Invited speakers
Dr Brandi Simonsen
University of Connecticut
Dr Brandi Simonsen is a professor of Special Education at the University of Connecticut. She Co-Directs the U.S. National Technical Assistance Center on Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS; www.pbis.org) and the U.S. National Multi-Tiered System of Supports Research Network (MTSS-RN; www.mtss.org). She has published well over 100 articles, chapters, and other publications; and she has written two books on PBIS in the classroom with colleagues. Brandi's scholarship focuses on supporting educators' implementation of PBIS practices. Before joining the faculty at UConn, Brandi directed an alternative school for students with disabilities who had intensive educational and behavioural needs.
Dr Lisa McKay-Brown
University of Melbourne
Associate Professor Lisa McKay-Brown is a recognised inclusive education expert committed to improving outcomes for disengaged students. With over 20 years' experience across education, health, and community sectors, she specialises in Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), school attendance, and cross-sector collaboration. Her research translates evidence into practice, informing policy nationwide. Lisa has led numerous school-based initiatives and system-level projects that empower educators to create inclusive, responsive learning environments. Known for her collaborative approach and practical insights, Lisa's work enables all students to thrive by fostering equitable, supportive school cultures focused on wellbeing and engagement.
Dr Hank Bohanon
Loyola University Chicago
Dr Hank Bohanon is a professor in the School of Education at Loyola University Chicago. Previously, he worked as a special education teacher in Dallas Public Schools. He also served as a project coordinator at the University of Kansas, partnering with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs to research positive behaviour supports in secondary schools. Hank is a former board member of the Association of Positive Behavior Support. His current research examines integrating academic and behavioural supports within a multi-tiered system and aligning these supports with school improvement strategies. Hank also studies professional learning for in-service educators.
Dr Russell Fox
Monash University
Dr Russell Fox is a Lecturer in behaviour science in the Faculty of Education at Monash University. He is a trained primary school teacher with experience teaching and working in mainstream and alternative education settings. He has worked extensively with students of all ages at risk of school disengagement and or exhibiting contextually inappropriate behaviour. Russell has provided in-school behaviour support coaching, consultation, and PBIS implementation support to teachers and leaders across multiple Australian systems and states. His research interests include multi-tiered systems of support, responsive teacher training, implementation science, evidence-based instructional practices, and sustainability of evidence-based practices in education.
Dr Steve Goodman
I.MTSS Research Network
Dr Steve Goodman, PhD, is a research specialist at the University of Connecticut. He is a partner with the Center on PBIS and a co-investigator with the Integrated MTSS Research Network. Steve was the previous director of Michigan’s MTSS Technical Assistance Center. Steve serves on state, national, and international advisory boards for the implementation of MTSS. He has contributed to over 65 publications. Steve has presented and worked with educators across the nation and in ten other countries on topics of PBIS and MTSS.
Dr Lorna Hepburn
Educational Consultant
Dr Lorna Hepburn is an educational consultant who supports educators with PBL implementation and professional development. She spent over a decade leading PBL in Queensland government schools and has also worked as a teacher, head of department, behaviour consultant and regional PBL coach. Lorna has authored several academic works and serves on the steering committee for the Association for Positive Behaviour Support Australia.
Dr Ruthie Payno-Simmons
Educational Consultant
Dr Ruthie Payno-Simmons (formerly Riddle) is the Founder and Executive Consultant of RPS Educational Impact and an internationally recognised leader in educational equity. She currently serves as Project Director for Region Three for the Center for Educational Equity through the Mid Atlantic Equity Consortium (MAEC). Previously, she was Associate Director of the Midwest and Plains Equity Assistance Center (MAP Center), where she led equity-focused professional development and technical assistance across thirteen states. With over 25 years of experience in PreK–12 education, leadership, and systems-level support, Dr. Payno-Simmons has advanced efforts to eliminate academic and discipline disparities affecting minoritized students. She played a pivotal role in the Michigan PBIS Equity Pilot, significantly reducing racial disparities in discipline and improving school climate.
Dr Payno-Simmons collaborates nationally with technical assistance centres and education agencies to develop equity-focused practices and build sustainable educational systems through Multi-tiered Systems of Support and continuous improvement. She also contributes to national workgroups, including the PBIS Equity and Belonging Workgroup and the PBIS Classroom and Disability Workgroup, where she helps create evidence-based tools to support educators in implementing culturally sustaining practices.
Christopher Evers
Department of Education (QLD)
Christopher Evers is an experienced educator with a diverse background across the Queensland Department of Education. Having worked in almost every level of the system, from teacher aide through to senior executive leadership. Throughout his career, he has focused on improving educational outcomes for students, particularly in strengthening equity, engagement, and opportunities for those who have historically faced barriers within education systems. His work has spanned classrooms, schools, and system wide reform. In 2023, he returned to Palm Island to work at Bwgcolman Community School.
Dr Natalie Swayn
Department of Education (QLD)
Natalie Swayn is a former secondary school teacher turned policy leader with more than thirty years of experience across education, disability and higher education sectors. As Director Student Behaviour in the Queensland Department of Education she has carriage of policy design for school discipline across more than 1200 state schools supporting over 550,000 students in the most decentralised state in Australia, where more than half of the schools are located in rural and remote locations. Her work is heavily influenced by complex dynamic decision-making theory as an approach to addressing the 'wicked problems' of school discipline and the importance of remaining conscious to the intended and unintended real world consequences of policy and practice on students, staff and communities.