Keynote Speakers
Keynote speakers are currently being obtained for the 2007 TEMC. The following have been confirmed.
Dr Allan Hawke
Dr Allan Hawke BSc (Hons), PhD (ANU) FAICD, FAIM, FIPAA, was born in Canberra and educated at Queanbeyan High School and the Australian National University, where he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree with 1st Class Honours and the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Dr Hawke is a former Secretary to the Departments of Veterans’ Affairs, Transport and Regional Services, and Defence. He served as Australian High Commissioner to New Zealand from 6 August 2003 to 31 January 2006. Dr Hawke took up his appointment as Chancellor of the Australian National University on 4 February 2006.
Dr Hawke will give a presentation on ‘Future Leadership’, and views leadership as being as much about art as science. The lessons behind the basic approach are timeless, yet most organizations and individuals are crying out for real leadership. Dr Hawke’s keynote address will provide pointers for best practice and high performance.
Dr Colin Adrian
Dr Adrian was appointed Chief Executive of the Canberra Institute of Technology in August 2006. He is also Chair of the Board of CIT Solutions Pty Ltd; wholly owned by CIT to pursue the Institute’s commercial activities. In November 2006 he was appointed to the ACT Skills Commission.
Previously he was the Deputy Chief Executive, ACT Department of Disability, Housing and Community Services. He formerly held a senior executive position in the ACT Department of Urban Services and was head of Environment ACT, the ACT Government’s Nature Conservation and Environment Protection Agency. He was with the ACT Planning and Land Authority in 2003, where he held the position of Chief Executive for a period of 3 months, establishing the new Authority pending the arrival of the permanent Chief Executive
Dr. Keith Suter
Dr Keith Suter is a conference speaker and social commentator with particular expertise in strategic planning. As Foreign Affairs Editor on Channel 7’s ‘Sunrise’ program, Keith is the resident expert on international issues affecting Australian business and society. His commentary reflects the wealth of experience he has in a variety of fields. Keith is a Senior Fellow of the Global Business Network Australia and the Executive Director of National Goals and Directions – Keith’s thinking is a valuable addition to this think tank working on Australia’s future. He is also a Consultant on Social Policy at Wesley Mission, Consultant to Aged and Community Services (NSW), Health Services Association (NSW) and the Conflict Resolution Network, together with his other roles, including Chairperson, Environment Committee, Australian Institute of Company Directors; Chairperson, International Humanitarian Law Committee of Australian Red Cross (NSW); Chairperson, International Commission of Jurists (NSW) and Director of Studies, International Law Association (Australian Branch).
Mr Max Kerr
Max Kerr joined the Tertiary Education Commission when it was set up at the beginning of 2003 and has since had a number of roles, especially ones connected to Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics. For several years he has overseen the TEC’s assessment of ITP profiles and he has worked with many ITPs in the development of their charters, profiles, major funding applications and related matters. He has led the TEC’s consultation with the ITP sector throughout the development of the current tertiary education reforms. Outside the ITP sector, he has also worked extensively with Te Wananga O Aotearoa negotiating their profile in 2005, and with several universities to develop successful proposals for funding through the Partnerships for Excellence Programme.
Prior to joining the TEC, he was the chief executive of Skill New Zealand for 12 years , a government funding agency specifically focused on supporting industry training and foundation education programmes. Throughout the 1980’s he worked in the Department of Labour in policy roles linked to employment and vocational training.
Janine Shepard
Janine Shepherd was a champion cross-country skier in training for the Winter Olympics when her life was suddenly and irrevocably altered during a training bicycle ride to the Blue Mountains. A truck hit Janine Shepherd and shattered her body as well as her dream of Olympic representation.
Her neck and back were broken in four places, and her right arm, collarbone and five ribs were fractured. Her right leg had been ripped open; she had sustained head injuries and massive internal injuries. She had severe lacerations to her abdominal area and had lost five litres of blood. The bleeding alone was enough to kill her.
Doctors warned her parents that she was not expected to survive her ordeal. Even if by some small chance she recovered, she would never walk again.
But Janine Shepherd had a determination and courage that were crucial to her survival. Coming to terms with her shattered Olympic dreams, refusing to believe what expert medical staff were telling her about her chances of any kind of recovery, Janine focused every sinew of her being on healing her broken body and crushed morale.
A fighting spirit was rekindled in Shepherd as she watched small planes flying overhead. She made a decision: “If I can’t walk, I’ll fly.” And fly she did. While still covered in a full body plaster cast, Janine Shepherd was lifted into an aircraft for her first flight. That moment changed her life forever.
Within a year she had her private pilot’s licence. Despite remaining a partial paraplegic and with many physical challenges still ahead, she battled on to gain her commercial pilot's licence, her Instrument Rating, her Twin Engine Rating and her Instructors Rating. She then went on to become a fully qualified aerobatics instructor.
Pushing the limits became familiar to Janine Shepherd. While she gained her flying credentials, she also pushed her body to mend itself, forcing her legs to walk again, step by painful step. Although doctors said she would never have children, Janine believes her greatest achievement is the three young children she now has. She has since gone on to finish her University degree in Physical Education.
Janine’s story of defying the odds and winning is both moving and inspiring.
Susan Jeanes
Susan Jeanes is the Chief Executive Officer of the Renewable Energy Generators of Australia (REGA). 
Susan has previously worked in the political arena, serving in the Federal Parliament as the Member for Kingston and working as an Advisor to the former Environment and Heritage Minister Robert Hill on climate change and energy policy. She has also worked for a number of Shadow Ministers in various portfolio areas prior to the election of the Howard Government in 1996.
Susan has tertiary qualifications in the areas of Australian politics, political theory and environmentalism and she produces occasional columns as a political commentator. She is also a Director of the Climate Institute.
Susan and her family live in Adelaide which has more than its fair share of glorious beaches, beautifully positioned wineries and boutique restaurants.
