Lifetime Achievement

2024 South Australian Training Awards Lifetime Achievement

Joanne Denley’s distinguished and influential service to the Australian vocational education and training (VET) and skills sector spans 30 years.

In various roles across the Bridgestone organisation in Australia (BSAL) and New Zealand (BSANZ) over 24 years, Joanne has been instrumental in building robust training cultures that transformed productivity, profitability, and brand reputation, as well as staff morale, safety, and retention.

Joanne’s high level professional competence and extensive VET knowledge and experience have benefitted many high-level Boards and Committees on which she has been invited to serve. Her outstanding contribution to the TAFE SA Board as a Director since 2012 and Chair since 2021 helped navigate TAFE SA through challenging times to a purposeful and sustainable future for South Australia’s largest VET provider.

Well-known and respected in the sector as a visionary, proactive, results-driven, and ethical leader with humility, drive, intellect and innate curiosity, Joanne demonstrates the ability to think strategically, critically, and innovatively in all her leadership roles. Employing her exceptional communication and negotiation skills, she has successfully resolved many highly complex and sensitive issues, resulting in positive outcomes for all stakeholders.

Joanne’s VET and skills legacy is tangible and leaves an impact locally, nationally, and internationally.