Our board

Dr 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.

Christine Lucas is Head of School Services at Independent Schools Victoria. 

An accomplished educational leader, Christine has had a successful career in school based, jurisdictional and national senior roles, including as Vice Principal of Hillcrest Christina College, Principal of Brindabella Christian College and senior roles in the Australian Government Departments of Education and Community Services. 

Christine's expertise includes leading and delivering excellence in strategic and operational areas, learning and teaching improvement, student and staff wellbeing, leadership development, human resources, financial management and strong community partnerships. 

Christine has a Bachelor of Education and a Master of Education from the University of Canberra.

Christine is the nominee of Independent Schools Victoria.

Mr Martin Keogh is the General Manager of Learning and Teaching at Diocese of Sale Catholic Education Ltd. In this role, he is responsible for the strategic direction and support of Catholic schools, both metropolitan and regional, located in the south-eastern region of Victoria.

Martin’s career spans various educational settings, encompassing rural, regional, and metropolitan schools, where he has served as both a teacher, school leader and principal. He has extensive governance experience, having served both as a director and chair on several not-for-profit boards.

Chris Thompson is Acting Deputy Secretary of Schools and Regional Services Department of Education. 

Chris substantively holds the position of Regional Director of the South-Western Victoria Region. 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 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 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.

Professor Chris Walsh is the Chief Academic Officer and Dean of Victoria University Online. He is an extensively published academic with broad experience as an executive leader at universities such as Victoria University, James Cook University, Torrens University and the Open University. 

Chris is a current Board member of Violence Prevention Australia and Bridges Across Borders, Southeast Asia Community Legal Education Foundation. He has a strong background in audit and risk management, and extensive knowledge and experience working with special needs, disadvantaged, and marginalised communities. 

Chris holds a PhD in Education, an MBA, Master of Education, Master of Science and a Bachelor of Arts.