The NESA Board

BA, MA, PhD, Hon. Litt.D (UNSW), Hon. Litt.D (UWS)

Peter Shergold is an Australian academic, company director, and former public servant. He has chaired recent Government reviews into education.

Peter is:

• Chancellor of Western Sydney University
• former Secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
• a Companion of the Order of Australia and a Centenary Medal recipient
• Chair of the Australian Research Council
• a fellow of the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia.

BEd

Murat Dizdar PSM is the Secretary of the NSW Department of Education, which delivers quality education and training services for the people of New South Wales. This includes the Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) sector, government and non-government schools, and the Vocational Education and Training sector.

MEd 

Margery Evans is the Chief Executive of Independent Schools NSW.

She has spent her career in education, starting as a teacher, progressing to school principal and executive leader.

Margery has previously held roles as CEO of Independent Schools Australia, Academic Director for Aga Khan Education Services and CEO of the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership.

MEd, BEd, Dip-Ed

Robyn Evans holds the role of Principal in Residence, Office of the Deputy Secretary Public Schools. She is the immediate past President of the NSW Primary Principals’ Association representing NSW Primary Principals.

In the role of Principal in Residence she collaborates with the NSW Department of Education, Education Support Team and Executive personnel to make recommendations to advise on and shape policies and practices in NSW schools through the lens of a Primary Principal and NSW Public Schools.

BA(Hons), DipEd

Angelo Gavrielatos is the immediate past President of the NSW Teachers Federation.

He is currently the Campaign Manager at Education International, the global union federation representing 33 million teachers and other education workers in 180 countries.

Between 2008 and 2015 Angelo was the Federal President of the Australian Education Union when he led the national Gonski schools funding campaign.

BEd, MA, PhD

Sally Howell has spent her career supporting students with disability as a support teacher, inclusion consultant, university lecturer and principal. Sally's current and recent roles include:

• President, Australian Association of Special Education (AASE) NSW Chapter
• Expert Panel Member, Institute of Special Educators (InSped)
• Principal, Macquarie University Special Education Centre (MUSEC) School (2013–2023)
• member of NESA’s former Policy and Advisory Committee
• current member of NESA’s Education of Students with Disability Forum.

Paul Martin was appointed as NESA CEO in December 2019. He is an ex-officio member of the NESA Board and current member of the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) Board.

Paul has held past positions as:

• Executive Director, Quality Teaching, NESA
• policy advisor for NSW and Australian Governments.

BA, DipEd, MEd, EdD MACE, MACEL, MAICD, AFAIM, HFTGN

Dr Nockles has been Head of School at Macarthur Anglican School since 2009, following seven years as Deputy Head.

Current roles

• Chair, NSW/ACT Branch of the Association of Heads of Independent Schools of Australia (AHISA).
• Treasurer and Chair, Finance and Investment Committee, AHISA National Board.

BEd. M. Educational Admin, MA (Theology), Masters of Educational System Leadership, Grad. Cert. Gifted Education, GAICD, FACE, FACEL

Elizabeth O’Carrigan is a passionate educator with many years of leadership experience as a teacher, principal, and director of education in the city and rural communities. She is committed to improving student outcomes and coaching and mentoring future leaders.

Elizabeth is the current chair of NESA’s Registration and Accreditation Committee, a sub-committee of the  NESA Board. She has previously been a member of the inaugural Redfern Jarjum College Council, Chair of the Board at St Patrick’s College, Strathfield, and Board member for St Clare’s College, Waverley.

BEd, MPhil

Mechel Pikoulas brings over 30 years of experience in public education, including 14 years as a Principal. Currently leading Strathfield Girls High School, she is committed to promoting equity, innovation, and student success. Her dedication to empowering diverse school communities and inspiring staff and students to thrive was recognised with the awarding of the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) in 2023.

PhD, BSocSc

Professor Michele Simons is the Dean and Head of the School of Education at Western Sydney University. Michele has been an active researcher for more than three decades. The common thread across her work is an interest in workforce planning, learning in the workplace and initial and ongoing professional learning for teachers, leaders and other professional staff employed across all sectors of education.

Michele is the current President of the Australian Council of Deans of Education which is a peak organisation for all Higher Education Providers conducting teaching and research in the discipline of Education.

BTeach, BHlthPhyEd

Nathan Towney is a proud Wiradjuri man from Wellington, NSW. He is currently the interim Deputy Vice-Chancellor Engagement and Equity at the University of Newcastle. Nathan was previously the Pro Vice-Chancellor Indigenous, Strategy and Leadership and Head of the Wollotuka Institute. He has held various teaching and leadership positions, including Principal of Newcastle High School.

Nathan is:

• Chair of the NUSport Board
• Chair of NESA’s Aboriginal Education Forum.

BEd, DipTeach

David Towson is the Deputy Secretary of the Independent Education Union of Australia NSW/ACT Branch (IEU).

David commenced working for the IEU in 2005 and has represented the interests of teachers and support staff in various capacities over the last 21 years. Prior to this David taught history and other subjects in secondary schools in Sydney, London and Far North Queensland for 18 years.  During that period, he held leadership positions in both pastoral and curriculum roles.