputy Head School, School of Allied Health (ACT) 

Associate Professor Jessica Russ-Smith (she/her) is a sovereign Wiradyuri Wambuul woman. She is an Associate Professor if Social Work, Assistant Deputy Head of the School of Allied Health, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Curriculum and Pedagogy Co-ordinator of Social Work, and Chair of the Indigenous Research Ethics Advisory Panel at ACU. She is also an elected non-executive Director for the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW). Throughout her career, she has been committed to creating decolonising, critical learning and practice spaces for students, staff and practitioners which honour and are guided by First Nations sovereign knowledges. Jess’s research and teaching relates to Indigenous sovereignty, decolonising higher education and social work, critical disability justice, ethics and AI. Jess is a member of IAHA Research Advisory Committee, the Speech Pathology Australia (SPA) First Nations Advisory Committee, and is a two-time University Medallist.

Associate Professor Michael Reynolds 
ACU | Deputy Head of School, School of Allied Health (NSW) 

Associate Professor Michael Reynolds is based at ACU’s North Sydney Campus on Cammeraygal Country. He holds positions as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Curriculum and Pedagogy Coordinator (Physiotherapy) and Deputy Head of the School of Allied Health (NSW). He is also Chair Elect of the Australian Physiotherapy Council, the accreditation and assessment body for physiotherapy in Australia. Michael is completing his PhD at ACU with the Institute for Positive Psychology and Education (IPPE), focusing on enablers of success for Indigenous Australians’ university completion, and how universities can create environments to ensure this success. Michael, a Wiradjuri man, is a strong advocate for First Nations Peoples within the physiotherapy profession in Australia. He was awarded the Indigenous Allied Health Australia Local Champion Award (2023) and Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) NSW Branch Award (2018) in recognition of his contribution to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health.