Thought Leadership Series

Dr Marcia Devlin AM PhD GAICD joined the Academy in 2021 as the inaugural CEO. Dr Devlin brings more than 30 years of national and international experience in education and an unwavering commitment to continuously improving the quality of teaching and learning, ensuring the concept of ‘excellence’ encompasses equity, and strengthening educational leadership. In 2023, Marcia was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for her significant contributions to education and to gender equity.

Marcia began her education career as a primary school teacher before moving into the tertiary sector. She is now a globally recognised expert in education, educational equity and leadership, an Honorary Professor at Macquarie University and a registered psychologist. Her PhD examined the impact of professional learning and coaching on university teaching and student outcomes.

Prior to her appointment at the Academy, Marcia was senior deputy vice-chancellor at Victoria University where she remains an Adjunct Professor and before that, she held executive and senior leadership roles at Federation University Australia, RMIT University, Deakin University and the University of Melbourne. Internationally recognised for her expertise in education, she has given more than 115 keynote and invited addresses in 10 countries, won over $6 million in research funding and has hundreds of academic, professional and media publications to her name.

Dr Devlin is a Trust member of the Queen Victoria Women’s Centre, an elected Lifetime Fellow of the UK-based Society for Research into Higher Education and an appointed Specialist with the Hong Kong Council for the Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications. She also currently serves on the advisory board of the journal ‘Student Success’.

Marcia is formerly a non-executive director on the Melbourne Polytechnic board and Chair of their Education Quality Committee and a board member and committee Chair of the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA). Marcia also served as Interim CEO of the VCAA to oversee the delivery of the 2024 Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) results. 

A highly experienced senior executive leader with extensive experience in the field of education, particularly Catholic education, Elizabeth brings expertise in governance and compliance, strategic development and stakeholder engagement with government and industry to the VCEA.

Having started her career as a primary school teacher, Elizabeth subsequently held several senior leadership positions over three decades at Australian Catholic University and the University of Notre Dame Australia, where she was most recently Deputy Vice Chancellor (Learning and Teaching).

She has served on the National Schools Resourcing Board and been a director of Sydney Catholic Schools Ltd, Loreto College, Normanhurst and is Accredited Panel Chair, Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership, Initial Teacher Education.

Professor Labone has a Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Education (with Merit) from the University of Sydney and a Bachelor of Education from the University of Canberra.

Angela Singh is a proud Yorta Yorta woman and has played a key role in the education portfolio and across government in different capacities over many years, in a range of leadership roles to drive better outcomes for First Peoples in Victoria including in the Department of Education (DE), and previously in the Aboriginal Affairs portfolio in the Department of Premier and Cabinet (DPC).

Angela is Deputy Secretary of the newly formed First Nations Strategy, Policy and Programs group in DE. This new group was established on 1 July 2024 to accelerate work to improve outcomes for First Peoples learners across the early childhood and school education portfolios.

Angela's work across State and Commonwealth governments, and in tertiary education for over 30 years includes:

• Regional Director, North-Western Victoria Region
• Acting Regional Director, South-Eastern Victoria Region
• Acting Area Executive Director, Hume Moreland (now Hume Merri-bek), DE
• Executive Director, Koorie Outcomes Division, DE
• Executive Director, Office of Aboriginal Affairs Victoria, Department of Premier and Cabinet
• Director-Aboriginal Outcomes, Department of Human Services
• Manager-Aboriginal Education, University of Balla rat (teaching at the TAFE and undergraduate level).
• Branch Manager, Indigenous Services, Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations
• Acting Deputy State Manager, Victoria -Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations.

Angela holds a Bachelor of Economics, Graduate Diploma of Education (Primary), Graduate Diploma of Education (Curriculum and Policy Studies), Master of Education, Certificate IV in Training and Assessment and Graduate Certificate in Management. She is an Institute of Public Administration Australia (IPAA) Victorian Fellow and IPAA Victoria Board Member, chairing their Aboriginal Advisory Committee. Angela is also a member of the Deakin University Vice Chancellor's Indigenous Advisory Committee. 

Following the birth of her daughter, Penny joined the Academy as a Principal in Residence in 2022 and has continued to be empowered by those she works alongside. 

Prior to working at the Academy, Penny held both primary and secondary principal class positions in regional Victoria, where she has supported diverse students and families by empowering them with knowledge, skills, and education. 

Penny is excited to now be managing Academy Ballarat where she aims to support educators and leaders to ensure equity and excellence in learning and wellbeing. A key project Penny and her team are working on is breastfeeding accreditation for the centre. This action aims to continue to build on the inclusive nature of Academy Ballarat, where all staff and visitors feel welcome and empowered.