Board of Directors C&K’s Board of Directors is dedicated to upholding the highest standards of corporate governance and operational processes. C&K's Board C&K is committed to the highest standards of integrity and transparency in its decisions and business operations through its corporate governance approach. C&K's Board oversees the responsibility of delivering on C&K's Strategic Plan and ensuring the organisation's behaviour is consistent with its vision, purpose and values.The C&K Board has three committees to assist it in overseeing the work of C&K.Audit, Risk and Finance CommitteeEarly Years and Innovation CommitteePeople and Culture CommitteeEach committee is comprised of board members. The Early Years and Innovation Committee also includes up to two external early childhood education and care experts. Therese Mulherin CHAIR (Non-Executive) Board member since 30 May 2013Committee ResponsibilitiesAudit, Risk and FinanceQualificationsBOccThy, GAICD Experience Therese Mulherin has had an extensive career as a non-executive director, executive leader, and strategic advisor to executive teams and Boards. She has a clinical allied health background in Occupational Therapy and is experienced in the effective delivery of human services including early childhood education and care, health and injury rehabilitation, aged care, disability, and employment services. Therese’s experience spans large national service organisations, outsourced government contracts, strategy development, stakeholder management and change management. Dr Megan Gibson DEPUTY CHAIR (Non-Executive) Board member since 19 May 2016Committee ResponsibilitiesEarly Years and Innovation (Chair)QualificationsPhD, MEd, BEd (EC), DipT (EC) ExperienceAn Associate Professor in the School of Early Childhood at Queensland University of Technology, Dr Megan Gibson is also a respected researcher in her field. Her background as an early childhood educator with experience in teaching and leadership positions, culminated in her role as Director of an industry-leading childcare centre in Brisbane. Her award-winning doctoral research examined the professional identities of early childhood educators. This work combined with her extensive professional experience have laid the foundations for her ongoing interest in the early childhood workforce, leadership, professionalism and sustainability. In her current role at QUT, Megan is responsible for teacher education units on leadership, professionalism and health and wellbeing. Charles Strickland DIRECTOR (Non-Executive) Board member since 21 June 2019Committee ResponsibilitiesAudit, Risk and Finance (Chair)QualificationsB. IntBus, B. Com, GAICD, FCA, CPA ExperienceCharles Strickland is a senior director at the Queensland Audit Office where he has responsibility for audit methodology, audit and accounting advice, the quality assurance program, and preparing the office to deliver assurance for climate-related financial disclosures. With broad experience across general government administration, and the health and local government sectors, he brings a commitment to improving the lives of Queenslanders through his financial and performance audit work. He has a strong background in audit, risk, and governance. Charles is a firm believer in quality education and giving young people every opportunity to succeed, in the past serving on his local school P&C as treasurer, and coaching junior hockey teams. Scott Carpenter DIRECTOR (Non-Executive) Board member since 26 June 2019Committee Responsibilities QualificationsM.Business Process Management, Prince 2 Practitioner, GAICD, Cert. IV TAEExperienceScott Carpenter works to bridge the gap between technology and business and improve organisational performance by aligning IT solutions to business needs. He applies appropriate best practice methodologies, frameworks and models coupled with technology solutions to achieve long term business objectives. Scott strongly believes in the ability of education to positively change someone’s life and to support young people to achieve. Geoff Hirst DIRECTOR (Non-Executive) Board member since 14 July 2020Committee ResponsibilitiesAudit, Risk and FinanceQualificationsB. Com (Accounting and Economics), GAICD, CIA, CCSA, PMIIAExperienceGeoff Hirst is a Director of Aurecon, specialising in infrastructure, sustainable design, and ESG. An authentic executive leader with 25 years of professional finance, audit, and risk advisory experience. Geoff also has extensive global experience, particularly in the Education sector and professional services industry, with two Big-4 consulting firms, and as the Managing Director and Market Leader for Protiviti. With expertise in business risk advisory, implementing complex governance programs and change, differentiated value, and business resilience, Geoff has provided assurance and risk advisory outcomes on a variety of risk-based transactions, including, business performance, joint ventures, major projects, divestments, and acquisitions. He has also had executive leadership roles within industries including Queensland Health, major infrastructure development, and transport. Dr Christina Turner DIRECTOR (Non-Executive) Board member since 23 June 2021Committee ResponsibilitiesPeople and Culture (Chair)QualificationsPhD (HRM), MAppLaw, MBusCoach, GCMgt, GAICD, FGIA, FIML, FAHRI, FAIMExperienceDr Christina Turner is a HRM and governance specialist. Her career has included heading up HR functions in national and multi-national, public and private sector organisations including ABC Learning Centres, the University of the Sunshine Coast, and QSuper Ltd. A past president of the Australian Human Resources Institute, Christina has also held a number of non-executive director roles on public, private and not-for-profit boards, as well as government and Governor-in-Council appointments to panels, commissions of inquiry, and tribunals. Christina is also currently the Board Chair of Duchesne College. Pauline Elliott DIRECTOR (Non-Executive) Board member since 23 June 2021Committee ResponsibilitiesPeople and CultureQualificationsBA, MProfEc ExperiencePauline Elliott enjoyed a successful career in the Queensland public sector holding senior executive roles in Queensland Treasury, Department of Energy and Water Supply and Queensland Treasury Corporation. Pauline has extensive experience in financial and commercial matters, a deep understanding of government processes and public policy development, and has worked across multiple industry sectors including energy, transport, and telecommunications. Pauline is now a consultant providing services to organisations seeking support in business strategy, commercial transactions, and complex stakeholder engagement. Elizabeth Jameson AM DIRECTOR (Non-Executive) Board member since 1 January 2025Committee Responsibilities QualificationsBA (Japanese), LLB (Hons), LSDA, FAICD ExperienceElizabeth Jameson AM is a corporate/commercial lawyer and governance professional, having founded respected national governance consultancy, Board Matters in 2002 after a successful legal career. She has been intrigued by, and specialised in, the work of boards and the field of governance ever since. Elizabeth has been a life member of, and periodic governance adviser to, C&K since becoming involved with constitutional reform in the late 2000s. In addition to being a governance consultant and educator (spending 17 years as a facilitator for the Australian Institute of Company Directors in its national and international programs), Elizabeth has maintained an active portfolio of directorships over the past 30 years. This included 14 years as a Director, and ultimately President and Chair, of RACQ until 2022. Elizabeth currently chairs the board of Endeavour Foundation and is a member of the board of the Institute for Urban Indigenous Health as well as a private company in the tourism accommodation industry. She is also an independent member of the Nominations and Governance Committee of Chief Executive Women. Dr Louise Thomas DIRECTOR (Non-Executive) Board member since 1 January 2025Committee Responsibilities QualificationsMEd (Early Childhood Education), PhD (Education) ExperienceDr Louise Thomas has over 40 years of experience in the education sector. Her career has included teaching, leadership and consultative work across community based early childhood education, independent and government education sectors, and multiple universities. This career has included a range of leadership roles, including professional development and training manager at C&K. During her time at Australian Catholic University Louise held several leadership positions within the Faculty of Education and Arts. These roles included: Deputy Head of Education, Learning and Teaching (Qld); Acting Head of Education (Qld); National Director, Early Childhood Education; National Director, Accreditation. Dr Thomas’ PhD (2009) research focused on early childhood educators' constructions of professional identity and ethics. Her thesis was awarded the Queensland University of Technology’s Executive Dean award for outstanding research degree thesis. Her post-doctoral research and writing has built a platform of expertise in the areas of early childhood teacher identity, ethics, leadership, professional growth, and writing as a professional and research practice. Louise has extensive international and national publications, and research collaborations. Associate Professor Marnee Shay DIRECTOR (Non-Executive) Board member since 1 January 2025Committee Responsibilities QualificationsPhD, MEd(res), GradDipEd, BIndigenous Studies ExperienceMarnee Shay is an Associate Professor and Deputy Head of School in the School of Education at the University of Queensland. She is nationally recognised for her research and expertise in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education, educational policy and youth studies. Her maternal family are from the Ngen’giwumirri language group, Daly River region (Northern Territory). She grew up in South East Queensland. Marnee's research has substantially impacted policy and practice in her field. Her work has focused on developing Indigenous-based evidence and applying strengths-based approaches in knowledge production. She has served on multiple Government and School boards, including the Indigenous Forum on the Australian Research Council. Marnee is a qualified and experienced Queensland registered teacher.
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