The Hon. Candy Broad
(Interim Board Chair)

Candy holds a Bachelor of Commerce and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and the Institute of Superannuation Trustees and is an experienced company director.

Candy is currently a Board Director of Gender and Disaster Australia and was previously an independent Trustee Director of First Super, Chair of Women’s Health Victoria, Board Director of the Australian Council of Superannuation Investors, Board Director of Haven Home Safe, Chair of PrimeSafe, Board Director of Hepburn Wind and Chair of Safe Steps Family Violence Response Centre.

Candy was also a Victorian Government Minister for seven years, with a total of 15 years’ parliamentary experience. Candy’s ministerial portfolios included Housing, Local Government, Energy and Resources and Ports.

Candy was Victoria’s first female Minister for Energy and Resources and first female Minister for Ports, and she is a founding member of EMILY’s List Australia.

Her experience representing the Northern Victoria Region in the Legislative Council and in the role of Minister for Local Government have contributed to Candy’s strong commitment to regional and rural communities and the vital role of Victoria’s public TAFEs in delivering the high-quality training communities need.

Allison Jenvey
(Interim Deputy Chair, OAM)

Allison is a Fellow of CPA Australia and a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Allison has significant governance experience on local Boards and Committees. In 2022, Allison received the Medal of the Order of Australia for her contribution to education, business and the community.

Allison has been the Board Chair for Wodonga TAFE and Victorian TAFE Association, and has been appointed as the interim Deputy Chair for the NVITAFE Board of Directors.

Glenda Beecher

Glenda is a qualified solicitor and barrister who relocated to North East Victoria and has taken up roles leading the human resources functions in local government organisations. She previously worked at Monash University as the Director, Workplace Relations and Deputy General Counsel, and in private legal practice.

Daniel Briggs

Daniel grew up in the Goulburn Valley and is a proud Yorta Yorta and Wemba Wemba man.

Daniel holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) and has extensive experience in business, the legal field and in community engagement.

Through his work as Managing Director of the Yurringa Group, Daniel has established four companies across various industries with the view to creating procurement and participation opportunities for marginalised communities, to ensure first and foremost, that Indigenous people have greater economic inclusion in Australia’s economy.

Daniel is also a Non-Executive Board Member at Goulburn Valley Water.

Amanda Kelly

Amanda has contributed in significant ways to organisational change, well-managed and outcome focussed services and quality improvement outcomes.

She has expertise in health promotion and primary prevention, contemporary technology, communication, and media.

Amanda is currently the Chief Executive Officer of Women’s Health Goulburn North East (WHGNE).

Amanda is inspired by change and does her best work where change is needed.

Her interest areas include engaging stakeholders, identifying objectives, assessing the risks involved, working out a strategy and then planning and managing the process of change.

Fiona La Gassick

Fiona is an accomplished executive with a diverse leadership background across sectors in Victoria and Tasmania. She brings extensive experience in strategic and business planning, stakeholder engagement, workforce development, cultural change, and government relations.

Fiona has held senior roles at Greater Shepparton City Council, TasTAFE, GOTAFE, Berry Street, and the Victorian Department of Human Services, including as acting Chief Operating Officer at TasTAFE. She is known for translating strategic vision into practical outcomes, delivering impactful projects in collaboration with industry, government, and community partners.

Her expertise spans marketing, communications, financial management, customer service, and organisational transformation. Fiona holds qualifications in management, marketing, psychology, sociology, and social work, and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. She has also served on multiple boards in Greater Shepparton and Tasmania, including leadership positions as Chair.

As Chief Executive Officer of Greater Shepparton City Council, Fiona leads strategic planning, provides high-level advice to Council, and represents the region to secure investment and deliver community outcomes.

Brendan McGrath

Brendan has over 25 years of Victorian Local Government and private sector management experience.

With a Bachelor of Applied Science and Post Graduate Business Management qualifications he has been in CEO roles since 2008, initially with Indigo Shire and now with the Rural City of Wangaratta.

Brendan is a current Board Member for North East Victoria Regional Tourism Board. He is also the former President and Board Member of Local Government Professionals, the peak body for Local Government professionals in Victoria, and former Board Member of Procurement Australia.

Brendan’s local government and private sector management experience in community and recreation areas gives him a strong understanding of the importance of working closely with people and businesses, recognising TAFE’s significant contributions to the regional communities it serves.

Emma Olivier

Emma is the founder and CEO of Twenty Percent Disability Inclusion Advisory and brings over 30 years of consulting experience. Born without a left hand, she understands the challenges and opportunities of disability in the workplace. Emma has worked across multiple industries, both in Australia and overseas, in various functional and executive roles.

She's actively involved in community service as Victoria's first one-armed surf lifesaver and has been a volunteer with Starfish Nippers.

Emma serves on the following boards Wannon Water, Leadership Victoria and Housing Hub. She is a member of Bayside Council's Disability Access and Inclusion Advisory Committee. She also serves on audit and risk committees for Scope Australia and Wellways Australia. 

Phil Paterson
(Ex-officio Director)

Phil is the CEO of NVITAFE and currently provides leadership and advice to the NVITAFE Board on establishing objectives, policies, priorities and plans in support of operational and strategic objectives. Phil brings a strong commercial background, and 9 years of experience within the TAFE sector to support the delivery of the strategic objectives of the Board, and providing Vocational Education to support our students, our industries and our communities.    

Catherine Prichard

Catherine has over 30 years experience as an accountant in both public and private enterprise having worked in executive roles within the Australian Taxation Office and for large and small public accounting practices, including KPMG and Coopers & Lybrand. She has extensive experience in internal governance reporting and review and approval of statutory returns. She currently has an active role in family farming enterprises in North East Victoria and southern NSW.

Cameron Purdey

Cameron Purdey brings over 30 years of leadership experience in Defence and the Defence Industry, driving strategic outcomes through high-performing teams. Currently Cameron is working in an Army Reserve capacity within Defence's Land Systems Division as the Executive Director Capability Realisation, coordinating support to Land acquisition projects and ongoing sustainment activities for Army's major platforms and materiel.

Bwe Thay

Bwe brings extensive experience in education and Victoria’s multicultural sector. Over the years, he has held key leadership roles and provided strategic guidance on numerous boards, showcasing his multifaceted leadership, stakeholder engagement, strategic planning, networking, and negotiation skills.

Renowned for his unwavering commitment to leveraging education as a transformative force, Bwe recognizes its pivotal role in fostering inclusive, empowered communities and serving as a catalyst for unity, understanding, and progress.

In his capacity as Deputy Chairperson of the Victorian Multicultural Commission, Bwe plays a critical role in shaping discussions and engaging with Ministers and Victorian Government Departments on essential issues such as workplace diversity, employment, and education.

His contributions reflect a steadfast dedication to advancing multicultural harmony and empowering communities through meaningful collaboration and education-driven initiatives.

Jenny Wilson

Jenny Wilson is currently the General Manager, Community Development at the Gardiner Foundation, and a Director and Chair of the People and Culture Committee of Goulburn Valley Water.

Jenny has previously worked in senior management roles for multiple Victorian State Government Departments across the portfolios of agriculture and natural resource management.

Passionate about regional Victoria, Jenny has led a number of industry programs supporting agricultural communities in the adoption of new science, innovation and skills, particularly in response to water policy reform and climate change.

Jenny has extensive government and industry experience in leadership, strategic planning, community engagement, training and development and emergency response.

Jenny is a graduate from Charles Sturt University having completed a Bachelor of Environmental Science, holds an Advanced Certificate in Sustainability and a Diploma of Project Management and is a graduate member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.