Bronwyn Williams is a proud Niuean and Cook Islands woman, born in Aotearoa and based in Western Sydney. With over 20 years’ experience in higher education across New Zealand and Australia, she brings deep expertise in widening participation, community engagement, and program design that centres equity and access for underrepresented students. Currently a Senior Project Officer at Western Sydney University, Bronwyn has led major outreach and transition initiatives, including Fast Forward, First Foot Forward, Refugee and New and Emerging Communities, and the nationally recognised Pasifika Achievement To Higher Education (PATHE) program. She is also a Founding Director of the Australian Pasifika Educators Network (APEN), where she co-leads national advocacy and professional development for Pasifika educators and students. Bronwyn is passionate about creating culturally safe, strengths-based spaces that inspire Pacific young people to thrive in education and life. As Principal Consultant at Moana Impact Studio, she brings strategic insight, facilitation expertise, and a deep commitment to impact-driven work grounded in culture and community. She holds a BA, MA (Hons), and MLit from the University of Auckland, and is currently completing a PhD in Education at Western Sydney University.

Tofa Amanda Moors-Mailei is a Sāmoan educator, strategist and nationally recognised equity leader in Australian higher education. With over a decade of experience designing and delivering university-wide equity strategy at UTS, she has led the development, implementation and evaluation of flagship initiatives that expand access, participation and belonging for students and staff. Her work includes shaping the UTS Humanitarian Scholarship Program, leading the design of the UTS Indigenous Outreach Strategy, advancing Pacific student success initiatives, and co-designing UTS’s first Women in IT Leadership Mentoring Program. Across her roles, Amanda has worked at the intersection of policy, community engagement and institutional reform, influencing strategy and practice beyond a single portfolio. Amanda is a Founder/Director Governance and Strategy of the Australian Pasifika Educators Network, a founding member of the UTS Multicultural Women’s Network, and Executive Lead, Pacific for Equity Practitioners in Higher Education Australasia. Her leadership is grounded in relational values and Indigenous knowledge frameworks, and is driven by a commitment to justice, representation and structural transformation across the higher education sector.

Tuilelepa Pani Patu is Operations Manager, Poche Centre for Indigenous Health and APEN’s Director of Research and Advocacy. Pani leads the network’s research agenda, developing data-driven policy papers and campaigns that centre Pacific educational equity.

Esita Sogotubu is the Employability Manager at UTS Careers and the Director of Finance and Operations at APEN. She has a strong background in student development and industry engagement and leads impactful programs, including Pasifika mentoring, to support student success and cultural visibility in higher education.

Sepi Seuala is the Senior Manager at UNSW Online, leading lifelong learning initiatives. She serves as APEN’s Director of Communications and Stakeholder Engagement. Sepi has keen interests in championing Pacific voices and building inclusive, accessible education strategies ground in culture and equity.

Uta'ileu'o Charlie Palupe is the Director of Strategic Governance, Queensland Department of Education where he leads governance and policy reform within the Schools and Student Support Division, driving strategic alignment across the Department. Charlie brings strong expertise in public policy, legislative processes, and stakeholder engagement across government and non-profit sectors.