National Conference, Annual General Meeting & UniSport Australia Sports Awards

PROFESSOR ALEC CAMERON | VICE CHANCELLOR, RMIT UNIVERSITY
Conference Opening Keynote, Wednesday 27 May at 10.00am

Professor Cameron is a Rhodes Scholar (1986) with a Doctor of Philosophy from Oxford University in Robotics (1989). He is also a graduate of the University of Sydney with Bachelor’s degrees in Science and Electrical Engineering (with First Class Honours), and the University Medal.

His early career involved executive roles at Telstra and Sun Microsystems. Prior university appointments include, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Resources & Infrastructure), University of New South Wales (2003-2006), inaugural Dean of the UNSW Business School (2006-2012), and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education), University of Western Australia (2013-2016). 

RYAN HOLLOWAY | CHIEF PARTNERSHIPS OFFICER, AUSTRALIAN SPORTS FOUNDATION
University Sport Financial Sustainability (CEO / Senior Manager Stream), Wednesday 27 May at 1.30pm

Ryan Holloway has built his career in Australian sport, specialising in commercial and strategic partnerships. Since joining the Australian Sports Foundation (ASF) in 2016, he has held senior leadership roles and, as Chief Partnerships Officer, has driven major growth in fundraising and strengthened ties with athletes, clubs, donors and sporting bodies nationwide.

Previously, Ryan held commercial and partnership roles with leading professional clubs, including the Sydney Roosters, Parramatta Eels, Manly Warringah Sea Eagles and Sydney Kings. His deep knowledge of Australian sport and proven ability to build strategic partnerships now underpin his leadership of the ASF as Interim CEO.

ANNA WALKER | FOUNDER & CONSULTANT, FROM NOW ON
The Social Impact Advantage, Thursday 28 May at 9.15am

Anna strives to help create a world in which everyone can play, live and work on terms and in environments designed for them. She does this by using sport as a social impact tool.

Over a 25 year career dedicated to growing sport participation, Anna has developed comprehensive knowledge and insights into the Australian and global sporting context. She has observed, learned from and delivered or advised customised sport solutions to more than 40 sports across Australia, New Zealand, the Pacific Islands and England. In each setting she’s gained unique knowledge of the sporting ecosystems operating within diverse cultures and communities to vast audiences.

CAROL FOX | CONFIDENT COMMUNICATION EXPERT, EXECUTIVE COACH, PRINCIPAL TRAINER
Leadership & Team Culture (Student Stream), Wednesday 27 May at 10.30am

Carol is an accomplished leader and expert in the fields of elite sport performance, emergency services, leadership and teamwork.

With over thirty years of experience, Carol has worked with numerous organisations and individuals, guiding and inspiring them into effective, powerful, community-shaping action.

Through her work, she helps leaders at all levels eliminate self-doubt and build more confidence, leading to positive interactions at work and successful outcomes.

STEFANIE MACCAR | VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR / DEPARTMENT MANAGER, MONASH STUDENT ASSOCIATION & DIRECTOR, STUDENT EXPERIENCE NETWORK
Increasing Student Engagement (Coordinators / Students Stream), Wednesday 27 May at 1.30pm

Stefanie Maccar is a seasoned university student services professional with over 15 years of experience in service and program development, volunteer coordination, and event management.

Her passions lie in student mentoring and training, with a deep interest in building community, student wellbeing and food relief.

DENE CICCI | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF STUDENTS, RMIT UNIVERSITY & PRESIDENT, AUSTRALIAN & NEW ZEALAND STUDENT SERVICES ASSOCIATION

Dene Cicci is Executive Director, Students at RMIT University, where he leads a broad and integrated portfolio shaping the end-to-end student experience for one of Australia’s largest and most diverse student cohorts. His remit spans student services and support, welfare and wellbeing, equity and inclusion, student integrity, careers and employability, student life, sport, and strategic student partnerships.

Dene brings extensive leadership experience across higher education, industry, and government. He has a strong track record in leading complex organisational transformation, building high-performing teams, and delivering digitally enabled services at scale. His work is characterised by a focus on creating inclusive, connected, and future-oriented environments that enable all students to thrive.

DR NAOMI DEMPSEY | PRO VICE CHANCELLOR – STUDENT EXPERIENCE AND EMPLOYABILITY, LA TROBE UNIVERSITY

Dr Naomi Dempsey is an accomplished executive leader with more than 25 years’ experience across Australia’s tertiary education sector.

In 2019, she was awarded the LH Martin Institute Award for Excellence in Leadership (ATEM) in recognition of her leadership in delivering innovative strategies that significantly improved the student experience in an Australian dual‑sector university.

Naomi holds a Doctor of Philosophy and a Master of Education. Her doctoral research examined a new educational model in Australian higher education focused on first‑year student success, curriculum redesign and block‑mode learning, and its impact on student outcomes across disciplines and equity groups.

PROFESSOR SARAH MCDONALD | DEPUTY VICE-CHANCELLOR (STUDENT EXPERIENCE) AND SENIOR VICE-PRESIDENT, MONASH UNIVERSITY

Professor Sarah McDonald is the inaugural Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Experience) and Senior Vice-President at Monash University, appointed in September 2024. In this role, she is responsible for the strategic leadership of student experience and the continuous implementation of equity initiatives across the University.

Professor McDonald is an exceptional leader with an established reputation for educational innovation, excellence and inclusion. Her research examines the need for cultural literacy and culturally-based skills in curricula that produce graduates who are truly flexible, mobile and global.

She is a Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (UK) and holds a Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Auckland (New Zealand).

REBECCA HENDERSON | THE UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE – DOCTOR OF MEDICINE

Rebecca Henderson is an Australian Olympic race walker who has emerged as one of the country’s leading endurance athletes in athletics. She began in Little Athletics before specialising in race walking at a young age, quickly showing talent over longer distances. Henderson represented Australia at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics in the women’s 20km walk and has since competed at multiple World Championships, including last year’s FISU World University Games in Rhine-Ruhr, Germany.

After completing a degree in Biomedical Science at Monash University, Rebecca is now in her second year of a Doctor of Medicine at The University of Melbourne.

BIANCA PUGLISI | VICTORIA UNIVERSITY – BACHELOR OF EXERCISE SCIENCE (CLINICAL PRACTICE)

Bianca Puglisi is an outstanding endurance athlete and a Bachelor of Exercise Science (Clinical Practice) student at Victoria University. Known for her competitive spirit and consistency, she has proudly represented both Australia and VU on the world stage.

In 2024, Bianca made history as the first Australian to cross the finish line in the 10km race at the FISU World University Cross Country Championship in Oman’s desert terrain. She backed that up with another impressive performance at the FISU World University Summer Games in Germany, once again leading the Australian team across the line in the half marathon.

STEPHANIE BRANTZ

Renowned Australian sports presenter Stephanie Brantz will be rejoining the 2026 UniSport National Conference as the MC, following glowing reviews from last year’s Conference.

Stephanie has worked in the Australian sports television industry since 2000, with SBS, the Nine Network, Fox Sports and the ABC, and is currently a contributor for ESPN. Brantz is also an Ambassador and student mentor for the Australian Indigenous Education Foundation, an ambassador for the Chappell Foundation and was family ambassador of the Interactive Games & Entertainment Association.