Meet our Senior Executive Team
- Institute Director, Mary Campbell
- Director, Finance, Simon Pritchard
- Director, Educational Delivery, John Tucker (Acting)
- Director, Business Development, Ian Lawrence
- Director, Human Resources, Michelle O'Grady
- Director, Educational Services, Tassia Knack (Acting)
- Director, Infrastructure, Kyley Mitchell
- Director, Client Services & Industry Engagement, Helen Bulle (Acting)
- Manager, Governance and Strategy, Suzanne Dunglison
Institute Director, Mary Campbell
As Institute Director, Mary is responsible for the strategic direction and overall operation of SkillsTech Australia as the lead TAFE institute, and the largest public provider of trade and technician training in Queensland.
Mary has over 20 years experience in the vocational education and training (VET) sector, and brings a wealth of knowledge to this important role. Mary has held a number of senior leadership positions within the VET sector including Director of Education and Training at SkillsTech Australia, Metropolitan South Institute of TAFE and Moreton Institute of TAFE.
On a day-to-day basis, Mary works with the institute's Senior Executive Team to ensure the efficient operation of the institute. Mary also works closely with the SkillsTech Australia Council to deliver the strategic vision for SkillsTech Australia's long-term success.
Mary has a Bachelor of Arts Degree, Diploma of Teaching (TAFE), Graduate Diploma in Open and Distance Learning, and a Masters Degree in Education and Learning Innovations.
The Institute Director reports to the Chief Operating Officer, TAFE Queensland and DET Regional Operations.
Director, Finance, Simon Pritchard
As Director of Finance, Simon is responsible for the continued development of financial capability across the organisation and is responsible for the development of strategic financial frameworks, policies and processes to ensure financial management practices lead to the achievement of the institute's goals and objectives.
Simon has held senior financial positions in Australia and the UK, including Director of Performance Analysis and Reporting for the Department of Education, Training and Employment, Financial Controller of the University of New South Wales, Assistant Chief Financial Officer at the University of Manchester (UK), and Chief Accountant at Trafford Healthcare NHS Trust (UK).
Simon is a member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (UK) and he has recently completed a post-graduate certificate in Public Sector Management and Leadership.
The Director, Finance reports to the Institute Director.
Director, Educational Delivery, John Tucker (Acting)
As Director of Educational Delivery, John is responsible for the development and implementation of VET strategies and policies to ensure the viable delivery of trade and technician programs that achieve 'best practice' training outcomes.
John began his TAFE teaching career in 1993 after a long career in the hospitality industry as a chef in some of Australia's top hotels. John's passion for teaching and learning has been supplemented with a range of qualifications related to teaching and also business, frontline management and project management over his career in vocational learning. He has worked as a faculty head and senior manager at both Metropolitan South Institute and SkillsTech Australia. John also worked in conjunction with TAFE WA to implement an innovative training and support program to support small business owners.
More recently John has been heavily involved with the implementation of assessment first principles and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) across the Queensland VET system. John now works with a team of faculty business managers to support SkillsTech Australia to train and educate its students effectively.
John completed a Bachelor of Adult and Vocational Teaching with a major in Human Resources in 1997.
The Director, Educational Delivery reports to the Institute Director.
Director, Business Development, Ian Lawrence
As Director, Business Development, Ian is responsible for strategically positioning the institute in the VET marketplace by developing and implementing business strategies for increased market penetration and sustainable market growth to significantly increase the institute's domestic, international and commercial revenue base.
Ian Lawrence joined the SkillsTech Australia team at Acacia Ridge in November 2005 as the Director, Educational Development, leading the development of the educational master plan and product development. Ian started his career as a spray painting apprentice in 1975 and spent over 10 years working in the trade. Wanting to advance his career away from the fumes, Ian returned to part-time study in 1980 at Coorparoo State High School, to complete senior studies.
After graduating in 1988 with a Bachelor of Arts, Ian commenced work with TAFE Queensland as a trade teacher. Ian continued to pursue his studies at Griffith University and graduated with a Diploma of Vocational Education in 1991 and began teaching engineering and business subjects at Ithaca Campus before moving into Education management and project roles.
Graduating with an MBA in 1995 from QUT he became the Director of Education at Moreton Campus in 1999. In 2003 Ian made the move to Yeronga Institute of TAFE where he took up the position as Director of Education.
The Director, Business Development reports to the Institute Director.
Director, Human Resources, Michelle O'Grady
As the Director of Human Resources, Michelle O'Grady is responsible for leading human resource strategy and operations as well as organisational development and workplace health and safety.
Michelle joined SkillsTech Australia in early 2012 bringing with her a wealth of experience in a range of roles and areas including Industrial Relations, Occupational Health and Safety, Workforce Initiatives and Diversity.
Over the past 18 years Michelle has undertaken industrial relations work in the public sector within various departments including the Qld Police Service, Department of Education, Department of Employment and Training and the Department of Families. Michelle also has experience in general human resources consultancy.
Michelle has a Graduate Certificate in Public Sector Management and is currently undertaking an Executive Masters of Public Administration.
The Director, Human Resources reports to the Institute Director
Director, Educational Services, Tassia Knack (Acting)
As Director, Educational Services, Tassia is responsible for managing a range of business teams who undertake research, development and stakeholder engagement to ensure the development of 'best fit' educational programs, pathways, systems, support services, methodologies and resource solutions to underpin high educational quality in trade and technician training.
Prior to joining SkillsTech Australia, Tassia held a number of positions at Barrier Reef Institute of TAFE including Director, Regional Studies. During her time with TAFE, Tassia was also a facilitator with the NetLearn Project, managed Flexible Learning Toolbox Projects, developed and delivered a variety of online courses in Information Technology, and was a teacher specialising in programming, database design and systems analysis.
Tassia's qualifications include a Graduate Diploma of Computer Education, Graduate Certificate in Open and Distance Education, Bachelor of Education, Licentiate Diploma Trinity College London (LTCL), Associate Diploma Trinity College London (ATCL), and Associateship Speech and Drama, Australian College Music (ASDA). Tassia is also a member of Member Australian Computer Society (MACS).
The Director, Educational Services reports to the Institute Director.
Director, Infrastructure, Kyley Mitchell
As Director, Infrastructure, Kyley is responsible for the implementation of the institute's Capital Infrastructure Program by developing and maintaining strategic alliances with the department and industry to support trade training delivery through improved investment in educational design, quality and sustainability of its infrastructure.
Prior to joining SkillsTech Australia, Kyley was working for the Department of Public Works as Client Manager, Special Property Projects. Over the last 10 years, Kyley has undertaken a variety of property transactions including consultancy services to the Thuringowa City Council on the Riverway Project, managing land tenure issues to progress the disposal of the Tennyson Tennis Centre (Formerly the Tennyson Power Station), disposal of the Former Townsville General Hospital, and undertaking and managing the due diligence and acquisition of the SkillsTech Australia Acacia Ridge Training Centre.
Upon completion of a Bachelor of Business (Property Studies), Kyley joined QPM Property Management as a graduate in 1995, undertaking property disposals and strategic asset management review of Queensland Health's property portfolio.
The Director, Infrastructure reports to the Institute Director.
Director, Client Services & Industry Engagement, Helen Bulle (Acting)
As Director, Client Services and Industry Engagement, Helen is responsible for the strategic direction and operations of User Choice administration and enrolment teams along with the implementation of effective industry engagement and business strategies for sustainable market growth to assist the institute's domestic revenue base.
Helen commenced at SkillsTech Australia in 2008 as a Business Manager and more recently worked as Assistant Director to the Director of Education and Training. Helen has worked in the VET sector for the past 20 years with specific experience in the trades and apprenticeship areas over the past 7 years.
Helen commenced her career as an IT programmer whilst gaining a Degree in Computer Science. After moving from Victoria to Queensland she progressed into the education profession. Over the past 20 years Helen has worked in the public, private and university sectors in both teaching and management roles whist gaining a Graduate Diploma of Education and Training (VET).
Helen has a Bachelor in Computer Science and a Graduate Diploma of Education and Training (VET).
The Director, Client Services and Industry Engagement reports to the Institute Director.
Manager, Governance and Strategy, Suzanne Dunglison
As Manager, Governance and Strategy, Suzanne works closely with the Institute Director and senior management to provide independent advice and management of critical issues.
The Manager also acts as the Corporate Secretary, facilitating the work of the SkillsTech Australia Council in promoting governance culture and ethical corporate behaviour, and bridges the interests of the council, management and stakeholders.
Suzanne has recently been admitted as a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
The Manager, Governance and Strategy reports to the Institute Director, and as Corporate Secretary reports to the Chair, SkillsTech Australia Council.
