OUR PEOPLE​

The Clontarf Foundation employs more than 600 men and women who are all dedicated to a shared mission of improving the life outcomes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.

The Right People for the Job

Our academies are staffed with full-time employees who possess a wealth of life experience and come from diverse backgrounds.
We’ve been able to grow and impact the lives of the boys in our programme because as an organisation, we’ve been able to attract exceptional people who possess the right skills, have positive attitudes and can relate to our boys.

Whether it’s picking up students from their homes before school, preparing breakfast after training, helping out with homework, organising health checks or just having a kick of the footy – our staff do everything they can to make school as attractive and accessible as possible to get the best outcomes for our boys.

Board

Tom O’Leary

Chair

John Gillam

Director

Jenni Collard

Director

Brian Tyson

Director

Karen Jones

Director

Mick McCormack

Director

Isaac Gibbs

Director

Mick Gooda

Director

Chris Stavrianou

Director

William Johnstone

Director

Jonathon Mcleod

Director

Senior Management

Gerard Neesham

Chief Executive Officer

Craig Brierty

Deputy Chief Executive Officer

James Mcnamee

Chief Operations Officer

Jane Conder

Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary

Joel-PArsons-A

JOEL PARSONS

General Manager - Development

Marcus Harrold

General Manager – Employment

Kerry Burke

General Manager – Human Resources

Chris McDonald

General Manager – Recruitment and Training

Nick Jenkins

General Manager – Partnerships & Communications

Andrew McDonagh

Zone Manager – Queensland

Ryan-Woolfe-1

Ryan Woolfe

Zone Manager - NSW

Brad Cox

Zone Manager – Western Australia

Shaun Cusack

ZONE MANAGER – NORTHERN TERRITORY

Mark Riley

Zone Manager – Victoria & South Australia

Troy-Gordon-2-copy

Troy Gordon

Operations Manager - NSW

Tony-Delaney-6-2-copy

Tony Delaney

Operations Manager WA

The men that manage the Clontarf academies that I have visited are the very best role models, always very caring and patient. They are always willing to talk about the success of the students and their achievements.

Aunty Jean Hands, Kamilaroi Elder, Singleton NSW

Want to work for Clontarf?

We employ people with a high level of passion, initiative and energy who come from diverse backgrounds such as teaching, trades, social/justice work and professional sport. Candidates with relevant experience working with young people will be highly regarded.

If you are considering a career with the Clontarf Foundation, click below to go to our Careers page and complete an Expression of Interest form.

Careers
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Tom O’Leary, LLB, B.Juris

Director

Mr O’Leary was appointed Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Iluka Resources Limited in September 2016. Iluka is a global critical minerals company with more than 70 years
industry experience. It is the world’s largest producer of zircon; a significant producer of high-grade titanium feedstocks; and set to become a material supplier of refined rare earth oxides. Mr O’Leary was previously Managing Director of Wesfarmers Chemicals, Energy and Fertilisers, a division of Wesfarmers Limited, having been appointed to that role in 2010. He joined Wesfarmers in 2000 and, prior to that, had worked in London in finance law, investment banking and private equity.

John Gillam, B.Com, FAICD, FAIM

Director

Mr Gillam is a professional Company Director, serving currently as Chairman of CSR Limited, Chairman of Nufarm Limited and Chairman of Bluefit Pty Ltd, as well as a Board Member of the Heartwell Foundation. He worked for 20 years within the Wesfarmers Group where he was the CEO of Bunnings from 2004 to 2016 and the Chairman of Officeworks from 2008 to 2016. Other roles during Mr Gillam’s Wesfarmers career included Managing Director of CSBP and Company Secretary. Prior to Wesfarmers, Mr Gillam was General Manager of Medical Corporation Australia Ltd and he started his career working in KPMG’s corporate recovery and corporate finance areas.

Jenni Collard

Director

Ms Collard is a highly experienced executive with strong leadership skills and deep commitment to Indigenous communities. She has over 25 years of senior executive experience in government policy, strategy, and operational management. As a descendant of the Yadhiagana/Wuthathi and Guringji peoples and married to a Noongar Man with four children and three grandchildren, Ms Collard have a deep connection to Indigenous communities and has dedicated her career to advocating for equal opportunities for all Aboriginal people, from access to services to employment and cultural understanding. As a senior executive in both state and federal governments, she have a proven track record of making a positive impact in the lives of Indigenous communities. As a General Manager for Rio Tinto, she continues to put her leadership skills and passion for equality into practice, supporting the company’s performance through Group Internal Audits while staying true to your commitment to Indigenous communities.

Brian Tyson

Director

Brian is the Chairman of SEC Newgate Australia, having previously served as its founding Managing Partner since its establishment in 2013. He is head of APAC region and Global Deputy Chief Executive Officer of SEC Newgate S.p.A, the parent company of SEC Newgate Australia. He is also a co-founder of SEC Newgate Research.
Brian is regarded as one of Australia’s leading communications practitioners with expertise in strategic crisis and issues management, financial transactions, government relations, media management and community campaigns.
Brian is also a Director of the Committee for Sydney, SEC Newgate S.p.A and the Sydney Swans AFL club. Prior to his career in consulting, Brian was a school teacher, journalist for The Land newspaper and a political and media adviser to the NSW Government.

Karen Jones

Director

Karen Jones is a proud Anaiwin woman who was born and raised in Sydney. She has built a life, surrounded by her family on the traditional lands of the Darkinjung people (Central Coast of NSW).

Karen worked for the NSW Department of Education since she commenced teaching in the area of special education in 1982 in south-western Sydney. She has a strong passion and commitment to the importance of public education as the single most powerful vehicle to deliver a socially just Australian society. Karen was awarded the inaugural Central Coast Pathways Award for Leadership in Aboriginal education” in 2004 whilst Principal at Wyoming Public School. Complementing this she was also named the NSW P&C Association’s Primary Principal of the Year, also in 2004. Karen has also been Principal at Terrigal Public School and Director, Educational Leadership for the Maitland, Cessnock and Kurri Kurri area as well as across the Central Coast.

In 2019 Karen was appointed as the Executive Director, Aboriginal Outcomes and Partnerships (previously Aboriginal Education and Communities) for the NSW Department of Education. She embraces working in partnership with the broader Department including our more 2200 public schools, the NSW Aboriginal Education Consultative Group Incorporated (NSWAECG), the NSW Secondary Principals Council, the NSW Primary Principals Association, the NSW Public Service Association and the NSW Teachers Federation., Karen greatly enjoyed working with a broad range of community groups to promote equitable life opportunities for Aboriginal people across NSW through our strong Public Education family.

In 2021 Karen was awarded a Public Service Medal and was named the Central Coast Ambassador for 2022.

At the start of 2024 Karen retired from full time work and is now a volunteer for many groups on the Central Coast including Kuriwa Local AECG and Brooke Avenue Public School’s P&C as well as a Board member for the Clontarf Foundation.

Mick McCormack

Director

Mr McCormack’s career has been in energy infrastructure, having led ASX listed APA Group between 2005-2019. During this time, enterprise value grew from $1b to over $24b, which included investments in gas pipelines and distribution, gas processing and storage, gas fired power generation, renewables (wind and solar) and electricity transmission across Australia. Mr McCormack is a Director of Origin Energy Limited, Whitehaven Coal Limited and Qube Holdings Limited. He is also Chair of the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra Foundation and a Director of the Origin Energy Foundation. He is also the Patron of the Australian Ice Hockey League. Mr McCormack has been a long-term supporter of the Clontarf Foundation.

Isaac Gibbs

Director

Mr Gibbs is a proud Yuwalaraay man from Goodooga in North Western NSW. Mr Gibbs is the General Counsel & Company Secretary of Volkswagen Group Australia Pty Ltd, and is responsible for the legal affairs of the VW, AUDI, SKODA and CUPRA brands in Australia. Prior to working in the motor industry, Mr Gibbs worked as a practising lawyer for top tier law firms in Sydney and Perth. In that time, Mr Gibbs has also devoted his time to helping pro bono clients on a range of legal issues. Mr Gibbs is passionate about helping to deliver better educational and life outcomes for Indigenous Australians.

Mick Gooda

Director

Mr Gooda is proudly descended from the Ghungalu people of the Dawson Valley in Central Queensland on his mother’s side and the Yiman people from the Taroom region on his father’s side. For over thirty years, he has been a dedicated advocate for the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians, championing social justice and inclusion.

Appointed as the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner in February 2010, Mr Gooda played a pivotal role in advancing policy and reform. During his tenure, he led the Close the Gap campaign, which focused on improving health, education and employment outcomes for Indigenous Australians.

In September 2016, Mr Gooda’s expertise and commitment saw him appointed Co-Commissioner for the Royal Commission into the Protection and Detention of Children in the Northern Territory. In this role, he helped expose systemic failings, brought national attention to the treatment of Indigenous youth, and contributed to recommendations for significant reforms in child protection and juvenile justice systems.

He has undertaken work a wide range of roles such as the CEO of the Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal Health, Native Title Consultant with the Western Australian Aboriginal Legal Service and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC).

He chaired the Queensland Stolen Wages Reparation Taskforce and the National Centre of Indigenous Genomics and has been a member of the Expert Panel and the Referendum Council which were convened to advised the Federal Government on the Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples in the Australian constitution.

Throughout his career, Mr Gooda has maintained a respectful and collaborative approach, ensuring that the voices and experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are central to policy development and social change. His ongoing work continues to inspire progress toward equity, recognition and reconciliation.

Chris Stavrianou

Director

Mr Stavrianou is Managing Partner of Poynton Stavrianou, an independent corporate advisory firm. He has over twenty years of experience in mergers and acquisitions with Macquarie Capital in London and UBS in Sydney and was previously a member of the Australian Treasury senior executive. Chris is an Adjunct Professor at the Business School of the University of Western Australia, is Chair of Council of Christ Church Grammar School and is a member of the Australian Takeovers Panel.

William Johnstone

Director

Mr Johnstone is dedicated to advocating for the interests of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, having formerly held senior management positions at the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission at federal, state and regional levels, Indigenous Land Corporation and the NSW Aboriginal Land Council. He was also the inaugural Chair of the Murdi Paaki Regional Council.

Jonathon Mcleod

Director

Mr McLeod is an Indigenous Territorian of both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent, his people are from the Katherine & Victoria River District and Wagedagam clan, Mabuiag Island. Mr McLeod has more than 34 years of experience across government and Commonwealth statutory authorities. He is currently Branch Head, Kakadu National Park at the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. Before this, Mr McLeod was Deputy Chief Executive Officer at the Northern Land Council where he was responsible for managing regional development for more than a decade.

Gerard Neesham OAM, Dip.Ed.

Director

Mr Neesham has been Chief Executive Officer of the Clontarf Foundation since 2000. He is a qualified teacher and has spent seven years teaching in Western Australia and the Northern Territory. Mr Neesham’s previous experience includes Executive Officer WA Water Polo Association, Coach Fremantle Football Club, Coach Claremont Football Club and Coach Water Polo WA Institute of Sport.

Craig Brierty

Director

Craig was appointed Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Clontarf Foundation in August 2021, after holding position of Chief Operations Officer since he joined the organisation in 2003. Previously, Craig spent 20 years in Education including eight years as a school principal and five years in educational leadership positions.

James McNamee

Chief Operations Officer

James was appointed as Chief Operations Officer in 2024. Prior to this, James was GM – Partnerships and Communications, GM – Development, he managed the Foundation’s recruitment, was a Development Officer in South Australia and Academy Director at Yirara College in the Northern Territory. James has a management background and extensive experience working with remote communities.

Jane Conder

Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary

Jane was appointed Chief Financial Officer in September 2017. Prior to this, Jane had fulfilled the role of Financial Controller for the Foundation since March 2017. Jane is a professionally qualified accountant and has a degree (BA Hons) in Accounting and Finance. She started her career in Finance more than 20 years ago and gained her formal training in the United Kingdom. She has worked in a variety of commercial environments holding senior management positions and brings a diverse range of business-centric skills.

Joel Parsons

General Manager – Development

Joel is a proud Yuin man from the NSW South Coast and commenced employment with the Clontarf Foundation in 2016, following a 10-year career with the NSW Police Force. Since Joining the Foundation Joel has held a multitude of roles which includes, Academy Director, Development Officer, Regional Manager and NSW Operations Manager. Joel was appointed to the General Manager – Development position in 2025.

Marcus Harrold

General Manager – Employment

Marcus was appointed General Manager – Employment in January 2016. Prior to this, Marcus spent six years as Regional Manager for Western Australia and was Academy Director of the Yule Brook Academy in Maddington, Western Australia. Marcus had previously worked in the Western Australian Education sector for more than 20 years as a primary school teacher, physical education teacher, visiting teacher and managed programmes related to Aboriginal education.

Kerry Burke

General Manager – Human Resources

Kerry was appointed as General Manager – Human Resources in November 2025 and is a professionally qualified HR generalist with a masters in industrial relations. Kerry brings significant HR and IR leadership expertise gained from her experience in the mining, construction and health industries.

Chris McDonald

General Manager – Recruitment & Training

Chris commenced with the Clontarf Foundation in 2012 and was appointed General Manager – Development in 2025. Prior to this appointment, Chris was the General Manager – Development, Regional Manager in Far North Queensland, Central New South Wales and a the inaugural Director of the Inverell Academy. Chris is a qualified teacher who has worked across Victoria and South Australia.

Nick Jenkins

General Manager – Partnerships & Communications

Nick was appointed as General Manager – Partnerships and Communications in December 2024. Prior to this, Nick’ s roles included National Partnerships Manager, National Recruitment Manager and Academy Director at Coodanup Academy. Nick has an education management background with a Bachelor of Education degree.

Andrew McDonagh

Zone Manager – Queensland

Andrew commenced with the Foundation in 2012 and was appointed to the Zone Manager’s position in July 2022. He started out with the Foundation as an Operations Officer in the East Kimberley Academy. Andrew took on the role of the East Kimberley Director before moving to Toowoomba to set up the first Queensland Operations in Darling Downs Region. Prior to his journey with Clontarf Andrew worked across the Catholic and Private School system in Victoria, where his career and leadership focus was the Pastoral Care and Wellbeing of students.

Ryan Woolfe

Zone Manager – New South Wales

Ryan was appointed as ZM – NSW in July 2022. Prior to this, Ryan was the Southern NSW Operations Manager, a Regional Manager in South Coast and Central West NSW, and an Academy Director at Dubbo and Katherine in the Northern Territory. Ryan has a Bachelor in Education and has extensive experience working in remote communities.

Brad Cox

Zone Manager – Western Australia

Brad was appointed Zone Manager – Western Australian in January 2024. He was previously Regional Manager for the South-Central Region and the North-West Region in Western Australia. Prior to that, Brad was an Academy Director in Karratha and Perth. Brad is a qualified teacher who taught in a number of schools across Western Australia, China and the United Kingdom.

Shaun Cusack

Zone Manager – Northern Territory

Shaun was appointed Zone Manager – Northern Territory in January 2026. He first joined the Clontarf Foundation in 2007 and has since held a range of senior leadership roles across New South Wales, the Northern Territory and Western Australia, including Regional Manager for New South Wales, Central Australia NT, the Top End NT and Central North WA, as well as Academy Director at Centralian Senior Academy in Alice Springs. Shaun brings more than 18 years of experience delivering Clontarf programs across diverse regions and communities.