Adrienne Nieuwenhuis is a Commissioner with the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency. Prior to this she held senior appointments at the University of South Australia, where she was the Director of the Office of the Vice Chancellor and in State Government, where she was the Director Quality, Tertiary Education, Science and Research in the South Australian Department of Further Education, Employment, Science and Technology.
In these roles, she was responsible for the provision of high-level strategic analysis and policy advice. While in State Government, she was also responsible for a range of regulatory services for both VET and higher education. Adrienne worked closely with the Commonwealth Government in the establishment of the national regulatory systems for VET and higher education.
She was an inaugural member of both the Higher Education Standards Panel and the National Skills Standards Council. Adrienne has been a member of the South Australian Skills Commission (formerly the Training and Skills Commission) since 2013. She is also a member of the Australian Industry Skills Committee.
Adrienne has over 30 years' experience in tertiary education and has been a member of various state and federal committees and working parties associated with tertiary education.
She holds an Honours Degree in Science and a Masters Degree in Educational Administration.
Andrew Keogh served for 22 years in the Australian Navy, which included command of two Collins Class submarines and a three-year exchange posting with the US Navy’s Submarine Force in Pearl Harbour, Hawaii.
He was awarded the Conspicuous Service Cross (CSC) for his leadership in command of HMAS SHEEAN in 2006.
Andrew retired from the Navy in 2007 and joined the Australian Submarine Corporation (ASC) where he was responsible for establishing the business improvement capability and managing ASC’s operations in WA, which included maintenance and training for the Collins Class fleet.
After a two-year stint as Chief Executive of Defence SA, Andy commenced as the Managing Director of Saab Australia in November 2017.
Helen is responsible for the direction and
scope of the United Workers Union's work in early education. She drives a strong research and
policy base to the work and builds collaborative relationships with other
stakeholders. Helen spearheads advocacy for quality early learning
environments with well-supported and respected professional staff.
In her 20 years at United Workers Union, Helen has worked across the country and been Secretary of the Tasmanian branch and later Assistant National Secretary.
Prior to working for the United Workers Union, Helen spent 20 years in the early education and care sector, developing educational programs and environments for the youngest members of our community.
Helen is also Deputy Chair of HESTA, an industry superannuation fund with over $73 billion under management and a member of the IFM Shareholder Advisory Panel. At HESTA, Helen chairs the Governance and Remuneration Committee and sits on the Investment Committee.
Helen holds a Diploma of Teaching from University of South Australia, is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Superannuation Trustees Directors’ Course and has an Advanced Diploma in Children's Services from TAFE SA.
Ian Horne was the long-serving CEO of Australian Hotels Association (AHA) SA, joining in late 1983 to establish their Hospitality Group Training Scheme. This scheme operated in partnership with AHA (SA) and the Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Union.
In 1982, Ian established the Motor Trade Association Group Training (MTA) Scheme. In 1986, he took over as CEO of AHA (SA), and 12 years later, took on the role of CEO at Motor Trade Association SA and Chair of MTA Group Training Scheme.
Ian returned to AHA (SA) as CEO in 2005 and, having recently retired from the role, completed a 30+ years combined service in the hotel, tourism, and hospitality sector. He is currently serving as a Board Member at the South Australian Tourism Commission and Adelaide Venue Management Corporation, and is Vice Chair of Business Events Adelaide.
Ian has a Graduate Certificate in Management and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from University of Adelaide and has completed an Executive Education Program at Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business in the USA.
John Chapman’s multi-faceted career includes extensive experience at CEO/senior executive level in public, private and not-for-profit sectors.
He was appointed as Industry Advocate in July 2024.
He is an experienced Board Director and is currently the Presiding Member of the Construction Industry Training Board, as well as an independent member of the Department for Energy and Mining Audit and Risk Committee.
John was South Australia’s Small Business Commissioner between 2014 and 2021, following eight years as CEO of the Motor Trade Association of SA. This role included management of an industry-based group training organisation (GTO) employing more than 500 apprentices and trainees and automotive focussed registered training organisation (RTO).
He holds a Masters of Business Administration from University of Adelaide and is a Fellow and Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. He was recognised for service to public administration in South Australia with a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in January 2024.
Leonie Boothby is an experienced Board Director with a strong commercial business and public sector background. Currently CEO at Regional Development Australia, Adelaide, she has over 30 years’ experience in senior management roles.
Leonie's public sector experience includes both State and Local Government. Her private sector experience has been in retail, hospitality, tourism, franchising, and finance across Australia and overseas. Her previous experience includes operating her own strategic management consultancy business, providing a range of consultancy services with a focus on economic and community development.
She has held a range of Director roles, including at a government business enterprise and as Deputy Chair for West Beach Trust (Adelaide Shores). She was formerly an Area Councillor and Deputy Mayor (The Barossa Council) and is currently Board Director at the Women’s & Children's Hospital Foundation.
Leonie has a strong understanding of the challenges and opportunities for addressing skills, education and workforce gaps - and filling current and future jobs across South Australia.
Michael brings over 35 years of domestic, national, and international senior executive leadership and commercial experience across diverse industry sectors and organisational structures. His expertise spans driving innovation, enhancing business performance, governance, and operational excellence, with a focus on technology, education, health, and arts sectors.
An accomplished board director, chair, and executive leader, Michael has successfully led large, medium, and small multi-disciplinary organisations through significant strategic changes and restructures. He has managed cultural transformations while driving efficiency and productivity improvements and provided thought leadership and guidance to CEOs and executive teams.
Currently, Michael serves as Chair of SA Health’s Statewide Clinical Support Services Committee, Chair of the Women’s & Children’s Hospital Foundation, and Board Director of the ACH Group.
His notable previous roles include Chair of Country Arts South Australia, Chair of the Taxi & Chauffeur Review Panel, Chair of the Australian Information Industry Association, Board Director of the Flinders Medical Centre Foundation, and Chair of the Adelaide Festival Centre Foundation.
Michael has also held key senior leadership roles as State Director at Optus SA & NT, Interim CEO of the SA Tertiary Admissions Centre, State Director at Telstra SA & NT, and National Executive General Manager for Dell Computers Australia & NZ.
Robyn Verrall has had a unique career path, following opportunities in both traditionally female and male fields. She began her career as a Registered Nurse, then went into medical equipment sales, and now after marrying a Farmer, is navigating life opportunities and challenges in agriculture in Regional SA.
Robyn worked for 20 years' as an Executive Officer and Director of farming enterprises owned and operated in SA, providing meat products to Australian and international markets under the Bully’s Meats brand. Robyn has experience as a Treasurer on Boards, as well as a Non-Executive Director.
She currently sits on SA Leaders for Gender Equity, Regional Development Leadership Program (Limestone Coast), Rural Women’s Alumni and is an Advisory Board Member for CirPro Australia.
Robyn holds a Bachelor of Nursing, Graduate Certificate of Health (perioperative), Diploma of Agribusiness, Non-Packer Export Certificate, Fellow Governors Leadership Foundation, Finance for Non-financial Directors Certificate and is currently completing her Australian Institute of Company Directors course.
Stuart Gordon has over 30 years’ experience working in the manufacturing industry, including 19 years with the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (AMWU).
With a trade background in Printing and Finishing, Stuart held Director positions in Printing and Media Superannuation funds between 2005 and 2019. He also chaired the Benefits and Insurance Claims Committee at Media Super.
In his current position, Stuart provides advice to business and employees regarding skills and assessment in award classifications, negotiates Enterprise Agreements and advocates in the South Australian Employment Tribunal and Australian Fair Work Commission. In addition, Stuart’s work encompasses promoting and monitoring compliance with workplace law and investigating breaches of the Fair Work Act (2009). Stuart also liaises with Local and Federal Government.
Stuart has held multiple union committee positions. Currently he serves on the AMWU National and State Councils and Conference, as a long-standing member of the Construction Portable Long Service Board.