Irene Lanzinger is President of the BC Teachers’ Federation. On leave from her role as a senior mathematics and science teacher with the Vancouver Board of Education. Irene’s teaching experience also includes work in Japan and Saudi Arabia. She is well known for her negotiating skills and for her unwavering commitment to advancing students’ learning conditions and teachers’ working conditions at the bargaining table.

Dr. Larry Sackney is a Professor Emeritus, Faculty of Education, University of Saskatchewan. Over the past 30 years, he has been a prominent international researcher, author and presenter, in the areas of School Effectiveness, School Improvement, Learning Communities and Knowledge Management. His latest book entitled “Building Ecologically Sustainable Learning Communities” will be published in the near future.

Dr. Robin Brayne is a Limited Term Lecturer and Adjunct Professor at Simon Fraser University instructing at the graduate level. Robin has extensive leadership and public sector educational experience and has
held various senior positions including his former appointment as CEO and Superintendent of the North Vancouver School District. Robin's teaching experience includes work with UBC, UVic and the University of Manitoba. He has presented numerous provincial, national and international keynotes on educational leadership, policy and governance. He served as President of the BCSSA (BC School Superintendents Association) and played an important role as a member of Royal Commission on Education. Robin received a distinguished service award from the BCSSA for his leadership contributions in BC and Canada. Robin was also a member of the Canadian Forces Naval Unit.

Dr. Lionel Meno is Professor of Educational Leadership and Special Assistant to the President at San Diego State University. Prior to this he served an 8 year term as Dean of the Faculty of Education in this prestigious academy. Other significant appointments in Lionel’s illustrious career included roles as Superintendent of Schools, Syracuse School District, New York; and Commissioner for K-12 Education in the State of Texas.

Dr. Bruce Beairsto is Superintendent of Schools for the Board of Education, Richmond School District No. 38, Metro Vancouver, BC. Bruce is also an Adjunct Professor in Educational Leadership in Graduate Programs, Faculty of Education, SFU. He is frequently in demand, as a thoughtful, intelligent and grounded presenter on educational issues.

Dr. Alfredo Cuellar is Senior Instructor and Chair of Educational Leadership at the Graduate program of Educational Administration at California State University, Fresno. He has worked in more than 20 universities in his professional career and holds the distinction of being the first Mexican professor to teach at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Alfredo is the author of numerous scholarly publications in the United Staes, Mexico and other countries on topics related to education, social science, higher education, and educational policies.

Dr. Patrick Renihan is a Professor in the Department of Educational Administration at the University of Saskatchewan. He is also Director of the Saskatchewan Educational Leadership Unit. Patrick has published numerous scholarly articles on issues related to school leadership, effective teaching, effective schools, parental involvement and diverse learning and learners. His research interests focus largely on the role of the Principal in relation to these issues. Patrick is regularly featured as a keynote speaker at educational conferences in Canada, the United States and Europe.