IEAA Learning Abroad Forum 2026

Johan is the Senior Manager, Global Sponsorship and Mobility at The University of Queensland. This portfolio for instance includes sponsored students, Australia Awards, NCP and a range of international scholarships. Johan brings a wealth of knowledge having previously worked at The Australian National University in the international portfolio for over 10 years, for the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Swedish Department of Defence and as Director, Study Canberra for the ACT Government. Johan has studied at Lund University, University of Queensland, Harvard University, Griffith University and most recently at The Australian National University. He has received several industry accolades for his contribution to the international education sector and Johan is an IEAA Associate Fellow.

Filiz Block is the ANZ Partner Development Director for Acumen, bringing over two decades of leadership experience in higher education across Australia, New Zealand, UK, USA, and Asia. With deep expertise in international admissions operations and student administration systems, Filiz has held key positions including Head of ANZ Admissions and Operations at Study Group and various senior management roles at UNSW Sydney. Her management consulting background with global firms PwC Consulting and IBM Global has established her as a transformation specialist, where she excelled as a business analyst, team leader, and process improvement expert. Filiz has successfully designed and implemented Student Administration, Finance, HR, and CRM systems for a prestigious portfolio of clients including the University of Sydney, Singapore Management University, California State University, University of Adelaide, University of Newcastle, USQ, Qantas, and Merrill Lynch. Filiz holds a Bachelor of Economics degree from UNSW and an MBA(Executive) from the Australian Graduate School of Management.

Macarena Gordillo de Paz is an educator, researcher and intercultural learning specialist with a passion for supporting students navigate the world with curiosity and confidence. She holds a PhD from the University of Sydney, a Master’s in Education from the Complutense University of Madrid and a postgraduate in Didactics of Spanish as a Foreign Language from the Autonomous University of Barcelona. For over sixteen years, Macarena has taught International Studies in Australia, drawing on her expertise in curriculum design, cultural theory and innovative pedagogy to create an engaging education environment that inspires students’ lifelong journey. At the University of Technology Sydney, she coordinates International Intensive Electives, Global Professional and Contemporary Spain, teaches Intercultural Communication and supervises In-Country Study and Fieldwork Projects in Spain and Australia. Macarena’s research explores cultural and linguistic studies, intercultural education and contemporary Spanish identity. Her work is grounded in creative, culturally embedded teaching that empowers learners to engage confidently and meaningfully in global contexts. Additionally, her innovative approaches and research have led her to hold conferences in Australia, Beijing, Germany, Hong Kong, Lithuania and Spain.

I have been working in International Education for over 15 years. Growing up in Germany, my passion to support others in learning abroad grew exponentially after my own study abroad in Sydney. After graduating from university and working for a German Education Agent, I returned to Australia in 2011 for a final Aussie experience. Today I am looking after the International Student Experience and Global Learning Team at UWA.

Phil has been IEAA's Chief Executive Officer since November 2011. Previously, he was a Member of the Victorian State Parliament (1988–2006), Minister for Tertiary Education, Training and Multicultural Affairs (1996–1999) and Deputy Leader of the Opposition (2002–2006). Since retiring from politics, Phil worked at Stott’s Business College and Cambridge International College. Phil is the Chairman of the Roundtable of International Education Peak Body CEOs and a member of the Tuition Protection Service Board. Phil is also a Board member of the Bennelong Philanthropic Foundation and the Bangarra Group Board.

Lyndon Iles is the Senior Manager for Global Programs at The Australian National University (ANU). He is an experienced and innovative learning abroad practitioner having worked in the sector for over 16 years. His background in Outdoor Education instilled in him a deep understanding of, and appreciation for the powerful potential of experiential education and established a solid foundation of practical skills in leadership, program development, group management, facilitation techniques, and risk management. Lyndon has also completed a Master of Education, specialising in International Education, and has been proud to have been involved in the development of academically recognised co-curricular learning programs, cultural engagement pathways, and facilitation frameworks supporting participant learning. He is currently partnering with the ANU McCusker Institute to develop an academic credit-bearing program for pre-departure preparation and cultural learning, empowering exchange students to become socially engaged global citizens.

Michelle Kofod is the Learning Abroad Lead at the University of New South Wales, and one of Australia's most experienced learning abroad specialists. Michelle is a forward thinker who is passionate about designing effective systems and processes to streamline learning abroad. For 15 years, Michelle has been one of the drivers of one of Australia's largest learning abroad programs and has pioneered many new approaches to managing both students and staff.

Dr Lucas Lixinski is Professor and Associate Dean (International) at the Faculty of Law & Justice, UNSW Sydney. He is also the leader for the Community of Practice for Latin America for the entire university. As a first-generation student in his native Brazil who migrated to Australia for a career in higher education, Lucas is very aware of and passionate about the transformative potential of international experiences in higher education.

Dr Amy McHugh is an Academic Facilitator at the National Centre for Cultural Competence at the University of Sydney, where she works across teaching, facilitation, course coordination, and research. Her doctoral research reconceptualised intercultural competence as a co-constructed and situated achievement, rather than as a skill individuals possess. More recently, her work has examined how AI might support critical self-reflection, anti-racism, and culturally responsive pedagogy without replacing the relational and human work these commitments require. Across her teaching, research, and facilitation, Amy is drawn to the messy, unfinished, and deeply human work of cultural competence: the moments when people rethink what they know, reconsider how they know it, and imagine more ethical ways of being and doing together.

Emily is the CEO and co-founder of MixAbroad, a global platform leveraging its partner network to comparatively measure the impact and experience of outward learning programs and internationalisation at home. A senior leader in international education, she has over 20 years of experience across sector advocacy, policy, research, partnerships, and institutional development. She has held diverse roles spanning student recruitment, transnational education, learning abroad, pathways, and admissions, working extensively with government, education institutions, and industry stakeholders across multiple global regions. As a consultant, Emily has advised EdTech firms, education agents, peak bodies, and universities, bringing deep expertise in student mobility, strategic engagement, and sector policy. During her tenure at Victoria University, she led the institution’s international engagement across the Indian Subcontinent, Middle East, Southeast Asia, Europe, and the Americas. Emily holds a business degree in marketing, is an alumna of the Asialink Leaders Program, and a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. She is a committed mentor to early-career professionals, having co-founded and developed the International Education Association of Australia (IEAA) Young Professionals Network. Emily is also and IEAA Senior Fellow, a standing member of the IEAA Data Group, serves on the Executive Board of the Climate Action Network for International Educators (CANIE), and co-authored the IEAA Learning Abroad in Australian Universities White Paper.

Associate Professor Tarun Panwar is Associate Dean, Fashion Enterprise & Technology in the School of Fashion & Textiles at RMIT University and a multiple award-winning academic leader recognised nationally and internationally for excellence in teaching, leadership, and innovation in fashion education. With over 30 years of experience in fashion and textiles, he is known for pioneering sustainable innovation in global fashion education and for advancing fashion enterprise through impactful research, curriculum development, and deep industry engagement. He leads RMIT’s enterprise- and sustainability-focused fashion portfolio, including the Bachelor of Fashion Enterprise, Bachelor of Fashion Sustainability, and Master of Fashion (Entrepreneurship), and has designed and delivered globally recognised, award-winning programs that shape fashion enterprise education in Australia and internationally. His research and thought leadership in sustainable fashion value chains, business models, and pedagogy have influenced sector best practice, with a strong focus on sustainability, circularity, and industry-partnered learning, and he has presented widely at leading international forums including the International Foundation of Fashion Technology Institutes (IFFTI).

Belinda Price is the Team Leader for Global Learning Inbound Programs at the University of Melbourne. Over the last 13 years, she has worked in all areas of mobility including in outbound semester and short-term programs and the full-degree international recruitment space. She currently leads the delivery of Melbourne’s study abroad and exchange program and is passionate about student diversification, creating pathways for under represented global students and building partnerships with overseas institutions.

Julia is the Education specialist for International SOS Australasia. Over the last 12 years Julia has partnered with Universities, Independent Education Institutions and private schools in travel risk mitigation and sharing best practice. In her current position at International SOS Julia manages a large portfolio of education institutions including many of Australia’s top universities and schools. She has a deep understanding of the university market and her clients’ international strategic objectives, consulting with them on how to keep their staff and students safe whilst overseas. Julia regularly attends and has spoken at university forums such as the Higher Education Conference, IEAA , and AIEC. Julia has a background in communications, media and risk mitigation. Julia’s previous experience has assisted her to navigate the complex university environment and help embed a holistic travel risk mitigation program for several universities.