Executive Management Group Our experienced and dedicated leadership team is committed to delivering our vision where every child flourishes. C&K's Chief Executive Officer Dr Sandra Cheeseman Dr Sandra Cheeseman is a former early childhood teacher, academic and senior executive. Sandra was appointed to the role of CEO in 2021 following the retirement of Jane Bourne. Prior to this, Sandra held the position of Chief Operating Officer with C&K for 2 ½ years, bringing extensive experience in the early childhood sector across corporate governance, leadership, service delivery and research.Sandra has published in the areas of organisational leadership, early years curriculum and infant/toddler rights. She was a member of the core writing team who developed Australia's first Early Years Learning Framework and has worked on key government projects to translate policy to practice.Sandra has served on several governance boards, including as non-executive director for the Australian Children’s Educational and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA). She is a member of the Scientific Advisory Board for the Raising Children Network and the Expert Advisory Group for the development of a preschool outcomes measure.Sandra leads an Executive Management Group consisting of a Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief People Officer, and General Counsel and Company Secretary.QualificationsPhD, PG Cert, Research Methods, BEd, Early Childhood. Dr Suzy Tamone Chief Operating Officer Joined C&K January 2024Qualifications PhD, MEd (School Guidance & Counselling), BEd, BTeach (Early Childhood)ExperienceDr Suzy Tamone is an experienced early childhood teacher, academic and senior executive. Suzy was appointed to the role of COO in May 2024. Suzy’s previous appointments include senior and executive roles in not-for-profit early childhood organisations, leading portfolios across teacher professional learning and organisational learning and development. Suzy also has over 10 years’ experience as an academic with a focus on professional experience in initial teacher education, Mentoring Beginning Teachers program (for the Department of Education and Training), phenomenographic research and children’s behaviour. Her PhD research was acknowledged with an Outstanding Doctoral Thesis Award. Chantelle Hoare Chief Financial Officer Joined C&K September 2024Qualifications Bachelor of Business Accounting (with Distinction), CPA, Prince 2 Practitioner, PROSCIExperienceChantelle brings with her over 15 years of financial leadership experience, most recently as CFO at LifeFlight Australia and Financial Strategy and Performance Manager at KPMG. Chantelle has spent nearly a decade working within Queensland state government and has a background in financial strategy, transformation, change management, and cross-functional leadership across Finance, IT, Marketing, Travel, Asset management, Human Resources and contract management. Shaun Astill Chief People Officer Joined C&K November 2024Qualifications B.Bus (HRM), DipBus, GAICD, CPHR Experience Shaun is an accomplished Human Resources executive with close to 25 years’ experience spanning private, public, and not-for-profit sectors. Over the past decade, Shaun has dedicated himself to the community services sector, working in both corporate and operational settings. He has a passion for serving people and communities and brings expertise in strategic workforce management, people performance, organisational culture, leadership, and transformation. Shaun has previously served in HR executive, senior management, and advisory roles in mid-large not-for profit organisations, state government departments, and private companies. Vaughan Reed General Counsel and Company Secretary Joined C&K April 2024Qualifications LLB (Hons), CertCoSecEss, CertGov&RiskMgtExperience Vaughan Reed is the General Counsel and Company Secretary at C&K and has over 25 years' experience in leadership and corporate roles, and over a decade in legal and compliance roles across the education and aged care sectors. Previously, Vaughan held senior positions at Affinity Education Group and Oak Tree Group advising in large-scale transactions. He began his legal career at Corrs Chambers Westgarth and has a background in property and leasing law, contract and corporate law. With a strong foundation in corporate governance and strategic legal advisory, Vaughan brings a pragmatic and collaborative approach to supporting organisational integrity and growth.
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