NT education power rankings: The leaders who shape our students, schools and universities

We’ve ranked the 10 most influential education figures in the Territory, from prominent principals to policy heavyweights and uni visionaries. See who tops the list.

War on truancy, shocking childcare revelations, caps to international students and the biggest reforms to Northern Territory schools in decades – 2025 has been a turbulent year for education.

Throughout the year, these 10 education heavyweights have dominated the education debate in the Territory.

Some are household names, while others operate behind the scenes, ensuring the care and quality education of tens of thousands of Territorians.
Topping the list this year is Department of Education and Training NT chief executive Susan Bowden, who nudged out Education Minister Jo Hersey for the top spot.

While Hersey is the talking head of education, speaking tough on issues like truancy and back to basics schooling, Bowden is the real operator.

The two stand shoulder to shoulder at press conferences, with Bowden often stepping in to clarify or explain the more complex details of running the nation’s most sparse and disadvantaged education system.

Bowden and Hersey both have a tough job on their hands, made even more difficult by the looming phasing out of middle schools. 

Set to begin from next year, there are still many obstacles to overcome with the momentous shift to comprehensive year 7-12 schools.

This will have to be balanced with the continuous demands of Territory education which include increased violence in schools, abysmal attendance rates and stagnating literacy and numeracy outcomes.

This year was big, but by all indications, 2026 will be even bigger for the pair.

Other heavyweights on the list include Charles Darwin University vice-chancellor Scott Bowman, who has big ambitions for Australia’s northernmost university.

Bowman has been instrumental in a number of the university’s big initiatives, including a new city campus and medical building, and broader horizons in London.

Australian Education Union NT president Michelle Ayres also sits in the top five, and so too does Yothu Yindi Foundation chief executive Denise Bowden – both fierce advocates in their own right.

Other figures in the top 10 include early childhood education advocates, top-ranked principals, innovative researchers and excellent training organisations.

On a broader stage, it’s impossible to look past reforming juggernaut and federal Education Minister Jason Clare for top spot on our national power list.

Former Territory principal Andy Mison also made the national top 20 list in his role as president of Australian Secondary Principals Association, bringing a Territory perspective to the national stage.

Originally published as NT education power rankings: The leaders who shape our students, schools and universities