Our Board

 

 

 

David Rennick (Chair)

 
BEcon, LLB

 

David brings over 30 years’ experience in the professional services and property industries to his role as a director of Hester Hornbrook Academy, which he joined in August 2016. He is a Director on the Melbourne City Mission board. 

 

David is also a Director of Melbourne Football Club, a Board adviser to Proximity and Carr Design and a senior advisor to Inspired Companies.

 

Previously he was a director of an ASX 200 company, Board Member of international law firm Pinsent Masons and CEO of Maddocks. David’s legal expertise includes property development, corporate real estate and retail property. 

 

 

Louisa Ellum (Deputy Chair)

 
BA (Hons), DipEd, Grad Dip Edit & Publ, M Comm

 

Louisa is a vocal advocate for educational access and equity in Australia and currently works at Swinburne University of Technology. Louisa has worked in both the education and mental health sectors and was recently working with Teach For Australia, Beyond Blue and Headspace. She has also held the positions of CEO of Bayside Glen Eira Kingston Local Learning and Employment Network (BGKLLEN), CEO of the International Specialised Skills Institute and Chair/ Deputy Chair of the Youth Affairs Council Victoria (YACVic) Board and Chair of the Southern Metropolitan Adult Community and Further Education Council. 

Louisa is currently undertaking a PhD in Education at the University of Tasmania under Associate Professor Kitty te Riele in flexible learning and partnerships. Louisa joined the Hester Hornbrook Academy Board in June 2017.

                           

 

 

 

Dr Ros Otzen

 
BA (Hons), BEd, PhD, ASDA


Ros is a passionate supporter of education for all and has chaired The Hester Hornbrook Academy Board since May 2016. Ros was Principal of Korowa Anglican Girls’ School from 1991–2003 and was instrumental in establishing the Alliance of Girls Schools of Australia which has now become a major member of the International Coalition of Girls Schools. 

 

Ros was the inaugural President of the Alumni Council of the University of Melbourne is the former Deputy Chair of the Melbourne City Mission Board. Ros is also an author and historian and is currently writing a biography of Hester Hornbrook, the remarkable founder of the nine ‘ragged schools’ in Melbourne between 1859 and 1862.

 

 

 

Di McDonald

 
BAppSc(Speech Pathology), Grad Dip Ed, Grad Dip Rehab, Grad Dip Bus Mgt, MMgt (Organisational Systems), MAICD

 

Di has an extensive background in healthcare, disability, management, and occupational health and safety, and has held a wide range of senior leadership roles including at a CEO level.

 

Di is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and has broad experience in executive and non-executive board positions across privately-owned and not-for-profit organisations.

 

Di is Chair of MCM Housing, Non-Executive Director of The Hester Hornbrook Academy; Chair of the Law and Advocacy Centre for Women (LACW); a member of the Cabrini Foundation Board; Non-Executive Director of Aged Care Justice; Advisory member of Psychology Melbourne; and past Chair of the Melbourne City Mission Board.

 

 

 

Elida Brereton

 
BA, DipEd, FACE, FACEL

 

Elida has extensive experience as a teacher, principal and educational leader. Elida was a principal in government schools for over 17 years and was National President of the Australian College of Education. In addition to her role on Hester Hornbrook Academy Board from August 2016, Elida is a Board Member and Chair of the Education CHANCES Foundation, member of MLC Kew Foundation; and chair of the board of Korus Connect.

 

Elida conducts reviews of inexperienced principals and is an executive member of various state bodies including the Victorian Secondary Past Principals Association (President), and the National Council of Women of Victoria (Vice-President).

 

 

 

Dr Greg Trainor

 
DBA, MBA, Bachelor of Business Studies, Grad.Dip. Business Studies

 

Greg has over 35 years’ experience in the private and public sector having held leadership roles in the areas of strategy, logistics, software development and consulting. He has worked in a number of public utilities before joining organisations like GE, Accenture, Sensis and Engie.

 

Greg has been involved as an Advisory Board Member on a number of start-ups and small to medium enterprises and has also been on Faculty in MBA programs at Melbourne Business School, RMIT and Latrobe Business School.

 

 

 

 

Sarah Rogers

 
BA, BAppSc-OT, MPH

 

Sarah is a passionate public health professional with a strong focus on children and young people’s health, wellbeing and development. Sarah is an Occupational Therapist with extensive experience across the Health, Education and Community sectors. After completing a Master of Public Health, Sarah has held multiple health projects and Government roles; and is currently working for Our Place. Sarah joined the Hester Hornbrook Academy Board in 2020.

               

 

 

 

 

 

Garry Wilkes

 
MBBS, FACEM, AFRACMA, GCert Hlth Prof Ed

 

Garry is a Clinical Associate Professor with 30 years experience at a Specialist level in public and private Emergency Departments across Australia. Garry is a keen educator in a variety of areas including the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine (ACEM) and the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS). Garry's interest include clinical redesign, communication skills, leadership development, conflict management and coaching.

                             

 

 

 

Nate Keily

 
CPA, CGMA, GAICD, B Int Bus, B Int Std

 

Nate is a Certified Practising Accountant (CPA), Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD) with over 14 years Senior Finance and Commercial Leadership experience at General Electric spanning many industries including Software, Energy, Healthcare and Financial Services.

 

With Commercial Leadership responsibility across 19 countries within the Asia Pacific region, as an integral member of the APAC senior executive team, Nate motivates and manages commercially oriented teams to meet organisational goals and objectives with a focus on growth and value creation for customers and shareholders alike. Nate is a company director for GE’s Australian software business unit.