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 current roles include Commissioner of Infrastructure Australia, Chair of the Rail Industry Safety and Standards Board and Director on the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator Board. Gillian’s prior roles include CEO of the National Transport Commission, CEO of the City of Greater Geelong, and Head of Transport Victoria. 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 came to Chisholm Institute from The Gordon TAFE where she served as a Board member since 2020 to 2023.

Gillian is Chair of the Board, and the Remuneration and Membership Committees.

Stephen Varty MAICD (Chief Executive Officer and Director)

Stephen was appointed Director and Chief Executive Officer in November 2019, having previously acted as interim Chief Executive Officer.

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 workforce transformation when increasing 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).

Stephen is Trustee of the Caroline Chisholm Education Foundation, Deputy Chair of the Education Committee and a member of the Membership Committee.

George Lekakis AO (Ministerial Appointee, Deputy Board Chair)

George has worked in the not-for-profit community services sector and government and is the President of VicScreen,  appointed in November 2022. He is also currently a Board Director at the Victorian Fisheries Authority.

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.

George is Deputy Board Chair, Chair of the Infrastructure Systems and Planning Committee, and member of the Audit and Risk Management, Remuneration and Membership Committees.

Des Powell AM (Ministerial Appointee)

Des is a current Director of Ports Victoria, Barwon Water Corporation and Cambridge Box Hill Language Assessment Ltd (CBLA) Ltd. He is a recent former Member of the Advisory Board for Victorian Skills Authority and Ministerial Board Observer for TAFEs. Des was previously Chair of TAFE Gippsland.

Des has extensive experience in executive management and board roles in the public and private sectors in the Ports, Freight and Logistics sectors, locally and internationally. He also brings director and chair experience in the education and community services not-for-profit sectors. Des is a member of the Audit and Risk Management Committee.

Catherine Scarth (Ministerial Appointee)

Catherine’s career has been dedicated to the design and implementation of innovative social programs and enterprises across Australia and the UK, 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 Director of Refugee Legal, Thrive Refugee Enterprises and Open Pathways Collective. She is the former Chief Executive Officer of AMES Australia.

Catherine is member of the Infrastructure, Systems and Planning and Remuneration Committees.

Mary Nega (Ministerial Appointee)

Mary 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. She currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of the Youth Affairs Council of Victoria and previously was the CEO of Global Voices

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.

Mary is a member of the Membership Committee.

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

Carmel is the Board’s representative on the Board of Trustees of the Caroline Chisholm Education Foundation having joined in November 2023, and is the Foundation’s Fundraising Committee Chair. Carmel is also a member of the Education Committee.

Christine Robertson MAICD (Board Co-opted)

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.

Christine is Chair of the Education 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 is Chair of the Audit and Risk Management Committee.

Dona Tantirimudalige (Board Co-opted)

Dona is an experienced leader within the Victorian water industry with over ten years of experience as a board director and 25 years of experience across both metropolitan and regional settings in the water industry, with experience in strategic planning, customer experience, and the asset life cycle.

Dona is the current Managing Director of Westernport Water, current Board Member of Energy and Water Ombudsman (Victoria) and the Victorian Water Industry Association. Past roles include Chair of South East Monash Legal Services and President of the Institute of Water Administrators.

Dona is a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, holds a Master in Public Policy and Management, and a Bachelor of Engineering (Civil – Honours). Dona’s appointment to the Board commences 1 August 2026.