The panel will include:
Lynn Davis: Lynn is a dedicated career development practitioner with over eight years of experience supporting culturally diverse and vulnerable clients, including refugees, Indigenous Australians, individuals with disabilities, and those involved in youth justice or out-of-home care.
Her work spans government, community, and independent sectors, focusing on empowering clients from marginalized backgrounds to build confidence, develop agency, and achieve sustainable employment and educational goals.
She delivers trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and strengths-based career counselling, facilitates workshops to enhance work-readiness and identity, and collaborates with wellbeing teams and community organizations to address systemic barriers and promote equitable participation.
With a background that includes leading VET and workplace learning programs, statewide career initiatives, and government-funded career counselling, Lynn has supported thousands of young people and adults in clarifying goals, completing training, securing work placements, and transitioning into further study or employment. Her practice is rooted in culturally responsive methods and evidence-based career development theory, emphasizing inclusivity and equity.
Lynn is also a qualified trainer and assessor, a mentor to neurodivergent young adults, and an active member of CDAA, CEAV, and CICA. Her two decades of experience in global client-facing roles at Oracle, combined with her community education work, give her a unique blend of empathy, strategic insight, and industry expertise. She is passionate about creating pathways that restore hope, dignity, and a sense of possibility for individuals navigating complex life circumstances.
Ayesha Umar: Ayesha is a member of the Cultural Diversity and First Nations Committee of Women On Boards, the National Executive Committee of the Career Development Association of Australia, and the Industry Advisory Committee of RMIT University. In 2024, she represented Australia as an Educational Leader at UNESCO’s Global Inclusion Summit in Paris, showcasing her commitment to inclusive education.
She is a Career Coach and Senior Assessor at Hudson Global Resources and School Development Manager at Elastik. She has worked with culturally diverse clients on projects such as the Digital Jobs Program, Mid-Career Check Point Program, and Career Insights Program. Recently, she was invited to advise skilled migrants on career development on SBS radio podcast. With lived experience as a culturally diverse person, she advocates for inclusive practices.
Ayesha holds a Master of Teaching Secondary, Grad. Cert. in Gifted Education, Grad. Cert. Careers Education and Development, and a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering. She is currently pursuing a Juris Doctor. She has contributed to national initiatives like Diversity in STEM and the ACARA Work Studies Curriculum, providing valuable insights in advisory roles. As a sought-after speaker, she has presented at EduTech Conferences, the National Conferences of the Career Development Association of Australia, and the World Council for Gifted and Talented Children Conferences.
Passionate about empowering culturally diverse women in leadership and supporting high-potential students, Ayesha is dedicated to fostering self-efficacy and helping individuals reach their potential.
Paul Armstrong: CDAA NEC member and director/owner of his own private career consultancy. Paul will moderate this discussion.
CPD Points: 1.5 Hours
CPD Competency: Diversity and Inclusion
Cost: $30 Members | $45 Non-Members
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