Liz Foster

Liz Foster is the Executive Principal of Wavell State High School in Brisbane and National President of the Australian Council for Educational Leaders. With more than 15 years of leadership experience across prominent Queensland schools including Ferny Grove State High School, Stretton State College, Kelvin Grove State College, and MacGregor State High School, Liz is recognised for her collaborative leadership style and commitment to building future-focused learning cultures.

Currently coaching school leaders across Queensland, Liz is passionate about creating environments where people feel empowered to contribute meaningfully to decision-making, innovation, and school improvement. Her leadership philosophy centres on developing shared vision, fostering high-performing teams, and encouraging contextual conversations, deep listening, and thinking beyond conventional systems and structures.

Beyond her work in schools, Liz actively contributes to the broader education sector as an Executive Member of the Public Schools Alliance and former Chair of QUT’s Faculty of Education Board. She is widely respected for her ability to connect authentically with people while building strong cultural communities grounded in trust, accountability, and professional growth.

Student leadership remains central to Liz’s approach, with a strong focus on designing programs that build student capability, confidence, and agency. Guided by research-informed practice and a commitment to challenging traditional paradigms of teaching and leadership, Liz continues to inspire educators and school communities to reimagine what learning and leadership can look like for the future.