Meet Your OLAs

Rod Johnston

Course taught into

• Master of Project Management

Units taught

• Systems in Project Management
• Strategy and Projects
• Projects and Performance
• Strategic Risk Management
• People and Projects
• Organisations and Projects

Qualifications

• Master of Project Management
• Graduate Certificate in Cyber Security

Biography

Rod is a proven, innovative leader with extensive success in driving large business transformation initiatives for public, private and NFP organisations in the public safety, health, finance, defence and telecommunications sectors. He is passionate about engaging with customers and creating innovative solutions through the smarter use of design thinking and human-centred design, building and leading high-performance, service-orientated teams and cultivating strategic C-level alliances.

Thriving in uncertain and ambiguous dynamic environments, Rod is driven by creating value for business through solving complex problems. Blending an entrepreneurial mindset, strategic focus and commercial acumen, he delivers innovation inspired by the creativity of people, the possibilities of technology and a deep understanding of community, commercial and business needs.

Rod lectures at QUT Online and at other universities and is currently studying a Master of Information Systems (Health) while working full time in the health sector.

Sukant Arora

Course taught into

• Master of Project Management
• Graduate Certificate in Business Analysis

Units taught

• Project Management Essentials 1
• Project Management Essentials 2
• Strategic Risk Management

Qualifications

• Certificate IV in TAE40116 Training
• Diploma in Financial Planning
• Graduate Certificate in Finance
• Bachelor of Architecture
• Master of Project Management

Biography

Sukant teaches Business, Finance and Project Management courses at several institutes in Australia. He has worked as a Senior Project Designer/Manager for a leading multinational interior design firm, where he has delivered large-scale interior design projects across five-star hotels in Asia Pacific region and managed teams in Australia, China, Philippines and India. He has worked on projects including the Marina Bay Sands Singapore, China World Trade Centre Beijing, Shangri-La Bangalore India, Shangri-La Tokyo, Dusit Abu Dhabi, Hilton Shenzhen, W-Melbourne and many more.

Spiros Soulis

Course taught into

• Graduate Certificate in Education (Innovative Learning Design)

Units taught

• Future Trends in Learning Design
• Authentic Learning and Assessment

Qualifications

• Masters in Learning Sciences and Technology

Biography

Spiros Soulis has 12 years experience in Learning Design and over 30 years in Education. Having started in ESL in both Australia and overseas, Spiros moved into the VET sector teaching and program coordinating in Community Development later moving into teaching and learning. He has enjoyed managing teams on innovative approaches to how learning is designed in particular for the online space. He has consulted widely for a number of organisations and has a student-centric approach to how he engages with any form of learning.

Daniel James

Course taught into

• Master of Engineering Management

Units taught

• Enterprise Resource Planning
• Research Methods for Engineers
• Project 1
• Project 2

Qualifications

• PhD Radio Physics
• Master of Business Administration
• Graduate Certificate of Business Administration

Biography

Daniel James is a career innovator of small technologies for industry and research environments. Originally a physicist by training his deep domain expertise in the technical skills disciplines have been broadened by industry experience and graduate business study. He is an experienced innovation R&D director and has consulted widely for elite sports, health, research and consumer electronics organisations for product development. His work is well published and has had significant media attention.

Ruby Wyllie

Course taught into

• Graduate Certificate in Education (Autism)

Units taught

• Features of the Autism Spectrum
• Context-Wide Educational Support for Learners with Autism
• Targeted and Intensive Educational Supports for Learners with Autism

Qualifications

• Master of Education (Inclusive and Special Education)
• Bachelor of Education (Physical Education and English)

Biography

Ruby has been teaching for several years in a variety of settings, supporting learners from early years through to adulthood. Ruby is passionate about supporting learners with complex learning profiles in inclusive settings. Eager to learn, Ruby regularly engages in professional development opportunities and loves to share with those around her.

Lara Tzafaris

Course taught into

• Graduate Certificate in Education (Indigenous Education)

Units taught

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Knowledge Societies
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education and Policy since 1788

Qualifications

• Masters Teaching (Primary) Uni Sydney
• Graduate Certificate Business (Public Relations) QUT
• Bachelor Music (Musicology) UQ
• NESA Accredited (300 hours): accomplished teacher

Biography

Lara Tzafaris acknowledges the First Nations of Australia, the keepers of Country past present and emerging. Thank you for the land we share and learn upon. Lara proudly identifies as Indigenous: Salt Water person from Yawuru Country.  She is an accredited teaching professional with a history in media and the arts. Lara is a trained classical musician. She is a Creative Industries educator, currently selected for coaching into Lead Teacher status. Lara has enjoyed roles within The Courier Mail, The Art Gallery of NSW, News Limited, Department of Education NSW, and Education Queensland. She became a curriculum coordinator in the latter years of classroom teaching, specialising in embedding indigenous knowledges into mathematics, literacy and environmental science.

Jy Fraser

Course taught into

• Master of Project Management

Units taught

• Systems in Project Management
• People and Projects
• Organisations and Projects

Qualifications

• Master of Business Administration
• Master of Project Management

Biography

Jy Fraser is a highly experienced Portfolio, Program, and Project Manager with expertise in delivering major projects tailored to the energy, infrastructure, and utilities industries for public and private enterprise in Australia, the UK, and USA.

Supporting Jy’s experience is a double master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA) and Project Management (MProjMgt) which were both fully completed online. Jy’s academic roles consulting to QUT and other universities and institutes includes lecturing, course designing, and assessment creation.

Yancong (Ray) Xie

Course taught into

• Graduate Certificate in Computer Science
• Graduate Certificate in Information Technology
• Graduate Certificate in Cyber Security and Networks

Units taught

• Computer Systems Fundamentals
• Databases
• Introduction to Programming
• Object Oriented Programming

Qualifications

• PhD, Queensland University of Technology
• BSc, Renmin University of China

Biography

Yancong Xie completed undergraduate studies in Computer Science and Mathematics, and has conducted PhD research in the area of Information Systems. He has taught more than 50 classes and 2000 students at multiple institutions. He has taught a wide range of subjects, including programming, database, computer systems, IoT, business process modelling, enterprise architecture, foundations of information systems and requirements engineering. His research interests include simulation modelling, digital economy, social media, review utility, organisational robustness and research methodology.

Steve Foden

Course taught into

• Master of Project Management

Units taught

• Project Management Essentials 1
• Project Management Essentials 2
• Managing the Project
• Strategic Project Procurement
• Strategy and Projects

Qualifications

• MBA (Technology Management)
• Graduate Diploma in Management Sciences
• Graduate Diploma of Technology (Business Systems Design)
• Bachelor of Applied Science (Applied Physics)
• Level 5 Certificate in Teaching of English as a Foreign Language
• Certificate IV in Training and Assessment (TAE40116 & TAE4110)
• Project Management Professional (PMI – PMBoK)
• PRINCE2, Agile, SCRUM Master certificates

Biography

Steve has extensive experience delivering mission critical technology projects in a range of industries including defence, telecommunications and banking. These projects have ranged from aircraft simulators, military and emergency service communications, EFTPOS systems and ATM services. Steve has also held a number of part-time project management teaching roles for several organisations.

Shelley Kolstad

Units taught

• Think Like a Lawyer in the Digital World
• Ethics and Professional Relationships

Qualifications

• Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice
• Bachelor of Laws (First Class Honours)
• Bachelor of Business (With Distinction)

Biography

Shelley Kolstad has travelled and worked extensively overseas, predominantly in management consultancy firms at a managerial level. A career/lifestyle change saw her return to Australia and develop a rural writer’s retreat in Far North Queensland alongside pursuing a career in law and academia.

Richard Oliver

Course taught into

• Graduate Certificate in Education (Innovative Learning Design)

Units taught

• Future Trends in Learning Design
• Authentic Learning and Assessment

Qualifications

• Masters of Education

Biography

Richard Oliver has worked in adult education for 15 years, making the move into Learning Design five years ago. He leads a team of learning designers, creating Higher Education courses in Accounting, Business, Cybersecurity, Design, Education, Finance, IT and Law. Richard is passionate about quality online education and enjoys designing, teaching, and studying online courses. With a strong focus on student-centric design and authentic learning and teaching, he looks forward to sharing his vision of the future of learning design and learning about your vision.

Rebecca Bishop

Course taught into

• Master of Digital Communication

Units taught

• Debates in Digital Culture

Qualifications

• PhD in Interdisciplinary Cross-Cultural Research
• Master of Arts (Distinction)
• Post-graduate Diploma in Social Science
• Bachelor of Arts with Honours (First Class)
• Bachelor of Arts, Diploma in Film and Television Production

Biography

Rebecca Bishop is an academic in Media and Communications disciplines and has specific expertise in the study of digital communities and online identity. She has taught at universities in New Zealand and Australia for over 15 years and has been employed as an online Unit Coordinator since 2014.

Marion Vallier

Course taught into

• Master of Digital Communication

Units taught

• Visualising Data
• Introduction to Social Media Analytics
• The Power of Platforms
• Social Media Strategy Project
• Audience Analytics

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in International Marketing and Management
• Graduate Certificate in Creative Advertising and Copywriting
• Bachelor of Arts International Business Administration

Biography

Marion Vallier has worked in the field of digital communication for almost 10 years. She started her career in France as a copywriter in advertising and then moved to digital media strategy and analytics. She is passionate about data analytics and data visualisation. Over the years she has been coaching and developing her team members and has loved contributing to their success.

Dr Josie Di Donato

Course taught into

• Master of Health Management

Units taught

• Population Health
• Contemporary Health Management
• Leadership in Health Management
• Health Systems
• Health Economics: Applications and Policy
• Research Methods in Health
• Project

Qualifications

• Doctor of Philosophy
• Master of Business Administration
• Bachelor of Business, Health Administration (health information management)
• PRINCE2, Project Management Methodology
• MSP, Program Management Methodology

Biography

Josie has worked across the health sector in academia, primary and community care, hospitals and corporate health, and brings more than 30 years of experience to the OLA role. She is passionate about improving healthcare through respectful leadership and better use of health information, and is committed to growing a future health management workforce that has the courage to ask, why?

Ethan Bowering

Course taught into

• Graduate Certificate in Policy and Governance

Units taught

• Policy, Governance and Justice
• Critical Policy Skills

Qualifications

• MPhil in Public Policy, the University of Cambridge
• Bachelor of Urban and Environmental Planning (Honours)
• Bachelor of Science (Environment), Griffith University

Biography

Ethan Bowering has six years’ experience working on a broad range of policy issues in Australia and abroad. He currently works as a public sector consultant in Melbourne but has spent most of his career working in the Australian Public Service in Canberra, most recently in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Ethan holds a Masters in Public Policy from the University of Cambridge and worked at BCG’s Centre for Public Impact in London.

Dick Cheuk

Course taught into

• Graduate Diploma in Information Technology (Business Analysis)
• Graduate Diploma in Information Technology (Cyber Security and Networks)
• Graduate Certificate in Information Technology
• Graduate Certificate in Business Analysis

Units taught

• Management Information Systems
• Introduction to Security and Networking
• Systems Analysis and Design
• Advanced Business Analysis

Qualifications

• Doctor in IT management
• PGrad Cert in Information Systems
• MSc in Scientific Computing
• BSc in Applied Mathematics

Biography

Dick Cheuk is a seasoned Knowledge Management and IT professional with 20 years of experience in the KM and IT industry. With an academic background on information systems and IT management, Dick uses technologies to tackle complex emerging challenges for organisations. Dick’s goal is to help organisations of all sizes to gain more values from their organisational knowledge.

Dianne Davies

Course taught into

• Graduate Certificate in Education (Career Development and Counselling)

Units taught

• Introductory Educational Counselling
• Career Counselling

Qualifications

• Masters in Education (Career Development)
• Graduate Certificate in Career Development Practice
• Graduate Diploma of Education

Biography

Dianne started her career in education as a primary teacher before embarking on a number of roles in the field of career education. She has worked closely with teachers, educators and service providers facilitating professional development activities on career transition, career theory, career planning, career assessments and individual career plans. The knowledge gained by participants attending these workshops has proven invaluable when supporting clients in planning for their ongoing career journey.

Danielle Miller

Course taught into

• Graduate Certificate in Policy and Governance

Units taught

• Public Sector Research Skills and Methods
• Justice Institutions

Qualifications

• PhD (Political Science), University of Queensland
• BA (Honours), University of Southern Queensland

Biography

Danielle Miller has been involved in academic research and teaching for over 10 years. She has a strong interest in academic practice, as well as Australian politics and governance structures. She has been involved in a number of research projects including the Queensland Speaks oral history project.

Calvin Chen

Course taught into

• Master of Project Management

Units taught

• Project Investigation 1
• Project Investigation 2

Biography

Calvin Chen has obtained a Master of Engineering (Project Management) degree from QUT. Following the completion of his studies, he has worked as a Research Engineer at Toyota Australia developing vehicle accessories for four years. He is now utilising his knowledge in this space as a vehicle safety specialist at Ford Australia.

Anushree Mistry

Course taught into

• Master of Engineering Management

Units taught

• Asset and Facility Management
• Total Quality Management
• Research Methods for Engineers
• Project Management Principles

Qualifications

• PhD in Engineering
• Master of Engineering Management
• Bachelor of Engineering – Telecommunications

Biography

Anushree has been a University Academic with more than 10 years of experience teaching at the Undergraduate and Postgraduate levels in the core areas of Engineering, IT, IS, and Business. Committed to helping university students develop their full potential in their studies. Enthusiastic lecturer with a passion for creating stimulating, interactive learning environments by using contemporary technologies for teaching in an online learning environment. Strong philosophy of teaching and knowledge of many different methods to motivate students to develop their expertise in specific areas.

Amit Gahlyan

Units taught

• Superannuation and Wealth Management
• Taxation Law and Practice
• Behavioural Client Management – Financial Planning (Capstone)

Qualifications

• Master of Commerce (Advanced) – Applied Finance & Professional Accounting (UQ)
• Certified Financial Planner (FPA)
• Diploma of Financial Planning
• Bachelor of Business Administration

Biography

Amit is a Certified Financial Planner and has a Master of Commerce (Adv) and Diploma of Financial Planning Qualifications. He has worked in the financial planning industry for over seven years. He has worked for various financial institutions, including a bank and a superannuation fund. Previously he also worked as an accountant and tax consultant. He enjoys working as a financial planner and helping his clients achieve their goals, and at the same time enjoys helping students who want to start their journey in the financial planning industry.