Hilary Hughes has been a languages teacher for over thirty years and has always been a passionate advocate for languages learning and has promoted intercultural understanding for the students of NSW.

She has worked in resource development, language teacher professional learning and curriculum advisory positions.

As Principal of NSW School of Languages, Hilary led the transformation of the school to being a lighthouse of languages learning.

Now as Director, Community Languages and International Programs she leads the Community Languages Schools Program which supports language learning for over 35,000 students, the hugely successful Secondary College of Languages as well as the dynamic DE International organisation, ensuring that as many students as possible have the opportunity to learn and share their cultural heritage and language.