Board

The Board is responsible for the management and strategic development of Chisholm Institute with a number of objectives:

• Establish goals and long term strategic directions for the Institute
• Provide quality vocational education and training and adult, community and further education programs and services
• Identify needs for high quality vocational education and training in industry
• Involve staff in the continuous development of their skills
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with local and regional communities
• Manage and control the Institute efficiently and effectively and to optimise the efficient use of resources.

Each Board member brings with them significant expertise in terms of their own professional knowledge and experience, but all share a passion for the future of Chisholm.

Dr Gillian Miles AM (Ministerial Appointee, Board Chair)

Gillian has extensive experience in the public sector having advised Australian governments and led organisations in national, state and local governments. Gillian’s prior roles include CEO of the National Transport Commission, CEO of the City of Greater Geelong, and Head of Transport Victoria, and she has also occupied deputy secretary roles in transport and community development. Gillian has a Bachelor of Education, a Master of Letters in Cultural Theory and a Doctor of Business Administration. Gillian comes to Chisholm Institute from Gordon TAFE where she served as a Board member since 2020.

Stephen Varty MAICD (Chief Executive Officer and Director)

Stephen was appointed to the position of Director and Chief Executive Officer from the 18 November 2019 having held the position of interim Chief Executive Officer April.

Previous to this, he held the position of Chief of Education, having joined Chisholm in 2015 from Victoria University where he was the Director of Innovation and Engagement. Stephen has held a number of senior managerial leadership positions across the VET and HE sectors both in the UK and Australia.

Stephen has wide ranging experience in the Education and Training sectors and a passion for education and implementation of innovative practice, creative training solutions, coaching and leadership execution to transform and increase the competence and productivity of individuals and business.

Stephen holds a Bachelor of Education - VET (Charles Sturt University), a Graduate Certificate in Educational Leadership (Victoria University) and a Masters of Education (Victoria University).

George Lekakis AO (Ministerial Appointee, Board Deputy Chair)

George has worked in the not-for-profit community services sector and government and is the President of VicScreen having been appointed in November 2022. George was Chair of the Victorian Multicultural Commission (2001 to 2011), Chair of the Board of the Victorian Interpreting and Translation service, and Multicultural Arts Victoria, Executive Director, International Student Experience, at the Victorian Department of Business and Innovation and Director, South Central Region Migrant Resource Centre. George was CEO of the New Hope Foundation and Fronditha Care and has also been a member of many other government and non-government boards and committees in executive roles.

Des Powell AM (Ministerial Appointee)

Des was appointed a Director of the Chisholm Institute Board in November 2024.

Des is a current Director of Ports Victoria, Barwon Water Corporation and CBLA Ltd, a recent former Member of the Advisory Board for Victorian Skills Authority and Ministerial Board Observer for TAFEs.

He has extensive experience in executive management and board roles in the public and private sectors in the Ports , Freight and Logistics sectors, both locally and internationally. In addition he brings Director and Chair experience in the education and community services not for profit sectors.

Catherine Scarth (Ministerial Appointee)

Catherine was appointed a Director of the Chisholm Institute Board in September 2025.

Catherine’s career has been dedicated to the design and implementation of innovative social programs and enterprises across Australia and the United Kingdom including programs to enhance economic and social participation for newly arrived migrants and refugees.

Catherine is a Trust Member of The Southern Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust, Chair of the Refugee Communities Association of Australia and Kare ONE, and Director of Thrive Refugee Enterprises and the Institute of Employability Professionals. She is the former Chief Executive Officer of AMES Australia.

Mary Nega (Ministerial Appointee)

Mary Nega was appointed to the Chisholm Institute Board as a Director in September 2025.

She brings experience across youth-led, non-profit, legal and policy focused organisations, with a strong focus on supporting underrepresented and marginalised communities, particularly young people and culturally diverse groups. Mary currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of the Youth Affairs Council Victoria, the peak body and leading policy advocate for young people and the youth sector in Victoria.

Previously, she was the CEO of Global Voices, an organisation that provides young Australians with practical opportunities to engage with international institutions and contribute to global policy discussions.

Mary holds a Juris Doctor and a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Melbourne, a Diploma of Governance from the Institute of Community Directors Australia, and a Diploma of Legal Practice from the College of Law. She is an admitted lawyer in both the Supreme Court of Victoria and the High Court of Australia.

Carmel Cammarano (Staff Elected Director)

Carmel has skills in education, training and leadership with extensive experience in the TAFE sector.

Commencing at Chisholm Institute in 2008 as a vocational educator, Carmel had prior roles as a chef and kitchen manager, working in Australia and overseas. In recent years Carmel was a hospitality education manager at Chisholm and is currently a business partner in the Chisholm Solutions team.

Carmel joined the Board of Trustees of the Caroline Chisholm Education Foundation in November 2023 and is the Foundation’s Fundraising Committee Chair.

Carmel has a Graduate Diploma in Education Technology, a Diploma of Vocational Education and Training, a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, a Diploma of Vocational Education and Training Practice, and a Certificate III in Commercial Cookery.

Lisa Norman (Board Co-opted)

Lisa is CEO of St John of God Berwick Hospital. Lisa has worked in the health industry for 30 years and in Executive leadership roles for 17 years. Initially gaining qualifications as a Registered Nurse, she went on to gain qualifications in critical care nursing specialising in emergency and trauma nursing.

She also has a Graduate Certificate in Catholic Leadership and Culture. Lisa has recently been appointed by the Department of Health and Human Services to the Victorian Clinical Council. Lisa is the chair of the Infrastructure, Systems and Planning Committee.

Geoff Harry (Board Co-opted)

Geoff retired from full-time executive roles in 2014 and has extensive skills and experience in financial reporting, assurance, governance, risk management and control frameworks and compliance management at both state and local government levels, as well as in the corporate sector.

Geoff holds both Board and Audit and Risk Committee appointments, many of which he chairs. Geoff has a Bachelor of Commerce and is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia and New Zealand, a Fellow of CPA Australia, and a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Geoff has been an independent member of Chisholm’s Audit and Risk Management Committee since 2018.

Christine Robertson MAICD (Board Co-opted)

Christine joined the Board in February 2026.

Christine has held a wide range of senior executive leadership, governance and tertiary teaching roles in public and private education and training institutes and dual sector universities across Australia and has extensive experience in the VET sector. Christine is the current Board Chair of the VET Development Centre. Her former roles include Board Director and CEO of Canberra Institute of Technology, Deputy Chair and Board Director of TAFE Directors Australia, Pro Vice Chancellor VET Charles Darwin University, ASQA Stakeholder Liaison Group member, and Executive of Open Colleges and Holmesglen Institute.

Christine holds a Master of Education (Educational Leadership & Management) (RMIT University), a Graduate Certificate in Education (Adult Education and Training) (James Cook University), and a Bachelor of Community Welfare (James Cook University). She is a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a Fellow of Leadership Victoria.