Our Team
At the Stronger Smarter Institute we live, breathe, and honour the Stronger Smarter Approach every day and in all that we do, from our homes to our office and training rooms.
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Our Team
We are committed to the Stronger Smarter Approach
The Stronger Smarter Institute honours diversity. This is reflected in the composition of our team and the broad range of experiences and perspectives we bring. We all share a strong commitment to delivering transformational educational outcomes for our First Nations students.
We work hard and support each other to be the best we can be. This ensures we are delivering the best possible training and support to our school communities who are on the ground delivering the Stronger Smarter Approach.
HQ
Shelley MacDonald
PROGRAM OFFICER
Shelley MacDonald was born and raised in Hawkes Bay, New Zealand, and has connections to Ngati Raukawa through her husband and children. She now lives on Yugambeh country on the lands of the Kombumerri peoples on the Gold Coast. Shelley has a doctoral degree in developmental psychology from Otago University and worked for many years at Auckland University on projects in South Auckland. Here she worked with schools, the Ministry of Education and Maori and Pasifika families to examine ways of incorporating cultural and family processes into explanations of teaching, learning and development, and, how to put these knowledges into practice in the classroom. Shelley works at a number of universities across Brisbane and the Gold Coast as a senior researcher and as a casual academic working with pre-service teachers. Shelley joined SSI on the Teachers of STEM Initiative (TOSI) in 2020 where she enjoys working with the inspirational ToSI women on their STEM teaching journey.
Jenalee Purcell
DATA AND ADMIN OFFICER
Jenalee is a proud young woman with Butchulla, Australian South Sea, Goa, Gunggari and Wakka Wakka bloodlines. Born and raised in the South Burnett Queensland region in Wondai and Murgon, Jenalee completed her schooling in Murgon and Brisbane. Jenalee has always been passionate about Aboriginal Education and as a mother of four daughters and a large family, Jenalee will continue to advocate for Aboriginal Education.
Jenalee has been with the Institute for the past four years and completed the Stronger Smarter Leadership Program in Cherbourg, 2017. As our Administration officer, Jenalee is an integral part of the Finance Treasury and Governance team. She is responsible for all program logistics both internally and externally. Jenalee is currently studying her Diploma of Business.
Dr Chris Sarra
CEO
Dr Chris Sarra is a Gurang Gurang / Taribelang Bunda man and is the Institute’s founder and CEO. His career spans more than 30 years in positive education reform for Indigenous students based on the Stronger Smarter Philosophy.
Chris is a highly sought-after advisor on Education, Indigenous policy reform and strategy and is well respected in First Nations communities across Australia. Prior to returning to the role of CEO in 2025, he was the Director General of numerous Queensland Government Departments including the Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships and the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries. Other roles performed by Dr Sarra include a Professor of Education with the University of Canberra and Co-Chair of the Prime Minister’s Indigenous Advisory Committee. Throughout his career he has received numerous honours including NAIDOC Person of the Year 2016, Queenslander of the Year, Australian of the Year finalist, NRL Commissioner. Dr Sarra is also a 2018 New York Marathon finisher.
Eirenei Fa’amoe Taviuni
OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR | EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Eirenei provides administrative support to the Stronger Smarter Institute and executive support to the Stronger Smarter Virtual Secondary School project. Prior to joining the Institute, she worked across federal and state government departments, strengthening her skills in administration and support services. She is committed to strengthening operations and supporting the Institute’s wider vision.
Born in New Zealand and raised in Australia, Eirenei proudly embraces her Samoan heritage and has called Australia home for more than 20 years. Guided by the Stronger Smarter philosophy, she is proud to work for an Institute that supports every individual to be strong in both their identity and education, values cultural identity, demonstrates positive leadership, and fosters respectful relationships.
Paula Jacob
FINANCE MANAGER
Paula is of Scottish and Portuguese heritage who grew up in Brisbane. Due to her father’s work, she spent most of her childhood living in Southeast Asia. She moved back to Brisbane to complete her schooling and later lived in England and Germany in her early twenties. When she returned to Brisbane, she began her career in Accounting.
Paula has more than ten years of experience as an accountant and manager, which has given her a wide range of professional experience.
Her dedication and commitment to quality advice and innovative thinking align with the values of Stronger Smarter.
Service Delivery
Cassie Ryan
SENIOR MANAGER SERVICE DELIVERY
Cassie Ryan is a Kamilaroi woman, a descendant of the Weatherall family. She was born in Dirrandbandi Queensland and grew up in Oakey, Queensland. Cassie has over 10 years experience working for the NSW Department of Education. Prior to joining the Stronger Smarter Institute, she was employed as the Aboriginal Community Liaison Officer in the Lismore area. Cassie has been involved with the Stronger Smarter Institute since 2011 and is committed to improving educational outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Cassie now lives on Bundjalung Country on the North Coast of NSW.
Ken Weatherall
PROGRAM COORDINATOR
Ken is a proud descendant of the Muruwari and Kamilaroi Nations of New South Wales. Ken has been a passionate advocate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education for 17 years working in the NSW Department of Education in many different roles. His most recent position being the Aboriginal Community Liaison Officer (ACLO) for 7 years in the Newcastle region. Ken has also been involved as an active member of the NSW Aboriginal Education Consultative Group (AECG) at the Local, Regional and State levels for more than 10 years. Ken did his foundation Stronger Smarter Leadership Program in 2009 and has been one of our Leadership Program Facilitators since he joined the Institute in 2016.
Have been involved with the Stronger Smarter Institute since completing the leadership program in 2009 and now employed as a Program Facilitator and Coordinator since 2016.
Research & Impact
Cathy Jackson
LEAD IMPACT OFFICER
Cathy Jackson has over 20 years experience in the areas of curriculum design, evaluation and impact, and accreditation of educational programs. Before joining the Stronger Smarter Institute, she worked in the Teaching and Learning area of the Queensland University of Technology, where her experience included developing and implementing curriculum design and assessment policies and processes, communication plans and associated resources. Cathy is a qualified project manager, with extensive experience in managing university-wide projects, including two projects to implement new database systems for the university.
Cathy brings this wide-ranging experience to the Institute together with a passion for Indigenous education research and an in-depth understanding of the Stronger Smarter Approach in schools. Cathy has a Masters degree in Science and postgraduate qualifications in management and public relations.
Jana Andrade
RESEARCH AND DATABASE COORDINATOR
Jana is a Brazilian Statistician with experience in business intelligence, quality control, statistical model development, research support in biostatistics, electoral research, lecturing at university and survey development and subsequent result analysis for all research purposes. She has worked in the private and public sectors (bank, retail and traffic department) with her role varying as required from supporting independent research studies, assessing government operations/programs to improve efficiency and quality control assessment.
Jana has assisted research programs at the University of Sunshine Coast (USC), including helping students with their research (from developing questionnaires to analysing data) and a project with private health insurance to assist the development of future strategies.
At the Stronger Smarter Institute Jana is responsible for data collection and analysis including the HERBI survey and Stronger Smarter alumni CENSUS and database, preparing reports and presentations, providing input to grant proposals, and contributing to product development and projects. She brings with her a high level of analytical, organisational and planning skills with good attention to detail.
Teachers of STEM Initiative - ToSI
Ashleigh Robinson
ToSI PROJECT OFFICER
Ash is a proud Barkindji woman with deep connections to her community, land, and culture. She is an experienced educator and leader in Aboriginal education, with a strong commitment to empowering Aboriginal communities through culturally responsive teaching, program development, and stakeholder engagement. With extensive experience in education, cultural engagement, and program coordination, she has successfully led initiatives that promote equity, inclusion, and meaningful opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Passionate about strengthening cultural identity and educational outcomes, Ash actively contributes to her community while advocating for systemic change in Indigenous education and engagement.
Kylie Greatbatch
ToSI Mentor
Kylie Greatbatch a proud Wirdajuri woman, from Orange NSW, boasts a rich background spanning 14 years in education as both a classroom teacher and Cultural Coordinator. During this time, she created many opportunities for students to strengthen their identities and find a sense of belonging on Country through the Connections Program.
Kylie’s unwavering dedication has cultivated strong bonds of trust within the local community and among Elders, over many years. Her drive and passion are to create opportunities for students and the community to explore their cultural identities through connecting to country. Providing culturally safe environments where students and communities’ voices can be loud and proud.
For the past 20 years, Kylie has actively contributed to the Aboriginal Education Consultative Group (AECG) and the Orange Land Council (OLAC), solidifying her commitment to Indigenous empowerment and advocacy.
Liz Sinnott
ToSI Mentor
Liz is a proud Yuin and Wailwan (saltwater/freshwater) woman with her country being on the south coast and western areas of New South Wales.
As a Mentor for the Stronger Smarter Institute’s Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Indigenous Knowledges (SSISTEMIK) program since 2023, Liz supports women undergoing study at universities across Australia in the areas of STEM and more specifically Indigenous Knowledges.
Liz came to the Institute with over 30 years of experience and advocacy in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education, is an active member of her local Aboriginal Education Consultative Group (AECG), presented a paper at the World Indigenous Conference on Education in 2008 and is an executive member of National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Principals Association (NATSIPA). This diversity of professional knowledge enriches Liz’s role as a mentor.
Shelley MacDonald
PROGRAM OFFICER
Shelley MacDonald was born and raised in Hawkes Bay, New Zealand, and has connections to Ngati Raukawa through her husband and children. She now lives on Yugambeh country on the lands of the Kombumerri peoples on the Gold Coast. Shelley has a doctoral degree in developmental psychology from Otago University and worked for many years at Auckland University on projects in South Auckland. Here she worked with schools, the Ministry of Education and Maori and Pasifika families to examine ways of incorporating cultural and family processes into explanations of teaching, learning and development, and, how to put these knowledges into practice in the classroom. Shelley works at a number of universities across Brisbane and the Gold Coast as a senior researcher and as a casual academic working with pre-service teachers. Shelley joined SSI on the Teachers of STEM Initiative (TOSI) in 2020 where she enjoys working with the inspirational ToSI women on their STEM teaching journey.