Academies
In 2019, there are 158 Clontarf academies within 168 schools across Western Australia, Northern Territory, Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia.
Chris McDonald
General Manager – Development
Chris commenced with the Clontarf Foundation in 2012 and was appointed General Manager – Development in 2022. Prior to this appointment, Chris was the 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.
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.
Karen Jones
Director
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.
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.
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.
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.
William Johnstone
Director
Mr Johnstone is Strategic Advisor to Murdi Paaki Regional Assembly and Murdi Paaki Services, and Managing Director of Kimaka Holdings Australia Pty Ltd. He 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. Mr Johnstone is passionate about sport and is an Independent Director of New South Wales Rugby League and Director of New South Wales Leagues Club.
Chris Stavrianou
Director
Chris is Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Poynton Stavrianou, an independent corporate advisory firm based in Western Australia. Chris has over twenty years of experience in mergers and acquisitions with Macquarie Capital in London and UBS in Sydney. As a member of the Australian Treasury senior executive, Chris established and led Treasury’s Western Australian office,
which advises the Australian Government on Western Australian trade and investment and the domestic economy. Chris is an Adjunct Professor at the Business School of the University of Western Australia and is a member of council of Christ Church Grammar School. Chris received his BSc from the University of Western Australia, his MBA with Distinction from INSEAD, and his MPA from Harvard University where he was a fellow at the Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business and Government.
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.
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 fi red power generation,
renewables (wind and solar) and electricity transmission across Australia. Mr McCormack is a Director of Austal Limited, Origin Energy and the Chair of Central Petroleum Limited. He is also Chair of the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra Foundation and has been a long term supporter of the Clontarf Foundation.
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.
Brian Tyson
Director
Mr Tyson is the Managing Partner of SEC Newgate Australia and the Deputy CEO of SEC Newgate Global. Mr Tyson is one of Australia’s leading communications practitioners with expertise in strategic issues management, government relations, media management, financial transactions and community campaigning. Mr Tyson is also Director of the Sydney Swans AFL club, SEC Newgate Global (UK) and the Committee for Sydney. Prior to his career in consultancy, Brian was a school teacher, journalist for The Land newspaper and a media adviser to the Greiner and Fahey Governments in New South Wales.
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.
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.
Gerard Neesham OAM, Dip.Ed
Chief Executive Officer
Mr Neesham has been Chief Executive Officer of the Clontarf Foundation since 2000. He is a qualified teacher and 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.
Isaac Gibbs
Director
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.
Nick Jenkins
Recruitment Manager
Nick
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.
Liam Toner
Zone Manager – Northern Territory
Liam commenced with the Clontarf Foundation in 2010 and was appointed Zone Manager – Northern Territory in January 2020. Prior to this appointment, Liam was General Manager – Development, Regional Manager for New South Wales and Academy Director of the Tennant Creek Academy in the Northern Territory. Liam is a qualified teacher and has worked in schools across Victoria and the Northern Territory.
James McNamee
General Manager – Partnerships and Communications
James was appointed as GM – Partnerships and Communications in July 2022. Prior to this, James was 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.
Daniel McNamee
Chief Operations Officer
Daniel was appointed Chief Operations Officer in March 2022. He joined the Foundation in 2010 and worked in remote communities in the Northern Territory and New South Wales as a Director and was Regional Manager in both the Central and Northern Regions, before taking on the role of Zone Manager – Queensland. Daniel has a Degree in Sports Management.
Craig Brierty
Deputy Chief Executive Officer
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.
Brendan Maher
Chief Operations Officer – East
Brendan was appointed Chief Operations Officer – East in 2021, after holding the position of Zone Manager – New South Wales since July 2016. He joined the Clontarf Foundation in 2012 from Macquarie Group where he ran Macquarie Sports for four years. He has a Degree in Sports Management and post graduate qualifications in Public Relations and Commerce.
Lee Stewart
General Manager – Human Resources
Lee was appointed as GM – Human Resources in September 2020. Prior to this, Lee was the Foundation’s HR Manager, an Employment Officer in Cairns, Queensland and an Academy Director at Gunbalanya in the Northern Territory. Lee has a degree in Human Resources and has extensive experience working in remote communities.
Harry Neesham, B.Com, F.C.P.A.
Director
Mr Neesham is a Certified Practicing Accountant. Mr Neesham also has extensive expertise in the area of workers compensation having been Executive Director of Workcover Western Australia, Deputy Chairman and Member of the Workers Compensation and Rehabilitation Commission, Member of the Premium Rates Committee, Chair of the Public Service Task Force on Workers Compensation and Chair of the Australian Heads of Workers Compensation Authorities Committee.
Ross Kelly AM, B.E (Hons), CitWA.
Chairman
Mr Kelly was previously Director of Operations – Asia Pacific for PA Management Consultants. As a professional Company Director, he was also Chairman of Clough Ltd, Sumich Group Ltd, Orbital Corporation Ltd, Beltreco Ltd, Otraco International, Fraser Range Granite NL and Wood & Grieve Ltd and a Director of Aurora Gold Ltd, PA Consulting Services Ltd and the Fremantle Football Club Ltd.
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.
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.
Shane Kiely
General Manager – Partnerships and Communications
Shane was appointed General Manager – Partnerships and Communications in August 2012. Prior to this, Shane spent three years in the Foundation’s Employment Team. Shane is a qualified teacher who has taught in various schools in Western Australia and the United Kingdom before working in the finance industry for four years, primarily with the Commonwealth Bank.
Mark Riley
Zone Manager – Victoria & South Australia
Mark Riley was appointed Zone Manager – Victoria and South Australia in November 2018. He was a volunteer and part-time employee of the Clontarf Foundation from 2000 to 2002 and returned to the Foundation in a full-time capacity as Partnerships Manager – Victoria in 2015. Mark previously worked in education, financial services and spent two decades as a coach in the AFL.