Three new board members have been welcomed to Teach For Australia’s board, during an important growth period for the education-focused organisation.
Edwina Dohle, Adam Ross and Olivia Brown join the board from April 2023, bringing with them a wealth of professional experience across both education sector and corporate roles.
“We are delighted to formally welcome Edwina, Adam and Olivia to the Teach For Australia board,” TFA Founder and CEO Melodie Potts Rosevear said.
“All three bring invaluable experience, knowledge and skills from their professional careers, and a comprehensive understanding of the ambitious goals that TFA is seeking to achieve. They have a robust understanding of the complex landscape that today’s educators are operating in, and a passion to tackle educational inequity head on.
“As Alumni of TFA’s Leadership Development Program, Edwina and Adam also bring first-hand experience with the program and within Australian classrooms. With our sights firmly set on expansion and program growth, we look forward to seeing what will be achieved this year alongside our board and newly appointed Chair Patrick Forth.”
Among their varied backgrounds, each new appointee shares a belief in the importance of equitable education for all children, everywhere. Their individual skill sets – paired with those of the existing board members – place TFA in strong stead to continue to tackle the issue of educational inequity.
Part of TFA’s first Leadership Development Program cohort (2010) Edwina Dohle’s passion for education led her to transition out of her original career as a lawyer and to explore a career in the education sector. She has since parlayed this knowledge into a range of public sector roles within the Department of Education and Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.
Edwina commented that “TFA has proven the power that dedicated, well-supported teaching professionals can have on student outcomes and wellbeing in schools across the country. I look forward to bringing the experience and perspective gleaned from close to a decade working on education and social policy to support the organisation’s mission.”
Fellow Alumni Adam Ross (2012 cohort) has a firm understanding of the challenges and opportunities faced in Australian classrooms, having taught in Horsham (regional Victoria) for a decade including as Assistant Principal. More recently, Adam relocated to Geelong to work within Victoria’s Academy of Teaching and Leadership. In this role he is focused on applying his first-hand knowledge to improving schools and upskilling educators across the Geelong and South West region of Victoria.
“TFA’s support throughout my career has opened up many opportunities and introduced me to some amazing people that have supported my work. I’m excited to be part of assisting TFA to continue to play a similar role in supporting our future and current educational leaders to make an impact on the problem of educational inequity” said Adam.
“I hope to offer a strong understanding of the levers and challenges in addressing educational inequity at a school and government level.”
Also joining the board, Olivia Brown is an experienced corporate advisor with 15 years of experience in investment banking and corporate communications.
Olivia commented that “teachers are extraordinary people who play a key role in all our children’s lives and getting great talent to choose to teach is critical if we are to make sure every Australian child gets the education they deserve.”
She intends to leverage her experience in stakeholder management and narrative development to help propel TFA’s mission even further, and to support the team in delivering on the organisation’s potential. Olivia will also be chairing the Audit and Risk committee to ensure best practice risk management and governance is in place.
Teach For Australia would also like to take the opportunity to thank departing board member and Alumni representative Keita Matsumoto for his valuable contribution since coming onboard in 2020.
“Keita has been an incredible contributor on the board and on our Finance and Risk committee. His diligence was truly exemplary, and his questions always centred on our vision, mission and students. As an active alumnus, I know he will continue to serve TFA and our shared commitment to educational equity,” Melodie said.
