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.

Jenny Atta is the Secretary of the Victorian Department of Education and Training. Prior to this appointment, Jenny held a variety of senior leadership roles across the public sector, including with the Department of Treasury and Finance. Jenny was awarded a Public Service Medal in June 2021 for outstanding public service to strategic social policy reform and delivery in Victoria.

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.

Tony Crehan is Executive Director Independent Schools Tasmania for 19 years. 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.

Liz Johnson is 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.

Professor Linda Kristjanson is an experienced professional with a career spanning 40 years in governance, research strategy, and collaborative science. Professor Kristjanson is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering. Professor Kristjanson has served on various Boards and is currently the Chairperson of the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre and has previously served as a Director of Universities Australia. Professor Kristjanson served as Vice-Chancellor and President of Swinburne University of Technology from 2011, retiring in August 2020.

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.

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.

Sam Spadavecchia has extensive experience in general management, finance, management consulting, risk, auditing and information technology. Sam is the Chair of ESA’s Finance, Risk and Audit Committee for six years.

Jenny Johanson is an independent non-executive director. Jenny has extensive experience as chair of board committees, in business, audit, finance, risk and cyber. Jenny is a member of ESA’s Finance Risk & Audit Committee.

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.

Corinna has an extensive history building capability within teams and strong collaborative team culture. Her career in digital marketing and transformation spans over 15 years across numerous industries including retail, utilities, financial services, media & entertainment and education. She is a strong believer in the power of creativity and tech to enhance experiences for audiences.

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.

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.