Governance

Diane Joseph is a public policy expert with significant experience in the education and training sectors. Diane’s expertise in policy and strategy is based on a background of more than 35 years working in public service, including as Director-General of Education and Training in the Australian Capital Territory, a breadth of senior executive positions in the ACT and Victoria, as well as a secondary school principal and teacher.

Bret Morris is currently employed in a consultancy business, Gyre Digital, where he leads strategy and business development functions for the company with a strong focus on organisational transformation leveraging technology. He is also currently a board member of the South Australian Department for Education's new Education Management System project and is Interim Chief Digital Health Officer for the South Australian Department for Health and Wellbeing. Prior to this Mr Morris was the Chief Information Officer for the South Australian Government, responsible for increasing the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the Government's usage of its IT assets. Mr Morris was also Executive Director in the South Australian Department of Premier and Cabinet delivering a wide range of corporate support functions.

Mark Lamont has knowledge, experience and networks in education, enterprise and technology innovation. Mark has engaged in transformational school and further education initiatives at local, system and international levels, and with education technology services providers across Australia and worldwide.

Kathe Kirby is an experienced education professional with a career spanning teaching, teacher education, policy development and leading innovation in schools and education systems. Kathe was Executive Director of Asialink and the Asia Education Foundation from 1995.

Lynn Davie has spent over forty years supporting and driving innovation and educational reform, as a teacher, school leader, and senior public servant. She is a highly regarded educator, who has been recognised locally and internationally for her work in learning and teaching and how to embed digital technologies to add value.

John Mula is the Deputy Director Catholic Education South Australia. Prior to this appointment, John was Executive Director of Catholic Education Tasmania for five years. John is a teacher and educational leader with 35 years of experience in a diverse range of educational settings including private training colleges and schools.

Sam Spadavecchia has extensive experience in general management, finance, management consulting, risk, auditing and information technology. Sam has been the independent expert (non-Director) member of the Finance, Risk and Audit Committee for six years.

Liz Johnson is the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Education at Deakin University leading the education mission of the university. Liz trained as a research biochemist and has over 30 years’ experience as a university educator and leader. Liz is an Australian National Teaching Fellow and a Principal Fellow of Advance HE (UK) and has led national projects supporting science curriculum development, work-integrated learning and outreach to schools.

Jenny Atta has been Secretary of the Victorian Department of Education and Training since March 2019. Prior to this appointment, Jenny held a variety of senior leadership roles across the public sector, including with the Department of Treasury and Finance. As Secretary, Jenny leads the Department’s implementation of Victorian Government policy on early childhood services, school education and training and higher education services. Jenny was awarded a Public Service Medal in June 2021 for outstanding public service to strategic social policy reform and delivery in Victoria.

Andrew Smith has qualifications in education, science and business and brings to the role of CEO extensive experience and expertise in strategic leadership in the education, training and not-for-profit sectors. Previously Andrew has been the CEO of the Australian Council for Private Education and Training and Vice President (Engagement) at Swinburne University.

Nick Weideman has over 25 years’ experience in delivering education technology solutions. This includes elearning, online assessment and student data systems, as well as product marketing and delivery across all stages of the software development lifecycle. Prior to joining ESA, he oversaw the development of learning management systems, elearning content, online video and simulation-based courses for Australian and international customers in the financial services, health and telecommunications sector. Nick began his IT career in marketing, training and support of PC-based computer-aided design, 3D animation, virtual reality and multimedia systems across Australia for Autodesk Inc.

Stuart Mitchell has extensive experience in general management as well as in the theory, application, and development of global online educational software systems. Stuart has qualifications in English literature and applied media and is the co-inventor of an internationally patented formative assessment system.

Mary Munro has extensive experience in Human Resources across a variety of industries including NFP, Information Technology , Finance, and global matrix organizations. Mary has held roles covering all facets of People and Capability functions including mergers and acquisitions, start up organizations through to leading and coaching high performance human resources teams who have undertaken a diverse range of role through Australia and Asia.

Libby Tuckerman has extensive experience in online education and learning design. She has worked on a diverse range of successful projects and services in the NFP, tertiary and corporate sectors. Libby has qualifications in education and before joining ESA, she was the Manager of elearning at the NAB.

Throughout his extensive career in the for-purpose sector with organisations such as the Australian Red Cross and Brotherhood of St. Laurence, Cameron has been responsible for organisational financial sustainability, strategic planning and driving innovation. Cameron is a fellow of the CPA and a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and holds a Master of Business Administration.