VTA - Key Persons

Job Titles:

• Member of the Board
• Member of the VTA Board
• Board Chair, Wodonga TAFE ) - Chair
• Director at ATS Partners

Allison is a current sitting member of the Board, after spending 3 years as Chair. Allison joined the Wodonga TAFE Board in 2015 and has been serving in the position of Board Chair since 2016. Allison has been a Director at ATS Partners since 2001, having worked in the Practice as an accountant since 1996, offering taxation and financial advisory services in the Wodonga region. Allison has significant governance experience on local Boards and Committees including as a Director on the Albury Wodonga Health Board and served as Chair of its Audit and Risk Committee for four years. Allison was also previously President of the Wodonga Chamber of Commerce, and a member of the Baranduda Fields Governance Groups and the Rural Housing Network Board.

Job Titles:

• Finance
• Operations Manager
• in 2005 As Finance Officer

Andrea Newton joined VTA in 2005 as Finance Officer. Andrea has over 30 years' experience in finance and administration across various business sectors. Having spent 12 years in the aviation industry and the last 18 years running her own bookkeeping/ business advisory company which included a period of 5 years as Financial Controller and Board/Committee member within the non-for-profit sector.

Job Titles:

• Director of Engagement and Member Services

Dan has worked in the education sector for over 30 years with the majority spent in the vocational education and training sector after commencing his teaching career in the secondary education system. He has extensive experience in education delivery and in senior leadership roles in vocational and higher education operations in TAFE (both standalone and Dual Sector University). Most recently he was Director of Foundation Skills and Pathways at Bendigo Kangan Institute and prior to this at RMIT as Deputy Dean of Vocational Health, Sciences and Trades, and at William Angliss Institute as Associate Director of VET. He started as a VE trainer there and moved into senior management positions in program delivery and international education. Dan has a passion for leadership and a collaborative approach to problem solving. He joins the VTA with significant knowledge of the operational challenges faced in the TAFE sector and will strive to advocate on behalf of TAFE and Dual Sector Universities. Dan's qualifications include a Graduate Diploma in Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science Education.

Job Titles:

• Executive Director

Dugald Murray is Executive Director of the Victorian TAFE Association. A passionate supporter of local industry and job creation, Dugald has worked in public policy for 20+ years across industry, political, NFP and public service roles in Australia and Canada.

Job Titles:

• Member of the VTA Board
• CEO, Melbourne Polytechnic )
• Chief Executive Officer, Melbourne Polytechnic

Frances Coppolillo has an extensive history with Melbourne Polytechnic, most recently as Deputy CEO where she has led the College, Schools and a range of student focussed departments since September 2014. Prior to this, Ms Coppolillo was the Deputy Director Programs - Teaching and Learning, and has extensive experience in education, joining the VET sector as a teacher in 1986. Through her career progression, she has held a range of teaching, management and leadership positions including fourteen years as the Associate Director of Melbourne Polytechnic's Faculty of Further Education. Ms Coppolillo was also a founding director on the Board of the TAFE Development Centre (now the VET Development Centre), and has led projects in learning resource development, and best practice projects in student engagement and retention. Frances has been a member of a number of regional development committees including Northern RDA and Local Learning and Employment Networks. Her qualifications include Bachelor of Education and Masters in Social Sciences (Policy and Management). Ms Coppolillo is the first female CEO of Melbourne Polytechnic, formerly NMIT.

Job Titles:

• Executive
• Member of the VTA Board
• CEO, TAFE Gippsland )
• Chief Executive Officer, TAFE Gippsland

Laura Macpherson is an ambitious and dynamic executive leader. With a domestic and international career spanning Government, top ASX-100 companies, the VET sector, and strategic advisory, Laura has a unique perspective derived from strategic consultancy and strong leadership that ensures solutions are practicable and implemented with skilful guidance. Now leading TAFE Gippsland, Laura is passionate about continuing and building on the organisation's proud 95-year history of education and training excellence in the region. An advocate for end-to-end education and training solutions, Laura is leading her team at the forefront of industry changes and challenges and adapting training to suit industry needs, leading to productive employment outcomes and driving investment throughout Gippsland. Laura is a change champion who has delivered innovative, impactful and sustainable economic and social outcomes for community and industry stakeholders.

Job Titles:

• Member of the VTA Board
• Provost, Federation University Australia )

Liam Sloan was appointed to Provost of Federation University Australia in November 2023. Liam's portfolio includes VET, higher education and research. Prior to this appointment, he was Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive, Federation TAFE. Liam has a strong reputation as an experienced strategic leader with a track record of delivering results and building strong teams. He is a skilled communicator capable of engaging stakeholders in meaningful dialogue and building trust and respect amongst colleagues. Growing up in southwest Scotland and commencing his working life as a chef, Liam had also achieved international success in badminton before moving into senior leadership and management roles across a number of UK colleges and then moving into senior director and CEO roles in New Zealand NMIT. Liam's management focus has consistently been on people leadership and empowerment of his leadership teams. He has a sound record of improving team performance and transforming lives; an approach he brings to his role at Federation University to ensure that Federation continues to excel for graduate employability outcomes and student support.

Job Titles:

• Member of the VTA Board
• Board Chair, Holmesglen )

Michael is an experienced commercial lawyer and is currently Principal and Partner at Russell Kennedy Lawyers. He holds a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Commerce and has over 35 years' experience in legal practice, mainly focussed on the health sector. He publishes widely in health and legal association journals and is often asked to address public and private companies, government and non-government organisations. Michael has extensive governance experience and currently chairs the boards of Alfred Health and Wellways Australia. He also chairs the Mental Health and Wellbeing Act Expert Advisory Group for the Victorian Department of Health. Previously, he has been a Board member of a range of health and human rights agencies, professional associations and community organisations and has served as chair of major committees and expert panels. Michael is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and the Taxation Institute of Australia and is an Honorary Fellow of Royal Australasian College of Surgeons and the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists. He was made a Member in the Order of Australia in 2004. Michael joined Holmesglen's Board in August 2017 and commenced as Chair in March 2023. He is a member of all the Board's committees.

Job Titles:

• Senior Adviser

Pam has over thirty years of experience in the education, training, employment, industry, and community sectors in a variety of leadership, management, research, evaluation and policy adviser positions. Pam has a comprehensive understanding of the Australian state and national education and training systems as they relate broadly to employment and training, and specifically to trade training. Through her global networks, Pam also has a broad knowledge and understanding of international education, training and employment systems. She has worked across the vocational education and training sector as a Principal Education and Training Policy Adviser, Manager of Policy and Research; and researcher, evaluator and writer for a range of employer organisations including VECCI/ACCI, the Group Training Association of Victoria, TVET, and the Victorian TAFE Association. Pam holds a Master's Degree of Public Policy and Management, and is a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Job Titles:

• Member of the VTA Board
• Board Member since 2021 ( Ministerial Nominee )
• Board Member, Box Hill Institute
• Non Executive Board Member, Box Hill Institute )

Tony is a governance professional, experienced chair, board director, committee member and executive, facilitator for the Australian Institute of Company Directors and Principal of Thoughtpost Governance. For over 30 years, he has been a board director of not for profit and public entities operating across diverse sectors including health, secondary and tertiary education, vocational training, arts, children's services and alpine resort management. In addition to being a board director of BHI, he currently chairs a large national provider community based mental services (Neami) and Moreland Affordable Housing; board director of VRQA and a member of the Commission for Children and Young People's ARC.