Marcus Ward is the Vice President (Advancement) at Griffith University in Queensland and is an accomplished advancement leader and philanthropy expert with international experience at leading organisations including The Prince’s Trust in London. 
 
Previously Chief Philanthropy Officer at Monash University, Marcus oversaw their first ever comprehensive fundraising campaign 'Change it. For good.' one of Australia’s most successful philanthropic campaigns and establishing Monash as one of Australia’s leading universities for philanthropic partnership. This included some of the largest philanthropic investments in Australian HE and building a community of 43,000 donors to inspire transformational support for breakthrough research and education for all. 
 
Prior to moving to Australia in 2013, Marcus was Head of Major Gifts at Queen’s University Belfast, where he worked on two comprehensive fundraising campaigns which redefined the importance of philanthropy in Northern Ireland and culminated in the team being recognised as the Times Higher University Fundraising Team of the Year 2012. 
 
Before that Marcus led the Corporate and Trust Fundraising Team at The Prince's Trust in London, the Prince of Wales's largest charity, securing its largest ever philanthropic relationship with the English Premier League, still in place over 20 years later. 
 

Deborah Carr joined WEHI (the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research) in December 2019, moving from Western Sydney University where she held senior Advancement roles since 2013, including Executive Director, Advancement from 2015 to 2019.Deborah is a passionate fundraising leader and practitioner, with extensive experience across the university sector, charities and medical research.

Deborah loves the world of fundraising and philanthropy - advancing the mission and goals of the organisations she works for by connecting passionate and committed supporters with what they care about most.

Deborah has a demonstrated track record of engaging leaders across large and complex organisations to help elevate a strategic philanthropic agenda.

Deborah has consistently built and enabled high performing fundraising teams, collaborated with internal stakeholders to drive change and developed long term, impactful relationships with generous donors and philanthropists.

The Vice-President (Advancement) leads the strategic direction for Advancement activities across the University, encompassing fundraising, alumni and stakeholder relations, and operations. The goals of ANU Advancement are to support University to achieve success against University strategic priorities, and build and strengthen partnerships with our alumni, donors and friends.

Alex Furman was appointed as Vice-President of Advancement in February 2023. A highly experienced leader of philanthropic and engagement programs, he previously held leadership roles in Advancement at the University of Melbourne as Director of Development, Head of Public Relations and Development for Murdoch Children's Research Institute, and leadership positions in fundraising and management in the Australian arts sector.

Liz Hawkins is the Executive Director of Advancement at University of Adelaide. She has over 30 years’ experience in fundraising within tertiary education, the arts & cultural sector and the not for profit across North America the UK and Australia. Liz currently leads an expanding team of 25 advancement professionals with the aim to embed the culture of philanthropy across the university, secure transformational gifts and help lead the 150th Anniversary celebrations in 2024.

After graduating from Cornell University, Liz worked for the University in the Advancement team for 5 years. After a 15-year stint as a professional actor, Liz returned to full-time fundraising and most recently worked as Director of Programming, Development and Venue Sales at Adelaide Festival Centre. Liz was an inaugural member of the CASE Asia Pacific Board and Council and is delighted to return once again as an APIEF faculty member.

Rebecca Hazell is a highly motivated advancement leader who is passionate about philanthropy, alumni and community engagement, with particular interest in building a philanthropic culture in higher education and connectivity with community.

Rebecca has held leadership roles at Western Sydney University and Queensland University of Technology. In 2010, Rebecca established a fundraising consultancy called Giving Capacity and shared her experience and knowledge with a broader range of non-profit and education-based organisations, including consulting on an award winning capital campaign.

Rebecca is currently the Director of Advancement at the University of Newcastle where she joined in 2013. Rebecca has led the establishment of an integrated University wide approach to advancement bringing together fundraising, alumni and community engagement programs into one office as well as further developing the strategy, culture and programs to enable a sustained, meaningful and next practice approach to engaging with alumni, community and donors across the globe.