Organisations | Catholic Connect | 5 March 2026
Catholic Connect
29 July 2026
Economic Outlook: Navigating Change with Confidence and Purpose
Panel presenters
Ivan Colhoun
Consulting Economist,
Marex
Ivan is a highly experienced Chief Economist, advisor and keynote speaker on the Australian economy and financial markets.
Most recently, he was Chief Economist, Corporate & Institutional Banking for National Australia Bank, but has also been Chief Economist for Qantas and Chief Economist (Australia) for ANZ and Deutsche Bank. Ivan has consulted to SEEK, IATA and Virgin Australia and is currently Consulting Chief Economist to CreditorWatch and Consulting Economist to Perpetual Corporate Trustee, Marex and Bank of Sydney.
He holds a Bachelor of Economics with Honours from the University of Tasmania and commenced his career at the Reserve Bank of Australia.
Outside of work, Ivan has a Commercial Pilots’ Licence, plays golf, O55s soccer and his latest adventure is growing pinot noir in Tasmania. He’s also a passionate Arsenal and Western Bulldogs fan.
Martin Teulan
Executive Director,
AMPJP
Martin Teulan is Executive Director of the Association of Ministerial Public Juridic Persons (AMPJP), the national body representing many of Australia’s major Catholic health, aged care, education and community service ministries. In this role, he works closely with Church and sector leaders to support governance, leadership, mission integration and strategic collaboration across the Catholic for-purpose sector.
Martin brings extensive executive leadership experience across Catholic and community organisations, including senior roles with Catholic Mission, St John of God Health Care, Church Resources and the National Church Life Survey. His background spans mission integration, organisational strategy, stakeholder engagement, operational leadership and data-driven insight to support decision-making and long-term sustainability.
With a strong understanding of the economic, governance and social pressures shaping the Catholic sector, Martin is passionate about helping mission-driven organisations respond strategically to change while remaining grounded in purpose, stewardship and service. His work regularly engages with themes of leadership, sustainability, workforce pressures, governance and the future direction of Catholic ministries in Australia.
Prof Elizabeth Labone
Chief Executive Officer,
VCEA
Professor Elizabeth Labone is the Chief Executive Officer of the Victorian Catholic Education Authority (VCEA).
As CEO, Elizabeth is responsible for the leadership, stewardship and management of the VCEA.
A highly experienced senior executive leader with extensive experience in the field of education, particularly Catholic education, Elizabeth brings expertise in governance and compliance, strategic development and stakeholder engagement with government and industry to the VCEA.
Having started her career as a primary school teacher, Elizabeth subsequently held several senior leadership positions over three decades at Australian Catholic University and the University of Notre Dame Australia, where she was most recently Deputy Vice Chancellor (Learning and Teaching).
She is currently a member of the Initial Teacher Education Quality Assurance Oversight Board and the boards of the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority and the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority. She has previously served on the National Schools Resourcing Board, the board of Sydney Catholic Schools Ltd and as a director of Loreto College, Normanhurst.
Professor Labone has a Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Education (with Merit) from the University of Sydney and a Bachelor of Education from the University of Canberra.
John McClusky
Chief Executive Officer,
CDF
John McClusky has recently been appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Catholic Development Fund (CDF), bringing more than 30 years of senior leadership experience across banking, corporate finance and international markets.
John has held executive leadership roles across Australia, Asia, the United States, the United Kingdom and Europe, building extensive expertise in strategic finance, capital markets, institutional banking and organisational leadership. His career includes significant leadership positions with Deutsche Bank AG and National Australia Bank (NAB), where he held senior executive roles including General Manager of Capital Financing, CEO & Head of NAB UK, Europe & Asia, and most recently Executive Head of Corporate Finance & Head of NAB Asia, as well as serving as a member of NAB’s Corporate & Institutional Bank leadership team.
John holds qualifications in economics and finance and is recognised for his leadership in corporate banking, capital financing, international markets and strategic advisory. His expertise spans leadership, corporate finance, stakeholder engagement, governance, capital management and organisational strategy.
Workshop overview
Economic Outlook: Navigating Change with Confidence and Purpose
Catholic organisations across education, health, aged care, social services and ministry, continue to face growing economic pressure, uncertainty and operational complexity. Rising operating costs, workforce challenges, changing funding environments and broader global instability are requiring leaders to make considered decisions that support both organisational sustainability and mission.
In response to conversations emerging across the sector, this Catholic Connect workshop will provide a forward-looking economic discussion, exploring the trends shaping the broader economic landscape and what they may mean for Catholic organisations and the communities we serve.
As a central financial partner to Catholic organisations, CDF is uniquely positioned to help lead this important conversation, creating opportunities for leaders to come together, share perspectives and explore how organisations can continue to respond with confidence, resilience and mission-focus during periods of disruption and change.
The workshop will feature a keynote economic overview from Ivan Colhoun, followed by an expert panel discussion exploring leadership, financial stewardship, workforce pressures, sustainability and the opportunities that can emerge during uncertain economic conditions.
Key Discussion Areas:
- Economic trends shaping the future operating environment
- Financial pressures impacting Catholic organisations
- Workforce challenges and operational sustainability
- Strategic planning during periods of uncertainty
- Balancing financial stewardship with mission priorities
- Leading organisations through economic disruption and change
- Identifying opportunities for innovation, resilience and impact
Why Attend:
- Gain insight into the economic trends impacting Catholic organisations
- Hear practical perspectives from experienced sector leaders
- Explore strategies to support resilience and sustainability
- Engage in meaningful discussion with peers across the Catholic sector
- Strengthen connections and collaboration across mission-driven organisations
This is a complimentary event. Please register to help with planning and catering arrangements.
Agenda:
- Light networking lunch
- Welcome
- Presentation
- Panel Discussion
- Workshop
- Summary & close
Want to join the conversation?
Date: Wednesday 29 July 2026
Time: 12.30 pm to 3.30 pm
Venue: Australian Catholic University Greg Craven Centre
Level 7, St Teresa of Kolkata Building, 115 Victoria Parade, Fitzroy 3065
Host: Catholic Development Fund (CDF)
The Fund is required by law to make the following disclosure. Investment in the Fund is only intended to attract investors whose primary purpose for making their investment is to support the charitable purposes of the Fund. Investors’ funds will be used to generate a return to the Fund that will be applied to further the charitable works of the Archdiocese of Melbourne and the Dioceses of Sale, Bunbury and Ballarat. The Fund is not prudentially supervised by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority nor has it been examined or approved by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). An investor in the Fund will not receive the benefit of the financial claims scheme or the depositor protection provisions in the Banking Act 1959 (Cth). The investments that the Fund offers are not subject to the usual protections for investors under the Corporations Act (Cth) or regulation by ASIC. Investors may be unable to get some or all of their money back when the investor expects or at all and investments in the Fund are not comparable to investments with banks, finance companies or fund managers. The Fund’s identification statement may be viewed here or by contacting the Fund. The Fund does not hold an Australian Financial Services Licence.
