Profile
“I’ve consistently fostered collaboration. In my current role, I continue this work, uniting schools and systems across Australia and New Zealand to achieve incredible learning outcomes”
Brett Salakas,
HP
Brett Salakas is the HP Education Ambassador, with support from Intel, for Australia and New Zealand.
Early in his teaching career, he worked extensively across Southeast Asia, and a spell in the high-tech environment of Singapore ignited a passion for integrating technology into education.
Salakas went on to found #aussieED on Twitter, now X, which became one of the largest online teaching networks in Australia.
“I’ve consistently fostered collaboration. In my current role, I continue this work, uniting schools and systems across Australia and New Zealand to achieve incredible learning outcomes,” Salakas says.
Further evidence of this is how he worked within the NSW Department of Education to build the Learning from Home Hub, which became vital during the pandemic.
“We managed millions of unique visitors, achieving rapid builds and rollouts in unprecedented timeframes,” says Salakas. “This work was crucial for maintaining educational continuity during the pandemic and showcased the potential for swift, effective collaboration in crisis situations.”
A key aspect of his work is ensuring technology is used optimally but does not displace the “human touch.”
He explains, “My work is dedicated to using technology to enhance educational relationships and tailor learning experiences. This strategy ensures that our approach remains student centred even as we navigate rapid technological changes.”
Building F, Rhodes Corporate Park, 1 Homebush Bay Dr, Rhodes, NSW 2138
+61425264424
brett.salakas@hp.cpm
linkedin.com/in/brett-salakas-13380999
hp.com.au/rtc
Brett Salakas
Education Ambassador for Australia and New Zealand
HP
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Milestones
“My mindset is focused on growth, exploration and continuing to make a significant impact on educational communities globally”
Brett Salakas,
HP
1999–2002
2003–2019
2019–2021
2023
Present
School Teacher and Leader at LWSC Singapore
1999–
2002
School Teacher and Leader in various Sydney Catholic schools
2003–
2019
NSW Department of Education (PEO Strategic Partnerships and Engagement, COVID response: Leader of the Learning from Home Hub)
2019–
2022
HP Education Ambassador
2023
LinkedIn’s TOP VOICE (top 1% worldwide) in K-12 Education, NSWICTE and ISTE ‘Making ‘IT’ Happen awards
District Administration Leadership Institute as one of the top 100 most influential leaders in education globally (the only Australian named on the list)
Present
Assistant Vice President and Senior Broker at MJ Hall & Company since 2018
Present
Milestones
Aug 2022
Milestones
Sept 2021
Feb 2022
Apr 2022
Jul 2022
Aug
2022
Suncorp Bank introduces Solar Home Bonus offer for customers who are choosing renewable energy for their homes
Sept 2021
Month-on-month market share growth commences
Feb 2022
Suncorp Bank wins the Canstar award for most outstanding value in investment loans
Apr 2022
Suncorp Bank wins Money Magazine’s Bank of the Year and Business Bank of the Year awards for the fifth year in a row
Jul 2022
Suncorp Bank’s turnaround times are the lowest they have ever been. The lender becomes Australia’s first certified carbon neutral bank for both its operation and transaction services
Aug 2022
Milestones
• Gold award for Magazine or Newspaper Advertisement
• Silver award for Promotional Email
• Silver award for Most Out-of-the-Box Idea
As a founding member of WOW! (Women. Opportunity. Winning.), an employee resource group created for all women of Ryan Specialty, Phillips Topping has long championed for women in the industry.
“It’s very important to set an example and to not only inspire but mentor other females,” she adds.
In addition to her sharp marketing eye, the key to Phillips Topping’s success lies in her high-energy approach and positive attitude.
“As the leader of a team, it’s important to motivate and encourage your team members. People work very hard and do their best and it’s important to recognize these efforts. For my career overall, my attitude has been one of curiosity. The more you can learn, the better you’ll understand the business, and then the deeper your knowledge will become, making you a better team member.”
Chief underwriting officer of executive risk at Chubb
President of financial insurance solutions at Kemper
Chief underwriting officer at Axis Capital
CEO of global Insurance at Endurance
CEO of global Insurance at Sompo International
Salakas is passionate about supporting schools and advising systems on all tech matters, regardless of the software platforms being used.
“My work in integrating technology into education is designed to equip students with the skills and adaptability they’ll need in an increasingly digital world. This work is pivotal in preparing students to be innovative creators and thoughtful leaders in their future careers and communities.”
A common initiative Salakas introduces is enabling educators to make full use of the technology at their disposal. Often, there are significant financial outlays on hardware, but we all need to ensure teacher training and support occur at a commiserate level.
Salakas says, “My role often involves facilitating and unlocking potential within teams, ensuring that our collective efforts enhance wider community success. This role enables me to shape the landscape of digital education and ensure that technology is used as a powerful tool.”
The tech educator has fostered a reputation as a thought leader, appearing regularly at international conferences and has also released a successful book, A Mammoth Lesson: Teaching in the Digital Age.
That sparked the formation of his own firm dedicated to releasing books by Australian educators, and he has set a target of empowering 50 teachers to publish their experiences and insights.
While honoured to be named one of The Educator’s Most Influential Educators of 2024, Salakas has designs on making an even greater impact.
“Being recognised has reinforced my commitment to educational innovation and community building. With the support of HP and Intel, I aim to scale and grow my current work, reaching even broader audiences,” he says. “My mindset is focused on growth, exploration and continuing to make a significant impact on educational communities globally.”
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