Governance

Vicki Baylis started her career as a classroom teacher and school principal in North Queensland, Australia. She then became Executive Director within the Queensland Department of Education, responsible for all government schools in the North Queensland Region. In 2010, Vicki transitioned to the Northern Territory (NT) Department of Education, where from 2016 she was Chief Executive. Vicki has also served on the governing body of James Cook University; was chair of the Australian Education Senior Officials Committee (AESOC); and chair of the Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander Education Advisory Group to AESOC. Her expertise includes the practical and pragmatic implementation of evidence-based approaches at scale.

Meg Brighton commenced as Deputy Secretary, Schools with the Department of Education in March 2023. Prior to joining the Department, Meg’s previous roles include Head of the Parliamentary Workplace Support Service (PWSS), Deputy Director-General in ACT Health, Deputy Director-General and Acting Director-General of the ACT Education Directorate. Meg has more than 25 years’ experience across economic and social policy portfolios, regulation, corporate services and service delivery in the ACT, NSW and Canadian public sectors. She has also held a number of non-executive director roles in the non-government sector and has served on the Boards of ACARA and the ACT Teacher Quality Institute. Meg holds a Master of Commerce (major in Law) and a Bachelor of Arts (major in Public Relations).

Tony Brennan is an experienced education and governance professional with demonstrated capability and 20+ years’ experience in chairman and independent director roles across listed, unlisted, government and not for profit boards. In 2015, he co-founded Australia’s education technology and innovation industry peak body which connects educators, education providers, government representatives, consultants, investors, and EdTech entrepreneurs, serving also as Director and Chair. He is also a former Adjunct Professor of Law at Murdoch University and corporate lawyer with Clayton Utz.

Tony Crehan has been an Executive Director of Independent Schools Tasmania for over 20 years and is also a Director of Independent Schools Australia. Tony has extensive business experience as management consultant and Chief Executive Officer, Director, and Chairman of public and private companies.

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.

Jenny Johanson is a commercially astute Non-Executive Director with two decades of experience as a Committee member and Audit & Risk Chair, until recently combining these with executive roles. Jenny brings contemporary expertise in cyber security, business development, risk management and digital transformation. With a track record of delivering strategic outcomes while implementing robust governance and reporting models, Jenny works collaboratively with peers to improve organisational outcomes and impact. Jenny has delivered strategic solutions and managed risks in commercial, highly regulated environments for over 30 years in professional services, communications, and financial services.

Professor Vanderlelie is the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic at Deakin University, where she provides strategic leadership of the Education and Employability Plan and institutional programs that deliver an outstanding experience for students and foster a culture of academic educational excellence. Jessica is the co-chair of Universities Australia Women and is a passionate advocate for improving institutional and sector wide approaches to supporting diversity and inclusion. Jessica has demonstrated sustained leadership in learning and teaching in Australian Higher Education, she is an Australian Learning and Teaching Fellow and has been recognised nationally through receipt of an Australian Award for University Teaching and AFR Awards for her leadership.

Professor Linda Kristjanson is Non-Executive Director of Seek Ltd., President of the National Stroke Foundation, Education Australia Ltd., MinEx CRC Ltd., and trustee of the Bethlehem Griffith Research Foundation. Linda is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering. Linda served as Vice-Chancellor and President of Swinburne University of Technology from 2011–2020, and upon her retirement, was awarded an Emeritus Professorship. Linda was made an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2017, acknowledged for her distinguished service to tertiary education through leadership and governance roles, strategic and innovative university reforms, and contributions to cancer research, palliative care and to women.

Bret Morris is currently employed as 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.

Felicity Thomlinson is an experienced multi-disciplinary executive with a track record of starting and growing successful and award-winning businesses and channels in the digital space. Felicity is currently Head of Growth at Typsy and has been involved in strategy, product development, training, marketing, and sales of many online products and services for over 20 years. Felicity joined the founder shortly after launch of an ed-tech platform and has contributed to building a successful learning experience platform for the hospitality industry that has been named by Statista and TIME in the Top 50 EdTech companies and Ranked 11 in their Rising Stars ranking (in 2024) to spotlight organisations that had the highest revenue growth rates over the last three years.

Kylie Maher is an experienced governance, risk, and compliance professional with 25 years’ experience in providing governance and assurance services across the education, health and government sectors. Kylie is a qualified accountant (CPA) and has held senior financial management roles across many sectors including education. Kylie has also held executive roles at Peninsula Grammar, St Kevin’s and Xavier College, and was the Governance and Assurance Partner at Moore Australia as well as the Director, Internal Audit and Risk Assurance at KPMG. Kylie has extensive governance experience with the following current positions: Member of Council, RMIT; Auditing and Assurance Standards Board; City of Yarra (Chair); City of Port Phillip; City of Wyndham; and non-executive Director and Audit and Risk Committee Member, IPC Community Health.

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.

Matt Deeble has extensive experience in education and technology across private, public, and not for profit sectors with over 25 years as a leader, senior executive, consultant, lawyer, and director. Matt is responsible for enhancing ESA’s opportunities and reputation by facilitating cross-organisation engagement and fostering meaningful partnerships with the education, industry, philanthropic and academic communities.

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.

Lee OIiver has extensive experience in the management and delivery of high-profile education and health initiatives. He demonstrates strong strategic leadership to drive program improvements. Lee is a registered psychologist and has more than 20 years’ experience working in education settings and has a particular interest in creating inclusive and supportive learning and work environments.

Samantha Wijesinha has extensive product strategy, delivery leadership and stakeholder management experience and has worked across various organisations such as Bank first, VMCH, Save the Children and Infoxchange, and most recently at OET as the Digital Product Manager where she led the strategic implementation of the digital customer experience and led the idea to launch the OET career product.

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.

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.