I am an accomplished EdTech entrepreneur, product architect, and advocate for secure, purpose-driven innovation in education. As co-founder and CEO of EdSmart, I’ve guided the company from its inception in 2014 to become one of Australia’s leading SaaS platforms for school administration and communications. Today, EdSmart serves more than 1,400 schools and over one million educators, students, and parents, streamlining processes and strengthening engagement across the education sector.

With a career spanning more than 25 years in technology and digital business, I combine a broad skill set in product strategy, technical execution, business governance, and a strong focus on cybersecurity and data privacy. At EdSmart, I am directly responsible for the secure management of the personal information of hundreds of thousands of Australian students and parents. I led EdSmart through the end-to-end implementation and audit process for ISO27001 certification, embedding privacy-by-design principles and rigorous security controls across all aspects of the organisation. This work has established EdSmart as a trusted partner for schools navigating an increasingly complex landscape of regulatory compliance and cyber risk.

I’m known for my inspirational leadership, motivating teams and keeping them moving forward, often in environments with limited resources. My strategic thinking enables me to see the big picture when making decisions that impact the future direction of the company, identifying opportunities, anticipating challenges, and making informed decisions grounded in data and emerging market trends.

I possess a strong understanding of business management fundamentals, including finance, marketing, sales, and operations. This includes the ability to create and manage budgets, develop effective pricing strategies, and analyse the competitive landscape to ensure sustained growth. I also bring deep expertise in product management, guiding the development process for online products, setting clear product goals, identifying key features, and ensuring that solutions consistently meet and exceed customer needs.

As an experienced communicator, I regularly liaise with stakeholders, investors, employees, customers, and partners. I can clearly articulate a vision, share progress updates, and address challenges with transparency and authenticity. My agility in leadership allows me to pivot quickly in response to changing market conditions, adapt strategies based on feedback, and guide organisations through periods of uncertainty.

Before founding EdSmart, I co-founded Artshub.com in 2000, a pioneering global arts subscription platform with offices in Melbourne, London, and New York. Artshub was featured in 50 Great eBusinesses and the Minds Behind Them, and became an influential digital community for the arts sector. My early career included more than a decade in arts and cultural management, running a consulting business for the performing arts and receiving national marketing awards for innovative projects.

As a recognised thought leader on leadership and organisational culture, I regularly contribute articles that elevate conversations across the education and business sectors. Notably, I authored a widely-read LinkedIn series exploring the ten core qualities of great leaders, covering topics such as:

• Leadership is Showing Up: The power of consistent visibility and active engagement across all channels and formats, setting a tone of curiosity and readiness.
• Leadership is Being the North Star: Balancing short-term demands with long-term vision, and translating strategy into a compelling company narrative.
• Leadership is Adaptability: Leading with curiosity and flexibility through crisis and change, such as the pivot during COVID-19, demonstrating how empathetic adaptability builds resilience.
• Leadership is Honesty and Listening: Advocating for thoughtful transparency and deep listening—prioritising meaningful connection over scripted authority, cultivating trust through vulnerability.
• Leadership is Confidence: Balancing decisive action with deep reflection—embracing risk when necessary, while ensuring decisions are grounded in evidence, empathy, and diverse leadership input.

This series, including the article “Ten Leadership Qualities”, was summarised in a downloadable infographic, distilling leadership into actionable insights for leaders seeking to elevate their impact beyond operations toward transformation.

Skills Summary

Area	Description
Leadership	I inspire and motivate teams, driving progress even with limited resources; I foster a culture of trust and high performance.
Strategic Thinking	I see the big picture, identify opportunities, anticipate challenges, and make data-driven, future-focused decisions.
Business Management	I have a deep understanding of finance, marketing, sales, and operations; I’m skilled in budgeting, pricing, and competitive analysis.
Product Management	I have extensive experience guiding online product development, setting goals, prioritising features, and delivering customer-centric solutions.
Cybersecurity & Data Privacy	I led EdSmart’s ISO27001 certification and oversee privacy-by-design and secure management of sensitive data at scale.
Information Security Management	I implement risk management, compliance frameworks, and continuous improvement for SaaS platforms in regulated sectors.
Communication	I am an experienced communicator with stakeholders, investors, staff, and partners; adept at articulating vision and handling challenges transparently.
Agility	I rapidly adapt to market changes and feedback, pivoting strategies to maintain resilience and relevance.
Operational Excellence	I deliver results in high-growth settings; scale operations, build resilient teams, and sustain performance under pressure.
Mentorship & Advocacy	I’m an active mentor and champion for inclusive, age-diverse, and ethically driven innovation in tech and business.