The Champions Coffee Podcast

In this episode of the Champions Coffee Podcast, Vygo’s Head of Partner Engagement, Lyndin Francis, sits down with Professor Elizabeth Johnson, Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic at Deakin University.

In this episode of the Champions Coffee Podcast, Vygo's Regional Director of Partners for EMEA, Hannah Gardner, sits down with Ellie Garraway, CEO of Grit, an organization reshaping mindsets in universities, schools, and local authorities. With a diverse background in theatre, coaching, and positive psychology, Ellie has dedicated over 20 years to empowering students and communities, fostering self-belief, and promoting student success. Under her leadership, Grit’s impactful programs have supported access, retention, and belonging across 50+ institutions and countless schools, transforming both individual lives and institutional cultures.

In this episode of the Champions Coffee Podcast, Vygo Co-Founder & Co-CEO Ben Hallet sits down with Russell Bailey, Head of Transformation at Murdoch University. With over 25 years of experience across higher education, Russell leads a diverse team of IT professionals, including enterprise architects, business analysts, and project managers. His expertise in strategic planning, project management, and IT architecture drives Murdoch’s digital transformation agenda.

In this episode of the Champions Coffee Podcast, Vygo Co-Founder Ben Hallet sits down with Dr. Omer Yezdani, Chief Data Officer at the University of the Sunshine Coast, whose career spans over 25 years in public, nonprofit, and higher education sectors. Known for his expertise in data, AI, and governance, Dr. Yezdani has led transformation across multiple industries, from his early work in communications technology with an ASX-listed firm to driving national education reform in the Federal Government. A passionate advocate for societal impact, he serves on various boards and holds awards for excellence in governance. Dr. Yezdani’s strategic insight and dedication continue to shape Australia’s higher education landscape.

In this episode of the Champions Coffee Podcast, Vygo's Regional Director of Partners for EMEA, Hannah Gardner, speaks with Tom Lowe, Principal Lecturer and Assistant Head of School (Student Experience) at the University of Westminster. With over a decade of experience in student engagement, Tom specializes in areas such as student voice, retention, employability, and student-staff partnership. As Chair of RAISE, Tom leads a network focused on researching and innovating student engagement in higher education. 

In this episode of the Champions Coffee Podcast, Vygo's Regional Director of Partners for EMEA, Hannah Gardner, speaks with Simon Massey, Associate Head of Sociology at Manchester Met and Director of the Q-Step Centre. A specialist in quantitative research methods, Dr. Massey teaches SPSS, R, and Python, with research focused on statistics anxiety and innovative teaching. As a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and a lead author for the Office for Students, he brings extensive expertise in data skills and education.

In this episode of the Champions Coffee Podcast, Vygo’s Co-Founder Ben Hallet & Head of Product Russell Holt sits down with, Craig Mutton, Chief Digital Officer and Vice President of Digital at the University of Canberra. With a wealth of experience across diverse industries, Craig is passionate about solving complex business challenges and driving organizational change through innovation, strategic thinking, and high-performing teams. He’s a strong advocate for diversity and uses approaches like design thinking and agile to create impactful solutions. Alongside his executive roles, Craig serves as a Non-Executive Director, supporting community-focused organizations with his strategic and business expertise.

In this episode of the Champions Coffee Podcast, Vygo's Regional Director of Partners for EMEA  Hannah Gardner sits down with Tania Struetzel, Director of Student Success at Southampton Solent University. Tania is an experienced student engagement practitioner who leads the Student Success Service, which focuses on employability, student services, and achievement. With extensive experience working in and with Students' Unions, she also serves as an External Trustee at Beds SU. Tania holds a PGCert in Student Engagement in Higher Education, where she links theoretical approaches to practical, institutional outcomes, making her a key figure in driving student success and engagement in higher education.

In this episode of the Champions Coffee Podcast, Vygo’s Co-Founder Ben Hallett sits down with Chris Ronan, CEO of the Country Universities Centre (CUC) and National President of the Society for the Provision of Education in Rural Australia (SPERA). With over a decade of leadership experience in the higher education sector, Chris has been at the forefront of equity and engagement initiatives aimed at improving access to education in rural and regional Australia. Under his leadership, CUC has expanded its support for rural students, providing pathways to higher education for underserved communities. Chris’s commitment to transforming education outcomes in remote areas continues to shape the future of rural education in Australia.

In this episode of the Champions Coffee Podcast, Vygo’s Co-Founder Ben Hallet sits down with Professor Kylie Readman, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice President of Education and Students at the University of Technology Sydney. A leader with extensive experience in higher education, Kylie is dedicated to enhancing student success, fostering inclusive communities, and driving innovation.