Embedding a culture of lifelong learning relies on aligning robust research, progressive policy and best practice implementation. Join these experienced thought leaders, keynote speakers Rachel Cowper and Michael Rich, along with school and system leaders, as they share their perspectives on how to best transition learners through the education continuum from early childhood education to school and on to tertiary education.

KATY HAIRE

Since September 2015, Katy Haire has been Deputy Secretary of the Early Childhood and School Education Group (ECSEG). She is responsible for designing a learning, development, wellbeing and child health system that delivers improved outcomes for all children and young people from birth to 18 years of age, and their families, without exception. Prior to joining the Department, Katy held a range of senior management and executive roles within the Victorian public sector, including Deputy Secretary of Service Design and Operations at the Department of Health and Human Services, and as Director of Social Policy at the Department of Premier and Cabinet (DPC).

Katy holds a Graduate Diploma of Education (Secondary) from Monash University, a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in political science and history, and a Master of Arts in the history of education from the University of Melbourne. She also holds an Executive Master of Public Administration from the University of Melbourne and is a Senior Executive Fellow of the Harvard Kennedy School, and Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

TRACY MACKEY

Tracy Mackey is the Executive Director, Early Childhood Education at the NSW Department of Education, with responsibility for policy, funding, programs and the regulatory authority. She brings more than 25 years of experience in social policy and programs, across the early years, child protection, aged care and disability fields. Tracy has held senior executive positions in the government, non-profit and the private sectors. She is committed to making a positive difference in the lives of vulnerable Australians and has been a non-Executive Director supporting community organisations for many years.

MICHAEL RICH

Michael Rich, MD, MPH, FAAP, FSAHM, Founder and Director of the Center on Media and Child Health, Associate Professor at Harvard Medical School and Harvard School of Public Health, came to medicine after a twelve-year career as a filmmaker (including serving as assistant director to Akira Kurosawa on Kagemusha). As Director of the Center on Media and Child Health (www.cmch.tv) at Boston Children’s Hospital, Dr. Rich combines his creative experience with rigorous scientific evidence about the powerful positive and negative effects of media to advise pediatricians and parents how to use media in ways that optimize child development at www.askthemediatrician.org. Recipient of the AAP’s Holroyd-Sherry Award and the SAHM New Investigator Award, Dr. Rich has developed media-based research methodologies and authored numerous papers and AAP policy statements, testified to the United States Congress, and makes regular national press appearances.

RACHEL COWPER

Rachel has been at the forefront of putting innovative plans into effective action at Inspiring Scotland since 2009.

Rachel leads on the design and implementation of our outdoor learning and play fund, promoting outdoor learning and increasing play based opportunities for children throughout Scotland. Her experience in the play sector has made her a leading voice in helping to change and shape attitudes towards outdoor (play based) learning at a national policy level in the early years and on the ground. Her work has led to international recognition and cooperation with similar programmes and leading academics in the field of physically activity and outdoor play.

Since joining Inspiring Scotland, she has worked across several funds and brings 20 years’ experience in business management and economic development to helping tackle deep social issues. Rachel is a long-standing volunteer in the charity sector and currently sits on the board of an outdoor activity charity.