The Speakers

Dr. Elissa Farrow

Dr. Elissa Farrow, PhDis a is an award-winning futurist, author, facilitator, coach and strategist. She has over 25 years experience in research, organisational innovation, design, adaptation and benefits realisation. and has extensive experience in strategic organisational adaptation design and delivery.Dr. Farrow has supported organizations in defining positive futures and has successfully facilitated their transformation, bringing about lasting benefits.

Dr Farrow is known for her compassionate leadership and engaging approach stemming from her background as a Social Scientist. She is an experienced board director, and has held global leadershippositions with the Change Management Institute as well as chair of DVConnect (2012-2017) a service preventing Domestic and Family Violence in Queensland. Her published doctoral researchexplored the implications of Artificial Intelligence on organisational futures.Dr. Farrow is a member of the Asia Pacific Futurists Network (APFN), Association of Professional Futurist (APF) and theWorld Futures Studies Federation (WFSF).

Dr. Jeanne Hoffman

(/jEE-nee hɔ́fmən/) is an educator, researcher and political scientist, with a deep commitment to advancing foresight and futures literacy. Jeanne's professional journey is rooted in a transdisciplinary approach, encompassing economics, international relations, and futures studies. Her extensive experience spans diverse roles, including facilitating workshops across various governmental and educational institutions within Queensland and internationally.

From 2015 to 2023, Jeanne served as a professor at the Graduate Institute of Futures Studies (GIFS) and the Department of Diplomacy and International Relations at Tamkang University, Taiwan. She is currently an Adjunct Fellow in Futures Studies at the University of the Sunshine Coast, Australia. In 2019, Jeanne was honoured with the Exemplary Teaching Award at Tamkang University. She was the managing editor of the Journal of Futures Studies from 2015 to 2022 and now serves as the co-editor of World Futures Review. Her work as a published author, presenter, organiser, mentor, and coach reflects her dedication to shaping the future of futures studies. 

Dr. Cheryl Doig

Dr Cheryl Doig is a futurist, weaver and connector, known as the #futuresaunty. She challenges individuals and organisations to think more provocatively about the future, to escape the ‘used future’ and to consider future generations in decision making.

Cheryl has over 30 year’s business and governance experience in education, business and health.  In 2017 Cheryl was a finalist in the NZ Westpac Women of Influence Awards, in the Innovation and Science category. She is an Adjunct Senior Fellow at the University of Canterbury, a professional member of the Association for Professional Futurists and global influencer in the futures and foresight space. Cheryl is the founder of the Ōtautahi Futures Collective, Aotearoa Futures and Oceania Futures. economics, international relations, and futures studies. Her extensive experience spans diverse roles, including facilitating workshops across various governmental and educational institutions within Queensland and internationally.

From 2015 to 2023, Jeanne served as a professor at the Graduate Institute of Futures Studies (GIFS) and the Department of Diplomacy and International Relations at Tamkang University, Taiwan. She is currently an Adjunct Fellow in Futures Studies at the University of the Sunshine Coast, Australia. In 2019, Jeanne was honoured with the Exemplary Teaching Award at Tamkang University. She was the managing editor of the Journal of Futures Studies from 2015 to 2022 and now serves as the co-editor of World Futures Review. Her work as a published author, presenter, organiser, mentor, and coach reflects her dedication to shaping the future of futures studies. 

Dr. Marcus Bussey

Dr Marcus Bussey is an educator and futurist with more than 40 years’ experience. He has taught widely throughout Australia having spent 5 years at a yoga based neohumanist school, 4 years in an urban community school run by a parent cooperative, 7 years in Montessori primary and high schools, and 20 years at USC where he currently teaches world history and the philosophy of history. He is also heavily involved with supervision of higher degree students and is deeply committed to the University’s goals of increased research capacity and quality research with high impact. Marcus is also the Deputy Head, UniSC Sustainability Research Centre where he is involved with a range of sustainability and environmental communication research projects.

Dr Marcus Bussey publishes widely and has co-authored Futures Thinking for Social Foresight with Richard Slaughter (2005) and co-edited (2020) Phenomenologies of Grace: the Body, Embodiment, and Transformative Futures with Camila Mozzini-Alister and in 2019 Dynamics of Dissent: Theorizing Movements for Inclusive Futures with John Clammer, Meera Chakravorty and Tanmayee Banerjee. Marcus’ latest publication is a co-edited volume of diverse, multilingual poetry entitled: Beyond Alienation, Hatred and Terror: Compatriots with Love and Living-Kind (Authors Press 2022).

Steph Clarke

Steph helps C-suite leaders ‘see around corners’. She’s brings a unique blend of skills covering futures thinking/strategic foresight, human centred design, innovation, and facilitation to help leaders and teams challenge the status quo in their organisation

She’s often called in to facilitate leadership offsites and development programs, develop future scenarios that enrich the strategy planning process, and generally help leadership teams think differently about the future. Steph trained as an auditor, has worked in Big 4, run L&D teams, writes regularly for Smart Company, and is always thinking about what’s next.

Katy Cooper

Katy is passionate about helping organisations to understand the future they can't see yet. She believes it's time to explore leadership for our potential futures (plural) not just our 'future' (singular, ideal). She is really passionate about developing flourishing organisations.

Katy focusses on leading the design of collaborative, human centred systems to deliver our preferred futures. She is passionate about shaping the way we step up to future challenges and collaborate to meet the opportunities of our potential futures through innovation. She is particularly skilled in designing and delivering sensory, experiential futures sessions.

Shermon Cruz

UNESCO Chair on Anticipatory Governance and Regenerative Cities at Northwestern University, Philippines, University of the Sunshine Coast, the Center for Engaged Foresight, and the Founding Chair of the Global South Futures Community.

Shermon Cruz is a PhD Candidate at the University of the Sunshine Coast Australia, the UNESCO Chair on Anticipatory Governance and Regenerative Cities at Northwestern University in the Philippines. He is the Founding Chair of the Global South Futures Community and the Chief Futurist of the Center for Engaged Foresight.

Dr. Clarice Garcia 

Clarice Garcia is an award-winning researcher and foresight practitioner with a drive for imaginative and collaborative futures. She specialises in connecting cultural shifts with opportunities for innovation to generate value for brands when uncertainty prevails and a transition to sustainable futures is paramount.

Over the last ten years, Clarice Garcia has worked as a researcher and foresight strategist for global companies, collaborating on projects for clients such as Nike, Google, L’Oréal, YouTube, Netflix, Nestlé, Panasonic, and Ford.

As a doctoral researcher at RMIT University in Australia, she created Fashion Futuring - an award-winning speculative methodology that interlaces design, culture, strategic foresight and collaboration to spark imagination and provoke a values-driven transition towards sustainable futures.     

Dr. Marcelle Holdaway

Formally, an Adjunct Fellow Accountability and Sustainability at the University of the Sunshine Coast, informally I call myself a 'pracademic and imagineer'. I am inspired by rewilding (inner and outer), (authentic) sustainability, and futures thinking. Healing ourselves and the planet is my 'bottom line'.

Earlier roles in fields concerning health and wellbeing were followed by the completion of a Master of Environmental Studies, and then to business consulting as a social and environmental accountant and auditor affiliated with Social Audit Network (UK). This type of accounting is concerned with social and environmental accountability and in the realm of social science rather than traditional accounting. My PhD thesis explored a practice-base for democratising stakeholder engagement by corporations through linking two distant fields, accountability and futures studies… a step too far for some!

Huw Jones 

With a passion for leading change for good, harnessing technology for impact, and reimagining education for lifelong learning, Huw is a proud husband, twin dad, serial founder, futurist and flow-state nerd with over 20 years experience working at the intersection of innovation, entrepreneurship, education and marketing.

Huw’s current ventures / startups include Step Into Liquid, a Founder Development Practice with a specific focus on holistic health and wellness, and Kotahi.io, a values-based connection visualisation and culture building platform for teams and organisations seeking enhanced collaboration, communication and community.

At academyEX, Huw is our Kaihautū Moana Māori, and works collaboratively across the organisation to promote and advance indigenous innovation, equity and engagement. Huw also advises across our MTF and MCOR programmes, facilitates on our Leading Beyond Sustainability and Entrepreneurship Micro credentials as well as Chairs our Te Ara Kōtihi (teaching, learning and development strategy) Working Group.

Dr. Anne Kovachevich

Dr Anne Kovachevich is a sustainability professional with a PhD in Aerospace Engineering and is co-founder of the Futures Collaborative Brisbane.

Anne’s current role is as a Technical Director leading Sustainable Buildings and Precincts at Mott MacDonald Australia. Anne has over 25 years’ experience with a background in building physics and extensive experience in strategy and insights advisory.  Anne has led sustainability on many precinct projects and can bring together the complex systems to achieve world leading sustainable outcomes. Previously Anne led Foresight and Innovation for Arup Australasia.

Anne is on the Technical Advisory Group for the Green Building Council of Australia and is also a member of the WELL Cities Advisory Panel. Locally Anne is member of the independent design advisory panel for Brisbane City Council and is the co-chair of the Committee for Brisbane Enterprise sub-committee.

Dr. Trish Lavery 

Dr Trish Lavery is an academic and policy expert working with the School of Cybernetics, Australian National University and in the central strategy team of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet. As former OECD Strategic Foresight Counsellor and Senior Strategic Analyst, Trish has experience in applying futures, foresight and behavioural economics to help facilitate better executive and board decision making, more resilient long-term public policy and more effective corporate strategy. Trish lectures on geostrategic communications at the Sympodium Institute, is a member of the OECD AI Futures Expert Working Group, and is an active contributor to a number of current research projects, on topics including mis- and disinformation, geoengineering and neurotechnology. She is passionate about putting a deeper understanding of human behaviour into the centre of discussions on emerging technologies and trends.

Dr. Steven Lichty

Dr. Steven Lichty is the director of Frontline Futures, a Nairobi-based consultancy specialising in helping organisations navigate complex challenges within the Triple Nexus (humanitarian aid, international development, and peacebuilding). He is also a co-founder/managing partner of REAL Consulting Group, a boutique research, evaluation, and transformative foresight firm that serves clients across the globe. He has 25 years’ experience in various sectors across 83+ countries, including those in post-conflict, transitional, and fragile environments. Other professional experiences involve designing, evaluating, and researching a range of global advocacy and humanitarian aid programmes. He works with systems mapping, complexity theory, Outcome Harvesting, social network analysis, theory of change, quantum social theory, and other qualitative methods. Steven has seven years’ programme management experience across various development and management sectors in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas. 

Dr. Michael McAllum

Dr. Michael McAllum is the Futures Architect of the  Global Foresight Network (GFN).

GFN is focused on co-creating and design with organisations, cities and regions value propositions for better futures. We specialise in conversations that reconceive and renew narratives that define purpose and the transformation pathways that will realise that purpose.

Dr. Camila Mozzini-Alister 

Camila Mozzini-Alister is a researcher, lecturer, author and social media educator based on the Sunshine Coast, Australia. Her background is a double PhD in Communication (UERJ-Brazil) and Arts: Production and Investigation (UPV-Spain), with a Research Master’s in Social & Institutional Psychology (UFRGS-Brazil) and a Bachelor (Honours) in Social Communication - Journalism (UFRGS-Brazil). She is interested in the interfaces between body, technology, social media, spirituality, migration and desire for omnipresence. In 2021, she published the book "Does Social Media Have Limits? Bodies of Light & the Desire for Omnipresence", by Palgrave Macmillan, where she studied the hidden link between mediation and meditation, mind and screen, as the germs for understanding the current forms of embodiment. Camila takes writing as a field of poetic experimentation and the body as our first and ultimate creative substratum.

Michelle Newell

Michelle Newell is a dynamic facilitator specialising in storytelling, branding, and strategic leadership development. A professional chameleon, she has seamlessly transitioned across roles in secondary education, e-Learning, education futures, community engagement, the creative arts, and marketing.

Through her business, The Storytelling Business, Michelle leads corporate workshops on personal branding and storytelling for change while also coaching thought leaders to refine their ideas and elevate their visibility. Passionate about future-oriented thinking, she collaborates with a leading Australian futurist to co-write scenarios that support strategic planning for his diverse clients.

An experienced keynote speaker and panel moderator, Michelle has delivered engaging workshops and presentations across the UK, Qatar, and Australia. She is a fully qualified and experienced History and English teacher, with postgraduate qualifications in Arts Management, and Museums and Cultural Heritage.

Helen Penridge

After completing a biology degree, Helen spent her working life as an information person (science librarian, indexer, database manager, technical writer, editor, teacher, adult trainer, online course designer, and so on). On retirement, she embarked on a leisurely BA to remedy chasms in her knowledge of the humanities. But that only whetted the appetite for some sort of transdisciplinary melding of the various threads as she contemplated the future. Hence her current studies. 

Working with futurist, Marcus Bussey, the eastern curlew, and others alive and dead too many to name, she's now a third of the way through a PhD project at Sunshine Coast University. The project aims to redefine some fundamental historical concepts, in particular Cause, Time, and Space, to make them more fitted to scenario planning for more-than-human futures.

Fabrice Teuguia

Fabrice Teuguia is an expert in Foresight and IT Project Management. He is the head of the ICT Department for a national program in Cameroon (PCP-ACEFA) on the supervision of AFD (Agence Française de développement). He was also a given practical course at a private university school in Yaounde (ISTAG). 

Parika Verma

Parika Verma has a multi-disciplinary background in futures, design and strategy, and is currently an Advisor at the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. She has experience driving mission-oriented and anticipatory innovation across federal and state governments and the private sector. Parika’s expertise lies in creative facilitation and strategy development. She is also an Global Shaper, and collaborates with fellow young people in her city on work on issues of local relevance.

Marguerite Westacott

Marguerite Westacott is an Associate Lecturer at the University of the Sunshine Coast, situated on the traditional lands of the Gubbi Gubbi, or Kabi Kabi peoples. She has a background in visual arts, education, counselling and art therapy. Marguerite lectures and tutors in the disciplines of Tertiary Access, Education and Counselling. Her research interests are exploring the intersection of art-led methods to privilege aesthetic and visual ways of knowing. Her current PhD research is applying this practice to explore the implications of the futures senses to compliment and embed futures in career education in higher education that proactively meets the agency needs of more than human futures.