Kathryn Anderson draws on thirty years of public sector experience to help people and organisations work better and deliver greater impact through her leadership facilitation and coaching, and her consultancy work.

Kathryn’s public sector career involved policy development, program management and corporate roles, primarily in Queensland and Victoria. Her senior executive experience included Deputy Secretary roles in the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services, and most recently the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning.

Kathryn’s skills in strategy, organisational development, transformation and driving change are underpinned by her strong commitment to inclusion. Her ability to help organisations transition to contemporary and innovative ways of working, while maintaining and strengthening their culture makes Kathryn a sought after and trusted advisor. She is a skilled facilitator with experience working with Boards, executive teams and management and staff groups to work through strategic challenges and strengthen high performance.

Kathryn draws on these skills and her experience when providing consultancy services with Cube Group and also when undertaking independent work, such as facilitating Executive Learning Groups as part of the Jeff Whalan Learning Group.

Having informally coached and mentored staff for many years, Kathryn became formally certified as a coach with the Institute of Executive Coaching and Leadership in 2019. She works with people to unlock potential and build professional skills and results. She is energetic and respectful, bringing insights based on deep strategy and leadership experience.

Kathryn is co-director of the Australia and New Zealand School of Government’s (ANZSOG) Deputies Leadership Program, designed to support the successful transition of senior executives to Deputy level and equip participants with tools to make them more effective in their role.

Kathryn is Deputy Chair of Whitelion Youth, a national NGO supporting highly vulnerable young people to build positive connections and pathways to work. She is also a Fellow of the Institute for Public Administration Australia (Victoria) and was named one of the Top 50 Public Sector Women in Victoria in 2019.

Kathryn holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Graduate Certificate in Business (Communications) and has qualifications from the Institute of Executive Coaching and Leadership and the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Aurora Andruska works with people and organisations to help them improve performance and productivity. She does this through the provision of tailored workshops, coaching/mentoring and consultancy services. Aurora also facilitates Executive Learning Groups as part of the Jeff Whalan Learning Group.

Aurora provides services to a range of Australian Commonwealth and State/Territory Governments, and not-for-profit organisations. Her focus is on working with people to assist them achieve their potential, and to have greater satisfaction, empowerment and engagement in what they do. Aurora is particularly experienced at helping people to identify their strengths and areas for development and using this information to position themselves for future opportunities, as well as preparing for selection processes.

Aurora spent the last 20 years of her public service career in a range of senior executive roles. Until May 2014 she was the CEO of the Australian Sports Antidoping Authority, leading it through the largest sports doping scandal in Australia's sporting history. Aurora's earlier senior appointments include Deputy CEO of Centrelink and a number of senior roles in the Commonwealth Department of Education.

Aurora’s notable achievements include developing and implementing organisational renewal/cultural change strategies to enable organisations to perform at their best. At Centrelink, Aurora established strong collaborative working relationships across the Australian Public Service that strengthened the organisation’s ability to influence the way social security and other policy initiatives were implemented.

Throughout her public service career Aurora supported, mentored and coached many people, assisting them with difficult workplace issues. She has a reputation of creating strong organisations with positive workplace cultures. Aurora now applies her considerable experience in this area to the coaching, facilitation and consulting work she undertakes.

In the 2006 Australia Day Honours list Aurora was awarded the Public Service Medal for outstanding public service in the development and implementation of a new national framework for vocational education and training in Australia.

Aurora has a Bachelor of Science and a Graduate Diploma in Computing Studies. She also has qualifications from the Institute of Executive Coaching and Leadership.

Matt is a former Deputy Secretary, with over 20 years’ experience as a senior executive in multiple Commonwealth Public Service portfolios. He has led operational, program, regulatory, policy, corporate and assurance leadership teams and is passionate about developing and empowering leaders.

His depth of experience and commitment to developing the public sector and its leaders has led to him being appointed to the inaugural Australian Public Service Academy Faculty, where he helps guide and develop Implementation and Services craft capabilities, and hosts and participates in panels.

Matt has a great reputation for building the confidence and skills of leaders to make operational risk decisions, communicate risk, engage their workforces, and manage crises. His operational leadership experience includes leading the service delivery network for Services Australia and the Indigenous Affairs regional network, overseeing Australia’s Antarctic and National Parks Divisions and leading immigration detention, compliance, removal and transfer operations during a period of unprecedented levels of boat arrivals.

Matt’s extensive program and regulatory experience stems from having led the roll-out of the Home Insulation Safety Program and the implementation of energy efficiency grant programs. He headed Australia’s environment protection regulatory functions and is a former Assistant Commissioner of Taxation. Matt has also overseen policy development and portfolio budget submissions in agriculture, environment, immigration, and taxation portfolios.

Matt has held Chief Operating Officer and Chief Information Officer positions, as well as senior executive positions focused on agency funding. He has deep audit experience, having overseen the performance audit program at the Australian National Audit Office. This broad experience and genuine care for people helps him relate to leaders in a wide variety of roles and understand the demands placed on them.

As a people person, Matt is a firm believer in strength-based leadership. His approach to facilitating and mentoring is to help leaders understand who they are as a person and the context they are operating in, and help them navigate their way by drawing on their values and skills, and the experience of others.

Matt is a Certified Practising Accountant with fellow status, an Australian Institute of Company Directors graduate and a winner of the Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand Leadership in Government ‘Outstanding Contribution to Public Administration’ Award. He has a Master of Business Administration and undergraduate degrees in Economics and Science.

Matt now consults across government. He enjoys spending time with his family, mountain biking, musicals, and volunteering with homeless programs.

Liza Carroll is a nationally recognised leader with a passion for leadership, strategy and organisational transformation. Liza is highly experienced in working with senior executive leadership teams and individual senior executive leaders on organisational change and establishing high performing teams.

Liza has a deep commitment to public sector capability, capacity and performance in all areas including through effective partnerships. In her leadership roles across the state and federal government Liza has driven strategy and policy reform as well as complex organisational and operational change.

Liza has worked in the most senior positions in Government for over 20 years. Most recently Liza was the Director-General, Housing and Public Works in the Queensland Government for over five years until October 2020. In this role, Liza had responsibility for a very diverse department which included housing and homelessness, sport, building policy, whole of government assets and whole of government digital technology policy and services. The department had over 5000 staff and a large capital and operating budget. Liza drove the Housing and Homelessness 10 year Strategy and implementation and the also drove reforms in building policy.

Liza left this role to join Nous Group Consulting as a Principle. Whilst at Nous, Liza worked extensively with senior government executives on strategy, organisational change and delivery reforms.

Prior to joining the Queensland government, Liza was the Associate Secretary, Indigenous Affairs, in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (PM&C). In this role Liza established the new Central Agency Indigenous Affairs portfolio which amalgamated operations from eight different departments. This role required complex organisational change processes to successfully establish and operate the new super-portfolio.

Liza also spent the three and a half years as Deputy Secretary, in the former Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs. She led housing, homelessness, families, women and children policy and operations. Liza worked closely with the state and territory governments and the community sector to achieve policy reform and delivery enhancements in particular around domestic and family violence and the protection of children.

Immediately prior to taking up the position as Deputy Secretary, Liza led the PM&C whole of government Blueprint for the Reform of Australian Government Administration for which she was a awarded a Public Sector medal. Prior to this, Liza worked in both PM&C and FaHCSIA on paid parental leave, housing, family and early childhood policy and the social support systems for pensioners, carers and people with a disability.

More recently, Liza is undertaking independent work including facilitating Executive Learning Groups as part of the Jeff Whalan Learning Group.

Following a career in the private and public sector over 35 years, Michelle established a portfolio career providing executive coaching services in Australia and overseas. She also facilitates Executive Learning Groups as part of the Jeff Whalan Learning Group.

Michelle's public sector career of nearly 30 years comprised service delivery, program management, policy and corporate roles in the Commonwealth government, based in Canberra and Victoria. Fifteen of those years in the Australian Public Service (APS) were spent in the Senior Executive Service (SES) with the last six years as an SES Band 2 officer.

With a Singaporean Chinese mother and English father, Michelle is passionate about inclusion and diversity. Her early working life also forged a commitment to working with First Nations Australians. In her role as Secretary to the Company Secretary of Applied Ecology Pty Ltd, she understood the importance of building successful enterprises such as the Wiluna WA Emu Farm and the Edwards River QLD Crocodile Farm. She then worked as an Office Manager for a Government Relations consultancy and honed her accounting, administrative and stakeholder relationship skills.

Michelle has managed large teams of up to 4,500 people with 25 direct reports working across Australia; she has co-chaired a Taskforce to implement extensive Machinery of Government changes; and written significant policy and position papers on welfare reform and service delivery reform.

While working as a Group Manager (SES Band 2), Michelle was a member of an Executive Learning Group. As a result, she appreciates the need for senior leaders to 'get off the dance floor and onto the balcony', finding balance and equanimity to perform effectively and with humanity in demanding roles.

Michelle established and supported a range of employee networks while in the APS, focussing on First Nations Australians, women, people with differing ability, DV victims/survivors and the LGBTIQ+ community. She is passionate about managing people well to create and nurture high performing teams, with significant experience in developing and implementing creative people solutions to enhance employee engagement.

Her coaching is driven by compassion, humanity, empathy, equity and respect. She managed large virtual teams in service delivery networks and is a former Disability/Diversity Champion in two large Commonwealth departments. She has a deep understanding of issues such as wellbeing and psychological safety in the workplace, employee engagement, talent management, diversity, recruitment and leadership development.

With a Bachelor of Arts and a Graduate Diploma in Administration, Michelle has been a keen student and practitioner of public administration over four decades. She holds a Level 3 certification with the Institute of Executive Coaching and Leadership. Her global coaching engagements include CEO and C-suite executives in the private and not-for-profit sectors, and SES and senior officers at both federal and state level. Michelle is accredited to run the GLWS (Global Leadership Wellbeing Survey), and has been an accredited Mental Health First Aider and a Practitioner FOS (Fearless Organisation Scan).

Tina Daisley is a culture and change professional who works with organisations and individuals to build healthy, high-performing teams. A highly-regarded Facilitator, Organisational Consultant, Neuro Change Master Trainer and accredited Executive Coach, Tina works mainly with teams wanting to build sustainable team practices and organisational resilience while delivering excellent outcomes in environments of change. She also facilitates a number of Executive Learning Groups as part of the Jeff Whalan Learning Group. Tina Daisley brings her 20+ years’ experience in the public sector and senior roles to anchor her bold, optimistic facilitation and coaching practice. Her approach is founded in concepts from positive psychology, brain and mind science and a commitment to keeping things simple and practical. Prior to founding her facilitation business in 2018, Tina spent two decades in the public service, working in small and large organisations, mainly in areas of service delivery, program management and organisational capability. Previous roles included:

• General Manager (SESB2) People and Culture at the National Disability Insurance Agency;
• Branch Manager People Services, and Branch Manager People Capability in the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations;
• Ten years in service delivery, executive coordination and leadership roles in Centrelink; and
• Director Learning and Development in ComSuper.

Through all these roles there was a common thread of people focused capability building and a commitment to building cultures where teams could be at their best, shaping roles to people and understanding the value of relationships, honest conversations, trusting environments and space for people to experiment and take risks. Tina has been successfully supporting her clients to apply evidence based systems and theories in a simple way through her unique ‘Balanced Leadership framework’. The framework aligns purpose, connections, and boundaries to underpin change management, communication practices and capability building for leaders and teams. As a member of the Jeff Whalan Learning Groups throughout her career, Tina is passionate about the benefits of leaders having an opportunity to remove themselves from the busyness of life and work, and grow deeper insights about their impact potential, understanding the craft of leadership and really engaging with their role in developing healthy organisational culture.

Jo is a recognised leader and skilled facilitator of groups and organisational processes. Her commitment to fairness, equality of access and opportunity, finding one’s strengths, becoming aware and the emergence of wisdom within self and others inform her work. Values and experience shape how we are in the world and a lack of awareness of these driving forces often hinders personal and organisational development. Her approach is collaborative, sensitive and direct as she supports clients to explore and consider new learning or options. Jo utilises her skills and experience when facilitating Executive Learning Groups as part of the Jeff Whalan Learning Group.

Jo has worked as a senior public servant, academic, social worker and trainer. Her professional undergraduate and postgraduate training was at Sydney University where she was a postgraduate University Medallist. Jo’s first career as a social worker included work in immigration, health, child welfare, university counselling and community work. Her academic work includes teaching at Sydney and New South Wales Universities. She co-founded the University of Newcastle Social Work Department where she was a Senior Lecturer and Head of Department. Jo then spent ten years in the Commonwealth Public Service. As a senior executive in Centrelink and the Department of Human Services, her drive, commitment and wisdom had a major impact in service delivery and policy development in a range of service areas including disability, rural servicing, Indigenous servicing and service delivery policy.

In 2012 Jo established her own small business as a consultant, coach/mentor and facilitator of Corporate Based Mindfulness Training. Throughout her career Jo has been involved in consulting, teaching, mentoring and coaching. She has supported the development of non- government organisations, training workers in communication, interpersonal, group and other professional skills, developing productive teams, and facilitating individuals and organisations to achieve their goals.

As part of her commitment to excellence and lifelong learning Jo has completed numerous adult education and professional courses and her work is a synthesis of a number of influences.

Jo lives on a rural property, raises alpacas for their fleece and is an active member of her community, volunteering on the Rural Fire Brigade, the Michelago Regional Community Association, Landcare and the Southern Harvest Association.

Elizabeth is a recognised leader, focussing on improving organisational performance by developing capability and supporting professional and personal growth. Her approach is to listen to the wisdom of others and support them to chart their career journeys. Elizabeth is a recognised mentor. She also facilitates Executive Learning Groups as part of the Jeff Whalan Group. Elizabeth recently retired as a senior public servant within the Australian Public Service, having held senior roles in the Attorney-General’s Department, the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources. Elizabeth also worked at a senior level in the ACT Public Service and the Northern Territory Public Service. She trained initially as a lawyer and practiced in New South Wales and Fiji before moving into public sector policy roles. Elizabeth’s most significant achievements include the passage and implementation of the ACT Human Rights Act, the first comprehensive domestic implementation of international human rights in Australia, as well as the introduction of the first marriage equality legislation in Australia. She was also responsible for the Operations and Security of Australia’s hosting of the G20 in 2014, the largest and most complex international forum ever held in Australia. Most recently Elizabeth has focussed on the development of Australia’s digital economy and the support necessary to underpin public confidence in new technologies. Throughout her public service career, Elizabeth’s approach has been to identify and support the development of talent in others. She was a founding member of the APS Talent Council in 2016 and served on the Council until her retirement, giving her a deep understanding of capabilities and challenges across the APS Senior Executive cohort and strategies to support those who are committed to growth. Elizabeth was also a Councillor and Board member of the Institute of Public Administration ACT and was heavily involved in the development and delivery of the Institute’s capability program. Elizabeth holds degrees in Economics and Law and a Masters in Law. She also completed the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School in 2012. She is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a fellow of the Institute of Public Administration. In 2017 Australia Day Honours List Elizabeth was awarded the Public Service Medal for outstanding leadership in the Australian Public Service. Elizabeth retired to the coast and spends her time walking, swimming, reading and practising yoga.

Robyn Kruk is a highly experienced former Chief Executive and Secretary who currently holds various statutory and board positions at state, national and international level. Robyn also facilitates Executive Learning Groups as part of the Jeff Whalan Learning Group.

Robyn works with Ministers, Chief Executives and their leadership teams in a wide range of policy, regulatory and service delivery agencies in the Australian and State/Territory Governments. She also holds various advisory roles in the non-government sector and works in a voluntary capacity in the mental health sector to help develop leadership and advocacy skills.

Robyn has a long history of driving policy, organisational and operational reforms in complex and politically sensitive areas. She has a strong commitment to public service and capacity building across the sector and the development of effective partnerships at the community level.

Robyn is an active participant in health and environmental governance reforms in China and the USA. She is one of the International Chief Advisors to the China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development. She is also an independent assessor for the Dubai Smart Government Awards and Chair Emerita and member of the Reforming States Group in the USA on health reform. She is currently Chair, Board Director or member on international, national and state statutory and non-government entities in healthcare, mental health, food standards/safety and disability. She is currently Chair of the Australian Eating Disorders Research and Translation Centre and a former member of the National Disability Insurance Agency Board and Principal Member of the Independent Advisory Council to the NDIS.

Until 2013, Robyn was the inaugural Chief Executive and Commissioner of the National Mental Health Commission and established the Commission to drive mental health reform initiatives with state and national jurisdictional agencies in partnership with people with lived experience. Robyn’s earlier appointments included Secretary of the Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts. At the state level, Robyn’s earlier senior executive appointments included Director General of NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet, Director General of NSW Health and NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service. Robyn also led the NSW Public Sector Management Office in addition to her roles as Deputy of The Cabinet Office and NSW Premier’s Department.

Robyn was appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia in 2005 for her services in public administration in the areas of executive government, commonwealth/state relations and in the strategic management of health services, natural resources and environment. In 2018 she was appointed as an Officer of the Order of Australia for her work in mental health reform, environmental protection and food standards.

Robyn is an active mentor and coach at both the professional and personal level. She is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Public Administration and former Board member and now Fellow of the ANZSOG. Robyn has a Bachelor of Science (Hons) majoring in psychology, Masters in Administration and completed the Harvard Advanced Management Program.

Michael Manthorpe is a career public servant who recently retired as Commonwealth Ombudsman. He is now building a portfolio career which includes facilitating Executive Learning Groups as part of the Jeff Whalan Learning Group. Michael's leadership practice is characterised by collaboration and curiosity, looking for ways to achieve results by enabling people to be the best they can be. Michael believes the best way to lead is to enable teams to achieve and shine, rather than focusing on individual glory.

As Ombudsman, Michael oversaw the administrative actions of, and complaints about, almost the entirety of the Australian Public Service, law enforcement agencies, Australia Post and various other entities. He was also the Defence Force Ombudsman, Immigration Ombudsman and the ACT Ombudsman. As the Chief Executive Officer Michael was responsible for an office of 300 staff and also worked actively with New Zealand and other counterparts to build the capacity of fragile Ombudsman offices in the Pacific. He protected and advanced the interests of people in their dealings with the system, many of whom are vulnerable - prisoners, refugees, survivors of abuse, minority groups - but in a way that sought to be constructive, respectful and influential with the agencies he oversaw.

Michael grew up in country Queensland and joined the Australian Public Service as a base grade clerk in 1984. In the subsequent decades he worked on reforms spanning workplace relations, the labour market, early childhood education, school building, and immigration. During this time Michael led major organisational reforms, including the bringing together of Customs and Immigration functions to form a new department in 2014. Michael also accrued extensive experience of and insight into dealing with the Parliament and Ministers, with all the attendant pressures and sensitivities. In 2010 Michael received the Public Service Medal for leading the Government’s response to the insolvency of ABC Learning Childcare, which was then Australia’s largest childcare operator. After 24 years as a senior executive, eight of which were at the Deputy Secretary level, Michael was appointed as Ombudsman in 2017.

Michael is passionate about the importance of integrity in public administration and getting things done in a way that brings colleagues and stakeholders on the journey: doing things with people, rather than doing things to people. Over the years he has mentored, coached and provided advice to numerous colleagues at all levels. As a former member of a Jeff Whalan Learning Group, Michael brings valuable experience to the role of facilitating the peer learning of others in this unique setting.

Michael is currently Deputy President and a Board member of the ACT Branch of the Institute of Public Administration Australia. He is also a Fellow of the Institute.

Cheryl-anne has a depth of experience in national security, central agency and social policy across the Commonwealth. Throughout her career she has specialised in working within organisations to build resilience, in both people and process, to ensure a strong people culture and the organisation’s longevity.

Cheryl-anne is passionate about people centric management and ensuring that leaders and managers understand their accountability to the present and the future of their organisation, including growing their staff to succeed them in time.

Following a successful career in banking and finance, Cheryl-anne joined the public service at the base level in search of a change. During her subsequent public service career spanning over 30 years, Cheryl-anne worked at all levels in local, State and Canberra offices, As such she has gained a unique personal experience and view of the breadth and depth of the Australian Public Service.

Most recently Cheryl-anne was Deputy Secretary Immigration and Settlement Services and Chief Operating Officer of the Department of Home Affairs. Within that Department, the Australian Border Force, Departments of Finance and Human Services and Centrelink, Cheryl-anne spent seventeen years in the Senior Executive Service managing a broad range of disciplines such as policy, governance, corporate, program, capability development, service delivery and operational delivery, including many high-profile programs and those that draw public scrutiny.

Throughout her career Cheryl-anne has coached and mentored public servants and private sector staff to improve their performance and to reach their potential as leaders and managers. She encourages and embraces a continual learning philosophy to ensure others are prepared for both the challenges they may face, and the opportunities they can optimise. Cheryl-anne now applies her significant understanding of the public sector, and her leadership experience, in facilitating Executive Learning Groups as part of the Jeff Whalan Learning Group.

Cheryl-anne holds a Master of Public Administration, is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and is a Councillor of the Institute of Public Administration Australia (IPAA ACT). Cheryl-anne is also formally certified as a coach with the Institute of Executive Coaching and Leadership.

Drawing on nearly twenty years’ experience as a senior executive in the Commonwealth Public Service including in regional network roles, Daniel has a deep understanding of workplace culture, settings and context.

Daniel has a strong record of achievement including senior leadership roles in education and training, asset sales and corporatisation, employment, Indigenous policy and programmes, youth affairs, regional economic policy and transport. Having also worked at a senior leadership level in a large, devolved regional network, he has a particularly strong understanding of the challenges of regional roles.

He is an experienced senior workplace/executive coach and facilitator, focussed on building leadership capability and enabling people to achieve success in the workplace. Daniel has always been a strong believer that the best results can be achieved through a positive focus on empowering people and has coached senior executives, executive officers and other staff across the Australian public, private and not-for-profit sectors. He has also coached people to deal with complex staff management issues and to resolve team conflict. He specialises in remote or distance coaching and can provide this service to both individuals and teams.

For Daniel, coaching is a collaboration which focusses on assisting people to identify and fulfil their potential at work.

He has designed and facilitated strategic planning workshops, business planning sessions, learning circles, team building workshops and stakeholder consultations across a number of organisations. He has a positive, conversational style and a good track record of creating the opportunity for genuine dialogue.

Daniel has been a facilitator of Executive Learning Groups for many years and is a great advocate of the power of senior leaders being able to improve their individual performance and learn to resolve their problems in a supportive and trusting environment. Through Learning Groups, Daniel has observed members being effectively supported to improve individual and organisational performance, better connect across organisations, exchange ideas and benefit from peer learning.

Daniel is a Certified Organisational Coach with the Institute of Executive Coaching and Leadership and a member of the International Coach Federation. He holds a Graduate Diploma in Applied Economics and a Bachelor of Arts (Education and Communication).

Sandra Parker is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Jeff Whalan Learning Group. She works with CEOs and senior executives from the Commonwealth, States and Territories as well as New Zealand to help them to improve their performance by facilitating Executive Learning Groups and providing executive coaching and mentoring.

Sandra is a former CEO and Deputy Secretary with over twenty years of experience in supporting public sector leaders and their teams to deliver policy, legislation, regulation and program reforms underpinned by sound governance.

Until 2023 she was the CEO of the Fair Work Ombudsman, the independent workplace regulator of two million Australian workplaces, leading her team through major reforms of the agency’s approach to education, compliance and enforcement resulting in significant improvements to performance.

Earlier senior executive appointments included Deputy Secretary roles in Commonwealth employment and workplace relations policy and programs. She was CEO of the Australian Safety and Compensation Council, a Commissioner on the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission and held senior executive roles in women’s policy and vocational education and training.

Sandra was awarded a Public Service Medal in 2018 for outstanding public service in workplace relations and work health and safety. Sandra is passionate about supporting senior executives to excel as leaders and achieve outcomes that will build stronger and more inclusive communities. Throughout her career, she has mentored and coached many people, assisting them with professionally and personally challenging workplace issues.

Sandra is an IECL qualified coach and has greatly benefited from the guidance of coaches and mentors throughout her career. She is a recent member of the ANZSOG Alumni Council, a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a fellow of the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. She also holds a Bachelor of Education.

Mentor-in-Residence
Finn Pratt is the mentor-in-residence for our Maintaining Peak Performance Group for Secretaries and Chief Executives.

Finn Pratt is a former Commonwealth public servant with 36 years’ experience, including 12 years at Secretary level. Since retiring in October 2019, Finn has had a broad portfolio of Board positions, and government relations advising and mentoring roles.

Finn works with not for profit organisations, private sector businesses (including two IT companies), government departments and agencies, and individual leaders. He has a strong interest in leadership and management, personal development and government affairs.

His former executive level positions included CEO of Centrelink (2008) and as Secretary for the Departments of: Human Services (2009-11), Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (2011-13), Social Services (2013-17), and Environment and Energy (2017-19). Finn served as Chair of the Australia New Zealand School of Government (ANZSOG) from 2015-17, on the Board of Jawun from 2015-19 and as the inaugural Chair of the Secretaries Talent Council from 2016-19.

Finn was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2015 for his work on the National Disability Insurance Scheme and was awarded a Public Service Medal in 2008 for reforms to public employment services and workplace relations.

Currently, Finn is on the Boards of Thrive Refugee Enterprises and the Social Research Centre. He works with Datacom, TBF Consulting, Jawun and Work Safe ACT in advisory capacities and the Jeff Whalan Learning Group as Mentor-in-Residence.

Finn has a Bachelor of Arts from ANU.

Darren Stephenson is a leadership development professional who works with the public sector and individual executives to help improve their performance. He also facilitates a number of Learning Groups as part of the Jeff Whalan Learning Group. Darren spent 14 years in the Commonwealth public sector before establishing his own consultancy service in early 2009. He has substantial experience in building high performing senior teams, leadership development and executive coaching. He is the architect of the highly regarded ‘United Leadership Program’ that builds high performing leadership teams in the public sector by enhancing their alignment towards the work priorities through enhanced trust, strengths, self-awareness and professional relationships. As a Learning Group facilitator, Darren is committed to supporting each individual’s leadership development and career from a wholistic perspective. He facilitates with an open style, creating an engaging environment that is outcome focused. Client feedback examples: 'We are extremely grateful for the high quality of management and leadership consultancy services Darren Stephenson has delivered over the duration of the Royal Commission. His professional services have been instrumental in shaping our workplace culture, supporting our senior executive team and developing our leadership.' (Royal Commission (Child Abuse) General Manager, Operations) 'Darren has a genuine commitment to supporting success of individuals, their team and the organisation. As a result of the work we’ve done together, me and my team have embraced a positive culture, which it values and protects, allowing us to achieve great results.' (Senior Executive, NSW Public Service) 'Darren’s coaching was integral to me winning promotion, and his subsequent guidance proved extremely useful as I transitioned into the more senior role. Since then, Darren’s coaching and support has proven invaluable, especially as I have tried to navigate a range of challenges. I have no doubt that my leadership and the work of my team benefitted from Darren’s advice throughout this time. I hope that I might be lucky enough to work with him again at some point in my future career.' (Senior Executive, Attorney General’s Department) Darren has completed post-graduate studies in Human Resource Management, is a Certified Professional (CAHRI) member of the Human Resource Institute and a member of the Sydney University Coaching and Mentoring Association.

Lee Walton has over fifteen years’ experience in senior executive roles in the Australian Public Service. Previously he held many other professional positions in the public and private sectors in Australia and the UK. His diverse experience together with his strong relationship and people management skills equips him to advise on the broad range of challenges faced by executives. Lee has deep experience in corporate, ICT, program delivery, service delivery and engineering roles.

Lee retired from his public service career in early 2020 to establish his consulting business focusing on senior executive coaching and public service governance. Lee is passionate to enable leaders to realise their full potential. As a Jeff Whalan Learning Group facilitator and people person, he creates a relaxed and safe environment to allow others to explore some of the complex challenges that they face.

Lee has recently moved to Darwin to work with remote indigenous and non-indigenous communities, using his skills and management experience to address some of the significant challenges faced by those who live far away from the major population centres.

Most of Lee’s career was in the Intelligence, National Security and Law Enforcement sectors. He steadily progressed from a junior engineer to his final public service role as the Chief Operating Officer of the Office of National Intelligence. Lee was First Assistant Secretary Intelligence Policy in the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet and Executive Director Technology and Innovation at the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission. As the Chief Information Officer at CrimTrac he provided critical real time information services to Australia’s police agencies and, in doing so, gained valuable experience working with state and territory governments. He was instrumental in rebuilding the agency’s relationship with the police.

As the Australian Signals Directorate’s senior executive responsible for its technology, including advanced computing, communications and highly classified systems, he led much of the organisation’s technical response to 9/11 attacks in the USA.

Lee is a Chartered Engineer, a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and an accredited Executive Coach. He has formal qualifications in project management and public service procurement. Lee is married with four adult children and ten grandchildren.

Chris Wardlaw has wide and deep experience in leading high performance in organisations and reform agenda across the education and sporting domains. He is currently the Chairperson of the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority and is Deputy Chair of the Australian Institute of Teaching and School Leadership. Having been a highly regarded guest speaker for Jeff Whalan Learning Group for several years, he now also facilitates Executive Learning Groups.

Chris began his teaching career as an Economics and Economic History tutor at Monash University and later taught at Victorian Government secondary schools. He then moved into management roles in the Department of Education, initially in regional positions and then in central office. Chris held key roles in many leading edge Victorian education reforms, most recently serving as Deputy Secretary, Strategy and Review from 2009 to 2013.

Chris also served as Deputy Secretary for Education in the Hong Kong Government from 2002 to 2008, where he had responsibility for curriculum, assessment and quality assurance for education. During this period he oversaw a comprehensive reform program, which resulted in Hong Kong adopting a modernised curriculum and assessment system. These changes made a major contribution to Hong Kong’s development and have further improved its high standing in a range of international learning assessments.

Chris simultaneously engaged in a sporting career as an Olympian in the 10,000 metres and marathon events at the 1976 and 1980 Olympic Games. Since then he has established an impressive record as an elite sports coach. Chris was a career long coach to highly successful marathoners Steve Moneghetti and Kerryn McCann and middle distance runner Craig Mottram.

Chris was the Head Coach of the Australian Track and Field Team at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, the most successful team since the halcyon days of 1968. He is a Director on the Board of Athletics Australia since 2015.

This exemplary record of leadership in education and international sport gives Chris a unique combination of experience and insight to leadership and management across jurisdictions and in different reform contexts. Chris was awarded the Public Service Medal in 2013 and made a Fellow of Monash University in 2014. He holds a Bachelor of Economics (Hons) and a Diploma of Education.

Jeff Whalan is the Principal of Jeff Whalan Learning Group. He works with Chief Executive Officers (CEO), senior executives, and organisations to help them improve their performance and facilitates Executive Learning Groups at the Secretary/CEO level.

Jeff works with senior executives in a wide range of Australian Commonwealth and State/Territory Government organisations as well as those in New Zealand. In doing so he draws on his extensive background, including almost 20 years as a senior executive in the public sector.

Until September 2008 Jeff was the CEO of Centrelink, the then largest Agency of the Australian Public Service with 27,000 staff and an annual expenditure of over $63 billion. He was appointed as an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2008 for his work as CEO of Centrelink. Jeff’s earlier senior executive appointments included CEO of Medicare Australia and Deputy Secretary positions in the Prime Minister’s Department, the Department of Defence and the Department of Family and Community Services. He was also a senior executive in the Queensland Department of Family Services.

Since establishing Jeff Whalan Learning Group in 2009 Jeff has pursued his goal of enhancing public sector leadership. Jeff brings together small groups of senior executives at similar levels into a peer learning environment. The Groups provide members with a network of peers who can help them to solve complex problems, provide a different perspective and share current developments in public sector reform and management trends more generally.

Jeff holds a Bachelor of Arts and has qualifications from the Institute of Executive Coaching.