Dr Mary Jean is a clear standout amongst all the educational leaders we host in Canberra.  The list of firsts for her are awe inspiring - in her homestate of Ontario, Canada, and globally. She has been working as a critical friend with ACT Education to support systems for school improvement. She is gifted at weaving the overall vision and theoretical evidence base with practical and grounded implementation structures. Always mindful of connecting this to our purpose and the ‘Why’ of educational leadership, Mary Jean always comes back to equity, excellence and wellbeing. Mary Jean conveys a deep wisdom and confidence, in her focus on what really matters,  that is so needed in our public debate in Australia. I could listen to her all day long!