In this episode of the Broken Education Podcast, Vygo Co-Founder & Co-CEO Joel Di Trapani and Vygo’s Director of Sales Lyndin Smith-Francis sit down with Professor Nick Klomp, Vice-Chancellor and President of CQUniversity, for a candid conversation about the realities, responsibilities, and untapped potential of regional higher education.

With more than five years at the helm of one of Australia’s largest regional universities, Professor Klomp has led CQUniversity with a clear and consistent mission: to unlock the potential of regional Australia through equitable access to world-class education and training. His leadership reflects a deep belief that universities are not just places of learning, but critical infrastructure for social mobility, workforce development, and long-term community prosperity.

Together, Joel, Lyndin, and Professor Klomp explore how regional universities like CQUniversity play a transformative role far beyond the classroom supplying skilled workforces for critical industries, driving applied and community-focused research, fueling local economies, and acting as anchor institutions in regions often overlooked by traditional education models.

This episode is a powerful reminder that fixing education doesn’t always start in capital cities—and that regional universities may be some of the most important engines of change in the future of learning.

In this episode of the Broken Education Podcast, host Joel Di Trapani, Co-Founder of Vygo, sits down with Professor Pascale Quester, Vice-Chancellor and President of Swinburne University of Technology, for a refreshingly direct conversation about leadership, strategy, and why higher education must let go of nostalgia if it wants to remain relevant.

Pascale is one of Australia’s most distinctive higher education leaders. A globally recognised scholar in consumer behaviour and marketing, a former Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Executive Dean at the University of Adelaide, and a recipient of France’s National Order of Merit (twice), she brings an uncommon mix of academic credibility, commercial thinking, and fearless clarity to university leadership.

From the outset, Pascale challenges the idea of universities as “vanilla” institutions trying to be everything to everyone. She explains how Swinburne deliberately reclaimed its identity as a university of technology, built around a unifying vision: where people and technology work together for a better world. What followed was not incremental change, but strategic focus—four bold “moonshots,” the courage to say no, and a refusal to invest in work that doesn’t align with Swinburne’s purpose.

In this episode of the Broken Education Podcast, host Joel Di Trapani, Co-Founder of Vygo, sits down with Renee Leon, Vice-Chancellor and President of Charles Sturt University, for a candid and deeply grounded conversation about equity, regional education, and what it truly means for universities to serve the public good.

Renee brings an extraordinary perspective to higher education leadership. A first-in-family university graduate, she has built a distinguished career across senior roles in Commonwealth and state government, including CEO of the Departments of Human Services and Employment. A Menzies Foundation Law Scholar with degrees from ANU and Cambridge, and a recipient of the Public Service Medal, Renee’s journey is a living example of the transformative power of education.

From the outset, Renee reframes the role of a regional university as something far bigger than student enrolments or rankings. Under her leadership, Charles Sturt University positions itself as an anchor institution for regional Australia—educating the nurses, teachers, vets, health professionals, and agricultural leaders who sustain regional communities and largely stay to serve them.

Joel and Renee explore how CSU’s mission extends beyond individual students to the economic, social, and health outcomes of entire regions. From agriculture and climate resilience to regional health equity, Renee explains how CSU deliberately focuses its research on problems that matter—locally grounded, yet nationally and globally relevant.

In this episode of the Broken Education Podcast, host Joel Di Trapani, Co-Founder and CEO of Vygo, sits down with Professor Rufus Black, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Tasmania, for a deep and unflinching conversation about what’s broken in education and what it will take to fix it.

Rufus brings a rare blend of academic depth, ethical clarity, and real-world leadership. A Rhodes Scholar with degrees spanning law, politics, economics, ethics, and theology, his career has bridged elite academia, public policy, and global consulting, including time as a partner at McKinsey & Company. Yet throughout the conversation, one theme is unmistakable: education is not about institutions, it’s about moral imagination, service, and freedom.

The episode closes with one of the most provocative moments of the series. When asked what he would say to a world leader in education, Rufus calls for global philanthropic capital—on the scale of the world’s largest fortunes to fund radically new educational models, free from slow-moving bureaucratic constraints. It’s a response that reflects the core message of the episode: real change won’t come from protecting institutions, but from being brave enough to disrupt them.

In this episode of the Broken Education Podcast, Vygo Co-Founder & Co-CEO Joel Di Trapani sits down with Professor Alex Zelinsky AO, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Newcastle. An internationally recognised researcher, leader, and innovator, Alex has built a career at the intersection of technology, higher education, and national impact.

Joel and Alex explore his journey from academic breakthroughs to national leadership, and how his vision is shaping the University of Newcastle as a catalyst for social, economic, and community transformation. Driven by a passion for solving big challenges and developing talent, Alex shares how universities can connect research, industry, and community to make a real difference in people’s lives.

In this episode of the Broken Education Podcast, Vygo’s Co-Founder & Co-CEO, Joel Di Trapani, sits down with Mark Kopec, International General Manager at Bupa, who brings over 20 years of global leadership experience across the insurance, healthcare, and startup sectors. With a background in engineering and a mindset driven by curiosity and impact, Mark shares his philosophy on building people-first businesses that deliver lasting value. He discusses the art of leading cross-functional teams across B2B, B2C, and B2B2C ecosystems, and how customer-centricity and authentic partnerships have powered his journey.

Recorded at the UA Solutions Summit 2025, this Broken Education Podcast episode features Vygo’s Co-Founder & Co-CEO, Joel Di Tripani, in conversation with Professor George Williams AO, Vice-Chancellor and President of Western Sydney University. Starting as the fifth Vice-Chancellor in July 2024, he leads an institution known for expanding access to higher education and driving social, environmental, and economic impact. A renowned constitutional law scholar, barrister, and thought leader, Professor Williams fosters innovation and equity, shaping the sector with his extensive experience in higher education leadership.

In this episode of the Broken Education Podcast, Vygo’s Co-Founder & Co-CEO, Joel Di Trapani, sits down with Alphia Possamai-Inesedy, Pro Vice-Chancellor Student Success at Western Sydney University. Alphia leads strategic initiatives that enhance student success from pre-admission through to graduation and employment, ensuring a holistic approach to academic achievement, well-being, and career readiness.

Beyond her role at WSU, Alphia is the President of the Australian Sociological Association and the inaugural Chair of the Social Justice Network, where she champions equity and social justice in higher education. Passionate about innovative leadership and inclusive education, her work continues to shape student success strategies and meaningful community impact.