Broken Education

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.

In this episode of the Broken Education Podcast, Vygo’s Co-Founder & Co-CEO, Joel Di Trapani, sits down with Sam Jacob, Chief Executive Officer at Collarts (Australian College of the Arts). With over 30 years of experience in higher education, Sam has held pivotal roles, including Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Students & VET at Charles Darwin University, as well as other senior positions at Torrens, Deakin, Monash, and Adelaide universities, driving innovative and student-focused strategies.

As a visionary in reimagining the future of education, Sam specialises in aligning institutions with evolving student needs, transforming creativity into a powerful force for change. Beyond Sam’s role at Collarts, Sam is a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion, actively supporting the queer community through board roles and volunteer efforts, and inspiring the next generation of changemakers.

In this episode of the Broken Education Podcast, Vygo’s Co-Founder & Co-CEO, Joel Di Trapani, sits down with Ray Batra, Co-Founder of Future of Higher Ed. Ray is dedicated to solving complex problems by deeply understanding challenges, connecting innovative ideas, and executing with agility. His work focuses on shaping the future of higher education through transformative strategies and meaningful collaborations, driving impactful change in the sector.

In this episode of the Broken Education Podcast, Vygo’s Co-Founder & Co-CEO, Joel Di Trapani, sits down with Jamie Fitch, Co-Founder of OnlineMedEd, driving transformative solutions in higher education .Jamie spent nine years scaling OnlineMedEd’s educational platform, enhancing learning methodologies, and streamlining operations to prepare the next generation of healthcare professionals.Now focused on strengthening global healthcare education and infrastructure, Jamie addresses critical challenges in student development, institutional training, and facility enhancements.

In this episode of the Broken Education Podcast, Vygo’s Co-Founder & Co-CEO, Joel Di Trapani, sits down with Ron Reed, Founder & Former Executive Producer of SXSW EDU. With a background in educational publishing and technology, Ron helped pioneer the use of technology in education funding and later founded SXSW EDU in 2011. The event has since become a leading platform for innovation and collaboration in education, bringing together diverse voices to explore the future of learning. Ron’s work continues to inspire creativity and social impact in the education space.

In this episode of the Broken Education Podcast, Vygo’s Co-Founder & Co-CEO, Joel Di Trapani, sits down with Kevin Bell Ed.D, Head of Higher Education and Research - ANZ at Amazon Web Services (AWS). A pioneering force in the realm of digital education, Kevin has been an early developer of large-scale online programs and EdTech initiatives. His focus is on leveraging digital innovation to empower learners to showcase their competencies and thrive in a post-COVID world shaped by the 4th Industrial Revolution. As a published author and visionary leader, Kevin is recognised for his collaborative spirit and forward-thinking approach to education.

In this episode of the Broken Education Podcast, Vygo’s Co-Founder & Co-CEO, Joel Di Trapani, sits down with Kai Talas, Co-Founder and Partner at Sparkmind.vc. As a seasoned Edtech VC investor, Kai specialises in pre-seed and beyond investments across Europe. With 20 years of expertise in strategy, business development, venture capital, and M&A, his career spans tech startups to multinational corporations. Driven by a passion for education and entrepreneurship, Kai's deep understanding of the learning industry continues to fuel innovation and growth in the edtech sector.

In this episode of the Broken Education Podcast, Vygo’s Co-Founder & Co-CEO, Joel Di Trapani, sits down with Justin Downey and Jack Marsh, Co-Founders and Partners at Clearpact. Both experienced investment banking professionals and serial entrepreneurs, founded Clearpact, a next-generation investment bank. With extensive experience advising founder-led and private equity-backed companies in the tech and tech-enabled services sectors, Justin and Jack have guided numerous businesses through early-stage capital raises and late-stage M&A transactions. Their combined expertise continues to shape the future of investment banking.