Board

The Board is responsible for the management and strategic development of Chisholm Institute with a number of objectives:

• Establish goals and long term strategic directions for the Institute
• Provide quality vocational education and training and adult, community and further education programs and services
• Identify needs for high quality vocational education and training in industry
• Involve staff in the continuous development of their skills
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with local and regional communities
• Manage and control the Institute efficiently and effectively and to optimise the efficient use of resources.

Each Board member brings with them significant expertise in terms of their own professional knowledge and experience, but all share a passion for the future of Chisholm.

Dr Gillian Miles (Ministerial Appointee, Board Chair)

Gillian has extensive experience in the public sector having advised Australian governments and led organisations in national, state and local governments. Gillian’s prior roles include CEO of the National Transport Commission, CEO of the City of Greater Geelong, and Head of Transport Victoria, and she has also occupied deputy secretary roles in transport and community development. Gillian has a Bachelor of Education, a Master of Letters in Cultural Theory and a Doctor of Business Administration. Gillian comes to Chisholm Institute from Gordon TAFE where she served as a Board member since 2020.

Stephen Varty MAICD (Chief Executive Officer and Director)

Stephen was appointed to the position of Director and Chief Executive Officer from the 18 November 2019 having held the position of interim Chief Executive Officer April.

Previous to this, he held the position of Chief of Education, having joined Chisholm in 2015 from Victoria University where he was the Director of Innovation and Engagement. Stephen has held a number of senior managerial leadership positions across the VET and HE sectors both in the UK and Australia.

Stephen has wide ranging experience in the Education and Training sectors and a passion for education and implementation of innovative practice, creative training solutions, coaching and leadership execution to transform and increase the competence and productivity of individuals and business.

Stephen holds a Bachelor of Education - VET (Charles Sturt University), a Graduate Certificate in Educational Leadership (Victoria University) and a Masters of Education (Victoria University).

Dr. Anne Jones (Ministerial Appointee)

Anne is a researcher and consultant in VET policy. She is a member of Tradeswomen Australia’s Strategy Council and an Emeritus Professor at Victoria University.

Her work has included 16 years in senior executive roles such as Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic and Students), Deputy Vice Chancellor and Director TAFE at Victoria University and Executive Director Learning and Academic Affairs at Box Hill Institute.

Anne has led a wide range of VET and higher educational programs.

George Lekakis AO (Ministerial Appointee)

George has worked in the not-for-profit community services sector and government and is the President of VicScreen having been appointed in November 2022. George was Chair of the Victorian Multicultural Commission (2001 to 2011), Chair of the Board of the Victorian Interpreting and Translation service, and Multicultural Arts Victoria, Executive Director, International Student Experience, at the Victorian Department of Business and Innovation and Director, South Central Region Migrant Resource Centre. George was CEO of the New Hope Foundation and Fronditha Care and has also been a member of many other government and non-government boards and committees in executive roles.

Nyadol Nyuon (Ministerial Appointee)

Nyadol Nyuon OAM is a lawyer and media commentator and the Executive Director of the Sir Zelman Cowen Centre (at Victoria University). Nyadol is also the Chair of the Harmony Alliance, a national advocacy body for migrant and refugee women. She sits on a number of boards including Career Seekers (a non-profit organisation), as well as the MCG Trust board.

Nyadol was born in a refugee camp in Itang, Ethiopia, and raised in Kakuma Refugee Camp,  Kenya. She moved to Australia as a refugee in 2005 at the age of eighteen, where she pursued and completed a Bachelor of Arts and Juris Doctor.

She is a regular contributor to ABC, Guardian Australia, and other mainstream publications.

Des Powell AM (Ministerial Appointee)

Des was appointed a Director of the Chisholm Institute Board in November 2024.

Des is a current Director of Ports Victoria, Barwon Water Corporation and CBLA Ltd, a recent former Member of the Advisory Board for Victorian Skills Authority and Ministerial Board Observer for TAFEs.

He has extensive experience in executive management and board roles in the public and private sectors in the Ports , Freight and Logistics sectors, both locally and internationally. In addition he brings Director and Chair experience in the education and community services not for profit sectors.

Carmel Cammarano (Staff Elected Director)

Carmel has skills in education, training and leadership with extensive experience in the TAFE sector.

Commencing at Chisholm Institute in 2008 as a vocational educator, Carmel had prior roles as a chef and kitchen manager, working in Australia and overseas. In recent years Carmel was a hospitality education manager at Chisholm and is currently a business partner in the Chisholm Solutions team.

Carmel joined the Board of Trustees of the Caroline Chisholm Education Foundation in November 2023 and is the Foundation’s Fundraising Committee Chair.

Carmel has a Graduate Diploma in Education Technology, a Diploma of Vocational Education and Training, a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, a Diploma of Vocational Education and Training Practice, and a Certificate III in Commercial Cookery.

Lisa Norman (Board Co-opted)

Lisa is CEO of St John of God Berwick Hospital. Lisa has worked in the health industry for 30 years and in Executive leadership roles for 17 years. Initially gaining qualifications as a Registered Nurse, she went on to gain qualifications in critical care nursing specialising in emergency and trauma nursing.

She also has a Graduate Certificate in Catholic Leadership and Culture. Lisa has recently been appointed by the Department of Health and Human Services to the Victorian Clinical Council. Lisa is the chair of the Infrastructure, Systems and Planning Committee.

David Mann AM, FAICD (Board Co-opted)

David is Chairman of Entertainment Assist, the Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation, the Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Day Community Council, and the Mount Macedon Memorial Cross Community Committee of Management.

David is also a board member of The Production Company, Connected Communities Melbourne, and Managing Director, Mann Promotions Pty Ltd a company for promotions, marketing, public relations and crisis management.

Geoff Harry (Board Co-opted)

Geoff retired from full-time executive roles in 2014 and has extensive skills and experience in financial reporting, assurance, governance, risk management and control frameworks and compliance management at both state and local government levels, as well as in the corporate sector.

Geoff holds both Board and Audit and Risk Committee appointments, many of which he chairs. Geoff has a Bachelor of Commerce and is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia and New Zealand, a Fellow of CPA Australia, and a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Geoff has been an independent member of Chisholm’s Audit and Risk Management Committee since 2018.