Our board
Academy board
The Academy is governed by a board that includes members from the government, Catholic and Independent school sectors.
The Academy’s strategic direction is set by the board and is outlined in our strategy.
The board balances governance expertise, school education and community interests to support the Academy to meet the diverse professional learning needs of Victorian educators.
The board has both advisory and decision-making responsibilities and is directly accountable to the Minister for Education for the performance of the Academy’s functions.
The Academy's chief executive officer is responsible to the board for all policy and operational matters, and to the Secretary of the Department of Education for budgetary, personnel and other administrative matters.
Read the board's Statement of Commitment to First Nations Peoples Self-Determination.
Dr Toni Meath
ChairDr Toni Meath GAICD FACEL is principal of Melbourne Girls Grammar. She is an accomplished leader with deep knowledge of the Victorian education sector. Dr Meath’s work in education innovation has been published nationally and internationally. Previously Dr Meath was principal of the Mac.Robertson Girls’ High School and the founding assistant principal of Nossal High School, Victoria’s first co-educational select entry high school.
Until her appointment as the inaugural chair of the Academy board, Toni was a member of the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority board.
Vacant - nominee of Independent Schools Victoria
The Independent Schools Victoria nominee is currently vacant.
Vacant - nominee of the Victorian Catholic Education Authority
Nominee of the Victorian Catholic Education AuthorityThe Victorian Catholic Education Authority nominee is currently vacant.
Chris Thompson
Nominee of the Secretary of the Department of EducationChris Thompson is Regional Director of the South-Western Victoria Region within the Department of Education.
The region works with a range of stakeholders across government and non-government agencies in issues relating to planning, school improvement and emergency management. Chris was previously the Assistant Deputy Secretary of the Schools and Regional Services Group, where he was responsible for supporting the strategy and operations of Victoria’s government school system and security and emergency management. This included leading the Department’s COVID response in 2020 and 2021.
Chris has previously held executive roles in the Department, including roles responsible for education policy relating to languages, sport and multicultural, Koorie and rural students. Chris has previously worked in the Victorian Departments of Premier and Cabinet, Planning and Community Development and Human Services.
Chris has a Bachelor of Arts (Honours)/Bachelor of Law – Monash University, Executive Master of Public Administration.
Lucy Amon
Lucy Amon is the Head of First Nations Strategy and Engagement at North Melbourne Football Club. She has held roles in both government and independent schools in Victoria as an Indigenous programs coordinator, and as a classroom teacher.
Lucy has also been a First Nations education consultant in the private sector and is a former member of the Education Committee of the Board of Melbourne Indigenous Transition School.
Nicole Pollard
Nicole Pollard is Principal of Marlo Primary School. She is a passionate regional school leader who has a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by young people in regional Victoria. She is currently a Network Executive Member.
Notably, Nicole has worked with a Senior Education Improvement Leader and Network Executive to analyse Network data and develop and implement a 3-year plan aimed at improving health and wellbeing data of students across all schools in the area.
Nicole holds a Master of Education, Postgraduate Certificate in Early Learning and a Bachelor of Education. Ms Pollard lives and works in regional Victoria.
Kathryn Brown
Kathryn is the independent Chair of the Board’s Audit and Risk Committee.
Kathryn is a chartered accountant, experienced financial services executive and non-executive director. She has held a range of executive roles across Deloitte, Henderson Global Investors and the ANZ Bank, including the areas of loan asset management and funds management. She currently sits on the Financial Services Credit Panel of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission and also sits on the Disciplinary Tribunal for Chartered Accountants of Australia and New Zealand. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Otago, New Zealand with a post-graduate diploma qualification in Risk and Compliance, is a Fellow of the Chartered Accountants Aust & NZ, a Fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia, and a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. She is a non-executive director of Housing Choices Australia, Mental Health First Aid International and the Council on the Ageing (Victoria), and Chairs the Finance, Risk and Audit Committees for two organisations. She is also an independent member of the Finance Committee of Ambulance Victoria, and an independent member of the Audit and Risk Committee for Queen Victoria Women’s Centre Trust.
Kathryn is not a member of the Academy Board.
In memoriam: Vale Professor Chris Walsh (1969 – 2026)
Academy Board member Professor Chris Walsh passed away after a battle with illness. Chris was a highly valuable member of the Board from 2025 – 2026.
A former school teacher, and recently the multiple award-winning Dean at Victoria University Online, Chris was an empowering and principled leader who championed teaching quality and workplace equity and who opened doors for others to step into leadership. He consistently advocated for those without a voice, guided by a deep commitment to social justice and the transformative power of education.
An experienced director, even in a short time with us, Chris was a highly valuable Board member. His ability to examine the detail and draw insight from Board and Audit and Risk Committee papers was remarkable. He promoted our work among colleagues and online. His genuine care and concern for Academy staff, including the executive team, was clear in his questioning and continued interest in our wellbeing.
His kindness and care for others were notable, as was his optimism. He is sorely missed.
