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, LLB, MPP, MSc

Dallas McInerney is the CEO of Catholic Schools NSW, the peak body of the state’s almost 600 Catholic schools with responsibility for their funding, distribution, compliance and governance.

Dallas previously held senior roles in the private sector and in Government.

He is an alumnus of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) Young Leaders Programme with delegations through Asia. Before this, he interned for H.E Kofi Annan, Secretary – General of the United Nations in New York. He holds Masters degrees from the Universities of Sydney and Oxford.

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, Waverly.

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.