Ken Diefenbach is the elected Professional Staff representative on the CQUniversity Council. Currently working as Project Manager, Business Intelligence, Ken’s background is in information technology, with an emphasis on data warehousing and data visualisation. Ken is highly regarded as a speaker as well as a practitioner, presenting at university sector and technical forums both nationally and internationally. He’s also played an Egyptian pharoah on the small stage.
What is your first memory?
Learning to read the motel signs on the Gold Coast when I went on my father’s dry cleaning runs.
Are you a CQUni alumnus?
No, but my eldest son is. He’s a Bachelor of Learning Management (Sec) grad, who teaches Maths and Physics at St Brendan’s College in Yeppoon.
What was a recent highlight of your life?
Playing the role of Pharoah in the Yeppoon Choral Society’s production of Joseph and His Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat. I sacrificed 34 years of moustache, but it was worth it.
Have there been any awkward moments while working at CQUni?
Discovering I’d swum a kilometre in the pool with my togs on inside out… (sometime last century I might add).
What is the best thing about CQUni?
The amazing people here. In good times and especially in the worst of times.
What do you love most about your role?
Bringing numbers to life in front of people and watching them latch on and explore more. Being the Professional Staff rep on Council also allows me to contribute in ways I’ve not been able to in the past. The external members in the group are simply amazing in what they bring – the University is very well served by them.
Who is the most famous person you’ve ever met?
Kevin Rudd was in my grade for the last four years of high school.
Who was your childhood hero and why?
Thor. He had long hair and muscles and I had neither.
