CEO & Board
MARTIN POWELL Chief Executive Officer
The VDC Board has acknowledged the vision and considerable effort of Martin, who developed the business case and rationale for the establishment of the VDC permanent training facilities in Collins Street Melbourne. This initiative has enabled the VDC to expand its professional learning programs and consolidate its market presence to enable record participation. Martin has also refined the VDC team and streamlined business, marketing and corporate practices to enhance and stimulate engagement with the VDC by the professional workforce, government and other stakeholders. Prior to joining the VDC, Martin has held prominent positions in the VET sector. Martin was the National Manager, Services / Victorian Executive Officer for the Australian Council for Private Education and Training (ACPET). With TVET Australia and the National Advisory for Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment (NATESE), Martin was Director of the National VET Equity Advisory Council (NVEAC), the COAG advisory committee responsible for independent social policy advice for those groups at risk of disadvantage. His experience extends to broader policy, project and program roles in public sector social policy in the areas of VET, health, corrections, youth services, mental health services, treasury and finance and industry
CHRISTINE ROBERTSON Chairperson
Christine is a highly experienced tertiary education executive with a distinguished career spanning vocational education, higher education, governance, quality assurance and system reform.
Christine has held a broad range of senior leadership roles across public and private education and training institutions, TAFEs and dual-sector universities throughout Australia.
Her executive appointments have included Interim Chief Executive Officer of the Canberra Institute of Technology, Executive General Manager Education and Training at Open Colleges, Executive Director Quality and Performance at Holmesglen, and Pro Vice-Chancellor Vocational Education and Training at Charles Darwin University.
She is recognised for her strategic leadership, governance expertise and strong understanding of the vocational and tertiary education policy environment.
She has also contributed nationally through sector leadership and advisory roles, including as a member of the ASQA Stakeholder Liaison Group and as former Deputy Chair of TAFE Directors Australia.
MELISSA DONALD Director
Melissa has extensive experience as a People & Culture Executive gained within diverse workforces across private and ASX-listed
companies, global multinationals, and government, start-up and for purpose organisations. She is currently the Executive Manager People – Safety and Culture with Bush Heritage Australia has held multiple Board and
advisory roles, with strengths in governance, strategic planning, and organisational transformation.
She is a values-driven leader, who is passionate about the future of work and shaping progressive cultures that deliver value and impact.
Recognised for her commitment to diversity and inclusion, Melissa was a Judge of the Women in Industry Awards, Winner of the Australian Human Resources Institute’s Indigenous Engagement Award and a Finalist in the Gender Equality Award.
EMERITUS PROFESSOR
KAREN STARR
Director
Karen is a Partner at SHK Asia Pacific specialising in executive appointments in education and organisations with a public / people focus. She has had an extensive career in education and the not-for-profit sector, including leadership roles as University Professor and Chair, school principal (K-12), chief state-wide curriculum writer, author, and researcher. Karen developed the Graduate Certificate, Education Business Leadership for Deakin University - the first course of its type in Australia. Karen has received numerous commendations throughout her career, including a National Telstra Business Woman of the Year Award for the not-for-profit sector, Educator of the Year Award (Australian Council for Education Leaders Victoria) and the Vice Chancellor’s Award for Teaching Excellence.
DAVID WINDRIDGE Director
Fellow CEO Institute
David Windridge was most recently the CEO/Executive Director of MEGT (Australia) Ltd, Ability English and MEGT UK. David has been a significant figure in the private training sector which has been acknowledged by receiving life memberships with the Australian Council for Private Education and Training (ACPET) – now known as Independent Tertiary Education Council Australia (ITECA), and Group Training Australia (GTA). As CEO of MEGT David oversaw the growth of MEGT from one office in Melbourne’s outer-east to a national entity employing over 800 people with 95 offices and reaching out to students from all over the world.
GARY WORKMAN Director
Gary Workman is currently the Executive Director of the Apprenticeship Employment Network (AEN) & Global Apprenticeship Network (GAN) – Australia. He leads the AEN and its members on public policy, government projects and research activities including overseeing relationships with a wide range of industry and government stakeholders. Gary brings overs 20 years’ experience in the VET sector and has worked on numerous government initiatives in the areas of workforce development, apprenticeships, OH&S, the economic response to COVID-19 and the environment.
SANDA FITZGERALD Independent Member of the Audit, Risk & Finance Committee
Sanda has 30+ years professional experience working as a senior executive across a variety of industries including professional services, education, information technology, human resources, recruiting and government business enterprises in senior financial management, operational re-engineering and client care roles. With over 20 years’ experience in the not for profit and education sectors, most recently as the National Education Principal for Deloitte, Sanda has worked with over 500 education audit and consulting clients across the independent, Catholic and government school sectors advising on governance, Board and management reporting, financial frameworks, risk management, finance, human resources, policy, and process improvement.
