Our senior staff

Our senior staff

Our senior staff

At 30 June 2024

Corporate Executive
 
Lisa Rodgers PSM – Director General

Lisa has led the Department since 2019. As a widely respected leader in education and a powerful advocate for the progress of young people, she is highly committed to:

  • improving student outcomes
  • connecting communities
  • promoting reform and reconciliation
  • establishing effective leadership in schools.

Lisa’s public sector career includes executive positions both across Australia and internationally. She led the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership and was Deputy Secretary of Education in New Zealand. She has a degree in psychology and was a board director of the Foundation for Young Australians. Lisa received the Australian Council for Educational Leaders Western Australian Pre‑Eminent Educational Leader Award in 2021 and was also named an Australian Council for Educational Leaders Fellow in 2023. In 2024, she was awarded a prestigious Public Service Medal (PSM) for her extraordinary work during the COVID‑19 pandemic. Lisa’s award was also selected for the COVID‑19 Honour Roll, which acknowledges significant contributions to Australia’s COVID‑19 pandemic response.

 

 
Melesha Sands – Deputy Director General, Schools

All directors of education and operational initiatives report to Melesha as she provides strategic direction to the 8 education regions and networks of schools across the state. She leads a variety of key projects and programs, including the Incident Support Unit, Agricultural Education, Operational Initiatives, Program Kaartdijin, Regional Learning Initiatives, the Kimberley Schools Project and Participation and Operational Priorities. Melesha was previously Executive Director, Recovery and Coordination, and led the Department’s COVID‑19 Incident Management Team. Her extensive experience in education includes principalships at Swan View Senior High School and Belridge Secondary College and leadership positions in regional and metropolitan secondary schools. A 2017 Principal Fellow, Melesha has made significant contributions to the public school system in strategic planning, innovation and progressing the Department’s leadership strategy.

 

 
Jim Bell – Deputy Director General, Student Achievement

With a vision of delivering the best possible outcomes for every student, Jim leads the integration of teaching practice with workforce strategy and support services to strengthen support for teaching and learning excellence and enable the best possible outcomes for every student. Appointed to the position in 2020, Jim has more than 25 years of experience driving excellence in teaching and learning. He was:

  • a principal at 6 primary schools
  • a director, Public School Review
  • assistant regional executive director in the South Metropolitan Education Region
  • Executive Director, Strategy and Policy.

Under Jim’s leadership, the Student Achievement group has designed and implemented our Quality Teaching Strategy, Student wellbeing and care: future directions, the Collegiate Principal Program and Principal Professional Review. Jim also has commercial experience in a multi‑national company, managing Aboriginal employment strategies, leadership programs and the business development portfolio.

 

 
Jay Peckitt – Deputy Director General, Education Business Services

For more than 20 years, Jay has worked in senior positions across several Western Australia public sector departments. He currently leads our:

  • planning, delivery and maintenance of education infrastructure
  • financial, fleet and contracting management and budget processes, including the funding of all schools in the state
  • ICT infrastructure, services and security
  • other business services like payroll, compliance, information access and data privacy.

Jay recently spent 9 months at the Department of Communities as a special advisor and Deputy Director General, Business Services. He holds a Bachelor of Business and a Graduate Diploma of Applied Corporate Governance and is a Fellow of CPA Australia. In 2018, the Western Australian Institute of Public Administration Australia named him Chief Financial Officer of the Year and Young Leader of the Year. 

 

 
Juanita Healy – Executive Director, School Curriculum and Standards

Juanita is responsible for leading the development of curriculum, assessment and standards for student achievement in all schools across Western Australia. She has many years of experience in Kindergarten to Year 12 education leadership, including executive roles in the Department and the School Curriculum and Standards Authority and teaching in regional and metropolitan schools. Juanita holds a Master of Education (Policy and Administration). She is a member of the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority Board and Chair of the Australasian Curriculum, Assessment and Certification Authorities’ vocational education and training committee. Juanita reports to the Chair of the School Curriculum and Standards Authority and maintains a strategic reporting relationship with the Director General. 

 

 
Mary Brown – Executive Director, Professional Standards and Conduct

A distinguished and varied career in public and private settings has enabled Mary to develop a wealth of skills in change management, investigation, capability building and executive leadership. Her extensive experience includes time with the Western Australia Police Force, the Corruption and Crime Commission and Deloitte Australia. She has coordinated multiple high‑level investigations where she used evidence‑based insights to deliver comprehensive and just operational outcomes. Mary was also previously with the Department, leading a key reform and business improvement project. 

 

 
Raechelle Lee – Executive Director, Strategy and Policy

Raechelle is dedicated to improving Department and student outcomes through her work in leading our system‑wide strategy and policies. She is responsible for a variety of functions and services, including intergovernmental and ministerial portfolios, school and student data and information, public school review, strategic policy, public schools planning and international education in public schools. She also has oversight for non‑government school regulation and higher education. Raechelle brings considerable experience in education policy and in leading organisational priorities in complex policy environments. She has held leadership positions across a range of policy‑related roles since 2007, including in Aboriginal Education and Intergovernmental Relations. 

 

 
Milanna Heberle – Executive Director, System Response and Transformation

Milanna has more than 30 years of experience in public education, having held executive and leadership positions in central services and regional and metropolitan schools, including 10 years of experience as a secondary school principal. Milanna is acknowledged as a strong, innovative and visionary leader who has participated in a variety of educational committees and contributed extensively to system initiatives. As part of our leadership strategy, Milanna undertook studies at Harvard University in 2018. During 2021 and 2022, Milanna led our response to COVID‑19 where she was instrumental in ensuring schools followed advice for public health and social measures from Western Australia’s Chief Health Officer. In her current role, Milanna is responsible for managing and overseeing complex system‑wide programs and projects. 

 

 
Martin Clery – Executive Director, Statewide Services

Martin has a unique perspective regarding our people and resources having taught in regional and metropolitan schools, as well as working in key Department support roles. As the leader of Statewide Services, he ensures all teachers and students have the support they need to reach their potential. With this focus on improving teacher and student achievement and outcomes, Martin oversees the development and delivery of:

  • teaching and learning resources
  • professional learning
  • support for students with specific learning needs.

Martin reports to the Deputy Director General, Student Achievement. 

 

 
Karen Roberts – Executive Director, Workforce

Building on her extensive experience with the University of Western Australia, the Western Australia Police Force, and the Department of Fire and Emergency Services, Karen was appointed Executive Director of Workforce in June 2024, overseeing our human resources. Karen holds a Master of Human Resources and a Master of Public Policy and Management, a Graduate Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. She is a recipient of the Western Australian Institute of Public Administration Australia’s Human Resource Management Practitioner of the Year and Leader of the Year Working Within a Division, Team or Organisation. Karen reports to the Deputy Director General, Student Achievement.

 

 
Marie‑Anne Keeffe – Director, Communications

Marie‑Anne (MAK) has led our Communications directorate since 2023, bringing extensive experience in strategic communications and media across radio, television, print and digital. MAK spent 25 years at Channel 7 Perth, including as Telethon General Manager, where she helped raise more than $80 million for sick children. She was an executive producer for Today tonight, produced Howard Sattler’s top‑rating radio show on 6PR and ran a boutique strategic communications and media training agency in Perth. When the pandemic hit, MAK was seconded to Consumer Protection as campaign manager for the COVID‑19 taskforce, where she was able to combine her communications and legal skills. MAK is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and was also recently appointed to the Western Australian Advisory Board at the Heart Foundation. 

 

 
Richard Miles – Director, Teacher Registration

Richard leads the division responsible for the regulation of the teaching profession in Western Australia, providing secretariat services to the Teacher Registration Board of Western Australia. He administers registration services to around 60,000 teachers, ensuring the safe, competent and professional practice of teaching in Western Australian educational venues across the public education, non‑government and early childhood sectors. This includes assessment and investigation of disciplinary and impairment matters involving registered teachers, and accreditation of initial teacher education programs delivered by university and other providers. Richard holds a Master of Arts (Political Science), a Bachelor of Laws and a Graduate Diploma in Practical Legal Training and has a background in strategic policy, labour market analysis, intergovernmental relations and legislative review. Richard reports to the Chair of the Teacher Registration Board of Western Australia and the Director General. 

 

 
Paul Bridge – Advisor, Cultural Responsiveness and Aboriginal Perspectives

As an Aboriginal educator of immense experience, Paul is conscious of the critical challenges facing Aboriginal students in public schools and rural and remote community schools. He has held leadership and principal positions across the Kimberley Education Region and has liaised with Aboriginal communities, government agencies, universities and community bodies. Paul also holds the role of Director of Education, Kimberley. In addition to his dual Department roles, Paul is a ministerially appointed member of the Rural and Remote Education Advisory Council and was a previous senior vice president of the State School Teachers’ Union of WA. 

 

 

Other senior officers or division heads
 
Steve Watson – Executive Director, Schooling Operations and Initiatives

As a director of education, Steve’s focus has been on building community relationships and enhancing support for regional public schools. Early success in this area has led to his appointment as acting Executive Director, Schooling Operations and Initiatives. Steve has extensive leadership experience in regional and metropolitan public education and the special needs area, particularly in deaf education. He helped to establish the School of Special Educational Needs: Sensory and has also served as the foundation principal for the School of Special Educational Needs: Behaviour and Engagement. Steve has held multiple senior leadership roles within the Department.

 

 

Philippa Beamish Burton – Executive Director, Finance and
Commercial Services and Chief Finance Officer

With award‑winning financial insight and almost 20 years of public sector experience, Philippa currently leads the Department’s Finance and Commercial Services division and is serving as the Chief Finance Officer. She recently acted as Deputy Director General, Education Business Services and was previously the Director, Financial Planning and Resourcing. Philippa has held senior positions at the former Department for Child Protection and Family Support and the Department of Communities. Philippa is a Certified Practising Accountant and was named Chief Financial Officer of the Year at the 2022 W.S. Lonnie Awards. She was also named the Finance Practitioner of the Year in 2017 and 2022 by the Western Australian Institute of Public Administration Australia.

 

 

Rob Thomson – Executive Director, Infrastructure

Leveraging over 20 years of experience in infrastructure planning and investment in the public sector, Rob currently leads our infrastructure team. He is responsible for managing our asset portfolio, which includes strategic asset planning, land acquisition, capital works, services contracting, maintenance and minor works programs. Rob has previously held senior positions at the former Department of Sport and Recreation and the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries. 

 

 
David Dans – Chief Information Officer

David has led our information and communication technologies team since 2017. He is responsible for strategic service delivery, infrastructure and telecommunications, e‑learning and business systems, student information systems and ICT governance. David has more than 40 years of technology and commercial experience in public and private sectors within Australia and overseas. Before joining the Department, he was Chief Digital Officer at Landgate. 

 

 

 

Our Directors of Education
 
Leigh Nelson – Director of Education, Goldfields

As a public school leader for more than 20 years, working predominantly in regional and remote schools, Leigh has been committed to establishing a culture of high performance both as a principal and system leader. Leigh is an effective change manager with excellent interpersonal skills. He has a demonstrated capacity to bring groups of people together to achieve improved outcomes for students and staff. Leigh has previously been principal of a WA Primary School of the Year and is also a Principal Fellow.

 

 
Paul Bridge – Director of Education, Kimberley

As an Aboriginal educator of immense experience, Paul is conscious of the critical challenges facing Aboriginal students in public schools and rural and remote community schools. He has held leadership and principal positions across the Kimberley Education Region and has liaised with Aboriginal communities, government agencies, universities and community bodies. Paul also holds the role of Advisor, Cultural Responsiveness and Aboriginal Perspectives reporting to the Director General. In addition to his dual Department roles, Paul is a ministerially appointed member of the Rural and Remote Education Advisory Council and was a previous senior vice president of the State School Teachers’ Union of WA. 

 

 
Lisa Criddle – Director of Education, Midwest

Hands‑on, in‑school experience, combined with an impressive leadership track record, has enabled Lisa to develop a unique student‑focused outlook. She currently holds dual roles as the Director of Education, Midwest and also leads early childhood education priority reporting to the Deputy Director General, Student Achievement. Lisa believes that every child should have a clear pathway to success and she strives to instil this touchstone within all strategy and policy discussions. She has previously been Executive Director, Early Childhood Education, a director of education in the Goldfields Education Region and the principal of Allendale Primary School. Lisa was also a WA Primary Principal of the Year in 2017 and is a Principal Fellow. 

 

 
Cheryl Townsend – Director of Education, North Metropolitan

As a principal, principal advisor and director of education for the South Metropolitan and now the North Metropolitan education regions, Cheryl has consistently championed initiatives that improve outcomes for our students, teachers and wider school communities. Cheryl was a 2‑time finalist for WA Secondary Principal of the Year in 2016 and 2017. She received an Australian Council for Educational Leaders Certificate of Excellence in Educational Leadership, was proclaimed the winner of the 2017 Women of Achievement Award and is a Principal Fellow. 

 

 
Sally Panizza – Director of Education, Pilbara

Sally has held school appointments that range from Kindergarten to Year 12 and she has been the principal of a district high school and a WA College of Agriculture. Sally has led several school and system reform initiatives using an evidence‑based, strategic and collaborative approach to change management. She was the first female director of Agricultural Education, a finalist for the Women of Achievement Award and is a Principal Fellow. 

 

 

 
Sue Cuneo – Director of Education, South Metropolitan

With more than 35 years in various public education roles, Sue brings a wealth of practical knowledge to the South Metropolitan Education Region. She has demonstrated outstanding strategic focus and people management capabilities as a primary and secondary teacher, deputy principal, principal, and in various Department leadership roles and director‑level positions in 5 education regions. Sue actively promotes diversity and equity of education for all students, understanding the need to develop and maintain a genuine connection to community.

 

 
Dainon Couzic – Director of Education, South West

Dainon is an experienced leader in education. He served as the Assistant Director of Education for the South West Education Region from 2021 to 2024. Before this, he held leadership roles at secondary schools in regional and metropolitan areas. Dainon was a finalist for the WA Secondary Principal of the Year award in 2019 and is a Principal Fellow. He received the Fogarty Foundation Success Through Educational Excellence – Master of School Leadership Prize in 2016. He is an inclusive leader who is passionate about helping schools and students succeed and reach their potential.

 

 
Douglas Cook – Director of Education, Wheatbelt

Douglas is a highly experienced school and system leader who enables student achievement by creating positive school cultures and empowering staff. Douglas has a deep understanding of the diversity of our schools through his previous central leadership roles, including as a principal advisor. His experience as a principal in regional schools supports his work to provide children and young people access to a quality education and connection to their community, no matter where they live. Douglas was a finalist for WA Primary Principal of the Year in 2016 and is a Principal Fellow.