Meet Our Speakers

The ACLE 2025 Conference is pleased to welcome our Keynote & Concurrent Speakers.

As new speakers are confirmed, they will be updated here, so check back soon. Each speaker will bring a unique perspective, knowledge, and experience. So don’t miss the opportunity to hear from these leaders within their respective fields.

Keynote Speakers

Graham Catt

Graham Catt is the Chief Executive Officer of Independent Schools Australia, the national peak body for Independent Schools. His diverse career includes 20 years’ experience as a senior leader in professional associations and industry bodies, in sectors including education, business, health, agriculture and animal health.

After an early career in communications, Graham co-founded and grew a successful agency before moving to join the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) in a leadership role. Prior to joining ISA in 2023 he has been CEO of the Canberra Business Chamber, the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia, and the Australian Veterinary Association.

Hugh van Cuylenburg

Hugh has been working in education for over 15 years, teaching both primary and secondary in a range of educational settings. The highlight of his teaching career was the year he spent in the far north of India volunteering and living at an underprivileged school in the Himalayas. It was here that he discovered resilience in its purest form. Inspired by this experience Hugh returned to Melbourne and commenced working on his own program for schools.

‘The Resilience Project’ was born. Having completed his post graduate studies, looking at resilience and wellbeing, Hugh has developed and facilitated programs for over 900 schools Australia wide.

In 2015, the National Rugby League asked Hugh to run workshops at every club in the competition. Since then, he has worked with the Australian Cricket Team, the Australian Netball Team, the Australian Women’s Soccer Team, The Jillaroos and 10 AFL teams.

Rev. Dr. Sarah Wilson

Rev. Dr. Sarah Hinlicky Wilson is a Lutheran pastor from the United States who has spent many years living in Slovakia, France, and Japan. She has served as Consultant to the Lutheran World Federation’s dialogues with Eastern Orthodox and Pentecostal churches. The Founder of Thornbush Press, she has written, edited, and contributed to numerous books of both theology and fiction and has published hundreds of articles. She hosts the podcasts Queen of the Sciences and Sarah Hinlicky Wilson Stories, and writes the e-newsletter Theology & a Recipe.

Shyam Barr

Dr Shyam Barr is a highly regarded educator and researcher dedicated to advancing students’ self-regulated learning. Building on a career as a secondary school teacher and educational leader, he currently works as a Professional Associate at the University of Canberra leading initiatives that bridge research and practice.

Shyam is the author of the book “Educate to Self-Regulate: Empowering Learners for Lifelong Success,” and is the co-host of the podcast “Educate to Self-Regulate,” which is listened to in over 40 countries.

He has received numerous awards for his contributions to education throughout his career. Last year, the Australian Council for Educational Leaders (ACEL) selected him as a New Voice Scholar for Educational Leadership Research, while The Educator listed him one of the Most Influential Educators in Australia.

Tod Bolsinger

Tod Bolsinger, MDiv, PhD, the co-founder and principal of AE Sloan Leadership, Inc, an executive coaching and consulting firm that works with church, non-profit, university, and marketplace leaders in leading change. He is also the Executive Director of the De Pree Center Church Leadership Institute, a Senior Fellow of the De Pree Center for Leadership, Associate Professor of Leadership Formation at Fuller Theological Seminary, was the founder of the Fuller Leadership Platform, and served as a Vice President of Fuller Seminary for six years. Prior to his educational career, he served as a pastor for 27 years.

Tod is the author of nine books, including the Outreach Magazine Resource of the Year in pastoral leadership, Canoeing the Mountains: Christian Leadership in Uncharted Territory, the Christian Book Award Finalist, Tempered Resilience: How Leaders are Formed in the Crucible of Change, and the Practicing Change Series.

He can be reached at bolsinger@aesloanleadership.com