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Patrick Forth welcomed as Teach For Australia’s new Chair as Larry Kamener departs

Three minutes
Wednesday, January 11th, 2023
TFA CEO Melodie Potts Rosevear and Chair Patrick Forth

In a significant milestone for Teach For Australia’s board, founding member and long-serving Chair Larry Kamener has stepped down and Patrick Forth has been endorsed as the new Chair.

Mr Kamener was an inaugural board member of Teach For Australia (TFA) from 2009 and Chair from 2016-2022.

“Larry has generously given Teach For Australia nearly 14 years of service, leadership and counsel. Larry is a leading figure in Australia’s social sector and I am incredibly grateful for his advocacy, belief in our mission and his care for our organisation over this long time,” Teach For Australia founder and CEO Melodie Potts Rosevear said.

“We thank Larry for his monumental contribution to TFA since 2009. His guidance has been integral to our success and we know he will continue to champion our work. He departs with TFA’s warmest wishes and gratitude.”

Mr Kamener said it had been a great pleasure to be involved with Teach For Australia from its inception and see it flourish.

“I have seen TFA grow from Victoria to WA and then the NT, Tasmania, SA and finally into NSW from 2023. I have seen more than 1000 Associates matriculate from the Leadership Development Program and many go on to leadership roles in schools and in the sector.

“I always find it inspiring to meet Associates and Alumni and to know that TFA has brought this amazing cohort of people into the school system. I have seen sceptics and critics of the program either change their views entirely or, at the very least, moderate their views as the evidence of the program’s success has become clear.

“Melodie has been an outstanding leader and I have enjoyed working closely with her over this time – sharing the challenges, disappointments and successes. I am delighted that my former colleague Patrick Forth is taking over as chair as I know TFA will be in good hands.”

Teach For Australia’s new board member and Chair is Patrick Forth, a Senior Advisor at The Boston Consulting Group. He was officially appointed at the December 2022 board meeting.

Dr Forth has spent 35 years advising senior executives globally in the technology, media and telecommunications industry and brings to the TFA Board a wealth of experience in governance, resourcing and digital transformation.

“After a thorough search supported by People For Purpose, we’re excited to welcome Patrick as our new Chair. As we look to the future and embark on another phase of organisation growth and program expansion, Patrick joins us with expertise in business transformation and the passion for educational equity which unites everyone at TFA,” Ms Potts Rosevear said.

Dr Forth said he was delighted to be taking on the role of Chair for an organisation which he considers has played “a catalytic role in education in Australia for more than a decade”.

“I have always had a passion for education, from teaching at university to serving on school councils and participating on university advisory boards,” he said.

“Excellent education is a top priority for all communities across Australia, and I am excited about the role we can play as the country grapples with issues like increasing the supply of excellent teachers for our students.”

Ms Potts Rosevear said Teach For Australia also wished to thank outgoing board members, Elana Rubin (2019-2022) and Christine Christian (2021-2022) who both stepped down at the end of 2022.

“Elana and Christine each brought significant commercial experience and leadership to the TFA Board during their tenure, and we’ve greatly appreciated their contributions. We wish Elana and Christine the very best for their next endeavours.”

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