Featured Speakers

Martin Bean is a trusted thought leader dedicated to shaping the future of leadership, education, and work. As the co-author of Toolkit for Turbulence, Martin provides leaders with essential tools and strategies to navigate change, seize opportunities, and build resilient teams. As CEO of The Bean Centre, he forges partnerships with innovative experts, cutting-edge technology companies, and visionary executives to help create a future that works.

Currently a Professor at the University of New South Wales, Martin's expertise focuses on the evolving landscapes of work, leadership, and lifelong learning. He shares his insights as a Group Chair and mentor at Mentor List, connecting with Australia's brightest executive minds.

Martin's contributions to leadership and education have been widely recognised. He has received prestigious honours, including an Honorary Doctor of Laws from the University of London and the title of Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for his services to higher education.

Ryan is the Vice President of Global Academic Strategy at Instructure, where he works to enhance the academic experience for educators and learners, worldwide. With over two decades in the edtech world, Ryan has experience with every major technology platform that institutions use to deliver education, from the LMS to the SIS, and all the systems in between. A well-known thought leader in the edtech industry, Ryan is a podcast co-host, frequent media spokesperson, and speaker at industry conferences and webinars. Ryan earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Relations/Communications from the University of Utah and certificates in Data-Driven Marketing and Brand Management from eCornell.

Ruth Thornton is the Global Product Manager for the Asia Pacific region at Instructure and has moved to this role following 3 years supporting Canvas customers across our vocational education, K12 and Higher Education sectors as a Senior Customer Success Manager. During this time, Ruth worked in strategic partnership with numerous VET organisations across ANZ to ensure successful adoption and enhanced utilisation of the LMS specific to each unique requirement and use case.

Prior to her time at Instructure, Ruth was responsible for program coordination and online learning for a VET organisation based in Melbourne, which also included teaching from and administration of the Canvas LMS. Ruth is eager to be a part of improving access to educational opportunities for all as well as helping educators make meaningful learnings experiences.