Nathan is a skilled professional in the financial modelling field, having honed his skills during his tenure in the financial modelling teams at KPMG and PwC. His work involves crafting financial models for a diverse set of clients, including sizable ASX-listed companies engaged in multi-billion dollar projects.

Alongside his practical roles, Nathan shares his insights as part of the faculty at the Australian Graduate School of Management, contributing to the full-time, online, and executive MBA programs. This dual experience reflects Nathan’s solid grounding in financial modelling and his commitment to passing on his knowledge through education.

Dr. John Merchant graduated from the University of Sydney with Honours in Zoology and Psychology. He also holds a Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Western Sydney. His career has included roles in welfare work, school counselling, and school administration, working with clients such as AMP, the Australian College of Applied Psychology, and Dangar Research Group.

John is a registered psychologist in New South Wales and currently works in private practice as a Jungian analyst and consultant psychologist.

Adam is an experienced senior English teacher with over fifteen years in the field. He has regularly delivered Year 12 holiday workshops, assisting students in revising content, understanding course requirements, and improving their responses.

He has worked at Shore School as a senior English teacher, and served as the Co-ordinator of Junior English at Toowoomba Grammar School. He was also a Year 12 Creative Writing Marker for the QCST, President of the Darling Downs Chapter of ETAQ, and a member of the B-35 English Regional Review Panel for Darling Downs.

Adam graduated from the University of Queensland in 2000 with a Bachelor of Arts (Double Major in English Literature, Minor in History) and a Bachelor of Education.

He focuses on encouraging his students' critical thinking, questioning cycle, evidence selection, and identification of assumptions. He also aims to help students develop their problem-solving skills through guiding questions, empathy, and research-based innovation.

Gabriel Nguyen has a B.Sc. (Advanced) (Hons)/LL.B. from the University of Sydney, majoring in Physics. He has extensive experience in science education and outreach, working with the School of Physics to deliver Kickstart Physics workshops targeting HSC Physics students since 2011. As Science Communicator at the School of Physics in 2016, Gabriel managed and delivered the Kickstart Physics program; focusing on the core and option modules, training demonstrators and implementing hands-on experimental experiences for visiting students. His education experience has been augmented through teaching 1st Year Physics students at the University of Sydney since 2011. He is now currently placed with the Sydney University Physics Education Research (SUPER) Group as a PhD student, focused on how students study and experience science at university.

Jessica Nicotra graduated from the University of Sydney with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology, followed by a Master’s in Teaching for secondary education. She has several years of experience as a high school science and senior biology teacher.

Jessica’s teaching approach is straightforward, focusing on making science engaging and interesting for her students. She aims to share her passion for science through a direct and practical teaching style.

Jessica is dedicated to fostering a love for science in her students, hoping to inspire the same enthusiasm for the subject that she has.

Dr Erin O’Dwyer is a storytelling expert. She works with founders, leaders, organisations and creative thinkers to craft story-driven communications that cut through. 

An award-winning journalist, writer and editor, Erin has nearly three decades' experience across print, digital, broadcast and publishing media. Her journalism has appeared in publications as diverse as The Sydney Morning Herald, The Saturday Paper, The Guardian, Australian Geographic and Vogue. She has been a producer for the ABC, a specialist editor for SBS, and her audio documentaries have been broadcast on ABC’s Radio National. She has been recognised three times in the Australian UN Media Peace Awards, and is a Walkley Awards finalist.

As the founder of a boutique communications consultancy, Erin leads a team of writers, editors and narrative strategists whose mission is simple: to help people tell better stories. They offer writing, editing and training services that put story at the centre – no matter the channel, platform or medium. 

Erin is a passionate mentor and educator, and has two decades’ experience lecturing at universities including the University of Sydney, UTS, UNSW and QUT. Erin holds a PhD (UTS), and a BA in Media Studies (UQ). She is also a qualified lawyer, with an LLB (Hons) and a GDLP (ANU). She is admitted to practice law in the Supreme Court of NSW. She has served on a number of non-profit Boards.

Erin believes teaching and mentoring is one of the best ways of learning.

Stephanie is an experienced business writer and coach who has developed a sound method of teaching concise, jargon-free writing that tells the story and sets clear reader expectations. Her early career was in government and publishing, before she moved into business writing and coaching in 2006. She has led various writing workshops and programs throughout both the government and private sectors. Some of her notable clients include the Reserve Bank of Australia, NSW Health, Woolworths, Transport for NSW, Credit Corp Group, Law Society of NSW, NHVR, and various Local Councils. In 2013 Stephanie followed her business nose to become partner at Sydney creative agency, The Offices, where she oversees day-to-day proposal writing, content marketing and a range of corporate client writing projects.

Stephanie has a Bachelor of Arts from The University of Sydney, majoring in Linguistics and English Literature, and holds a Cert IV in Training and Assessment. She is a member of the Sydney Chamber of Commerce and volunteers her writing expertise for a number of not-for-profit organisations.

Fumiko loves teaching Japanese to students of all levels and encourages learning in a fun, relaxed and interactive classroom setting. With extensive experience in Japan and Australia, she has a good understanding of students' needs as they learn a new language.

She has a Masters degree in Applied Linguistics and Graduate Diploma in Languages Teaching from University of Technology, Sydney, a Postgraduate Certificate in TESOL from Macquarie University, and a Bachelor degree from Osaka University.

Kate is a professional with a wealth of experience in leadership, coaching, and human resources. Holding a Masters of Positive Leadership and Strategy, an MBA, a Bachelor's in Human Resources, and an International Coach Federation certification, Kate possesses the expertise required to drive positive transformations in organisational dynamics.

Throughout her professional journey, Kate has held executive-level roles at an international Construction and Engineering firm and later transitioned to consulting. This unique trajectory equips her with an in-depth understanding of the practicalities and challenges of business and leadership, allowing her to integrate best practices effectively.

In her early thirties, Kate faced a personal challenge—a stroke—that has since fuelled her passion for optimising team performance and cultivating work environments that not only deliver superior results but are also enjoyable. As a facilitator, Kate brings a wealth of practical experience and a profound understanding of the human side of leadership, creating engaging and impactful learning experiences for her clients.

In 2022, Kate began hosting the Level Up Leadership Podcast, earning international recognition and securing a prominent place on management charts in Australia, Asia, and Europe. Kate's multifaceted career and unwavering commitment to leadership development consistently inspire and empower individuals to reach their highest potential.

Beyond her professional life, Kate enjoys cycling at sunrise, engaging in surf lifesaving at her local beach, and sharing musical moments at the piano with her daughter. She firmly believes in the importance of a well-rounded life beyond the workplace.

Leticia has been teaching English as a second language and Portuguese to foreigners since 1998. She has lived in various countries including England, where she took the ESOL Cambridge CELTA, Spain where she learnt Spanish, and in the USA where she completed a Master’s degree in TESOL and was a lecturer in Portuguese in the Master’s Program of International Relations at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. Leticia currently lives in Sydney and teaches Portuguese at the University of Sydney. She holds a PhD in Applied Linguistics from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul and a Masters in Languages and a Bachelor’s degree in Portuguese and English Literatures.

Qualifications:

• PhD in Linguistics (Brazil)
• M.A. In TESOL (Philadelphia, USA)
• M.A. In Linguistics (Brazil)