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 has held a wide range of tertiary teaching and senior executive leadership roles in public and private Education and Training Institutes and dual sector Universities across Australia. Her recent roles include Executive General Manager Education and Training at Open Colleges, one of Australia’s oldest and largest providers of fully online VET qualifications, and Executive Director Quality and Performance at Holmesglen, one of Australia’s most innovative TAFE Institutes. Before this she was the Pro Vice-Chancellor Vocational Education and Training at Charles Darwin University in the Northern Territory, with responsibility for building a strong and skilled workforce to service major regional infrastructure projects and community and economic development needs across the Northern Territory and South East Asia. She is a member of the ASQA Stakeholder Liaison Group, Holmesglen Institute’s Council for Education and Applied Research and Education Quality Committees and a former Deputy Chair of TAFE Director’s Australia.
BRIAN HENDERSON Deputy Chairperson
Brian worked at the Australian Education Union (AEU) for 18 years in roles including the Victorian Branch Secretary, the Federal Executive member and the Vice President, Secondary-Victorian Branch.
In addition to Brian's knowledge of the Victorian education system, through his work in the Federal AEU, he gained extensive knowledge of education systems both interstate and overseas. Brian has been involved in public education for over 40 years as student, teacher, parent and union official.
SUSAN CHRISTOPHERS Director
Susan Christophers was most recently the Executive Director, International Education Division with the Early Childhood and School Education Group, a division of the Department of Education and Training. With over 20 years as a Senior Executive, Sue has led the development of state and national policy, managed complex projects, and built Victorian government schools as a destination of choice for international students. Sue's passion for education and training has fuelled her career and her impact on state education in Victoria is testament to this passion, her determination and her focus on excellence. Sue was the Chair of the Adult, Community and Further Education Board of Victoria from 2016 to 2018.
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 has held multiple board and advisory roles, with strengths in governance, strategic planning, and organisational transformation. Currently she is also a Board Member of the National Association of Women in Operations. 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 Finalist 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
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.
