The TasTAFE Board is appointed by the Minister for Skills and Training.
The TasTAFE Board is responsible for the sustainable and effective governance and growth of TasTAFE, with a primary focus on advancing the objectives of the Strategic and Corporate Plans.
Our Board Directors bring diverse expertise from careers across different industries within Tasmania and beyond. This diversity of knowledge ensures we have the necessary skills and strategic outlook to take us forward into the future and maintain quality leadership and governance over time.
The Board meets monthly and is supported by two committees: Audit and Risk Management Committee; and People, Culture and Remuneration Committee.
Board Directors are appointed by the Minister for a three year term. The CEO is an ex-officio Director.
Meet our Board Directors
Tim Gardner
Chair
Tim has more than 30 years’ experience in business leadership, management and strategic development with a focus on public infrastructure.
After undertaking various government roles early in his career, Tim joined his family’s business, Stornoway, in 1998. Tim led the business as CEO and then Managing Director for 12 years before stepping into the role of Chair. Stornoway provides civil asset services nationally to all levels of government, as well as to a wide range of private sector clients.
Tim has a number of under-graduate and post-graduate business qualifications, as well as being a Graduate of the AICD.
Tim is currently a non-executive director of Hobart International Airport and was Chair of Metro Tasmania Pty Ltd until November 2023.
John Maddock, AM
Board Director
John has extensive governance and senior executive leadership experience in the tertiary and adult education sectors, including serving in Chief Executive Officer positions at Box Hill Institute Group, the Gordon Institute of TAFE and the Centre for Adult Education.
John currently serves as a non-executive director with Adult, Community and Further Education (ACFE) and is Chair Finance and member of its Audit and Risk Committee. He is also Chair of the Melbourne Central Basketball Association Board.
John’s previous governance experience as a non-executive director within the education sector includes Victorian Curriculum & Assessment Authority (VCAA) and its Audit and Risk Committee, VTAC Board of Trustees, Deakin University Council and its Audit Risk Committee. John has also served on the Monash University Facility of Education Board, Innovation and Business Skills Australia (IBSA), Australian Training Products and eCoach Boards and as a member of the Victoria Polytechnic Vice Chancellor’s Advisory Committee at Victoria University. John is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
John was awarded the Australia Sports Medal for volunteer services with the Sydney 2000 Olympics. In 2013, John was made a Member in the General Division of the Order of Australia for significant service to vocational education and training, and to the sport of basketball.
Naomi Walsh
Board Director
Naomi has a strong interest in workforce development, industry engagement and skills for the future with experience in industry sectors employing trainees and apprentices. She believes that industry-relevant skills are critical for students to succeed in their careers.
Naomi has over 30 years’ experience in finance and commercial management roles including 13 years with a private company with operations in construction, manufacturing, tourism and hospitality sectors. In 2014 she was awarded the Telstra Business Women’s Award, Tasmanian Corporate sector recognising her leadership in the Tasmanian construction industry. Naomi’s qualifications include Master of Business, Fellow Chartered Accountant, Graduate Australian Institute of Company Directors, and alumni of the Tasmanian Leaders Program. She is Vice President (Australia) and a board member of Chartered Accountants ANZ.
Naomi is a non-executive director of Launceston Chamber of Commerce and TasNetworks. She is a former director of Motor Accidents Insurance Board (Tas), Tasmanian Development and Resources Board, Mental Health Council of Tasmanian and Commissioner for Tasmania Legal Aid. She is Academic Lead Employability at the University of Tasmania.
Bianca Welsh
Board Director
Bianca is a passionate restaurateur, board director and mental health educator. A business owner from the age of 21, she’s been a part of some of Launceston’s best and most recognised hospitality venues and events. Her roles in human resources have evolved into her creating her own business in mental health education and consulting to workplaces with the aim of creating mentally healthy workplaces.
She has extensive board experience beginning with Cornerstone Youth Services in 2013. She has also sat and chaired Design Tasmania, is a director with Visit Northern Tasmania, the Tourism Industry Council Tasmania and chaired a government advisory committee for skills in the tourism and hospitality industry. With a Behavioural Science degree and an obsession with all things to do with psychology and mental health and wellbeing, Bianca has become a go to spokesperson for how workplaces can be an important part of the prevention and early intervention ecosystem of mental well-being. With lived experience and education in a wide range of mental illnesses, as well as PTSD, trauma, baby loss, racism and more, she loves bringing taboo topics to the table and reducing stigma one conversation at a time.
Bianca has received a number of personal accolades including Young Restaurateur of the Year, Young Professional of the Year, Young Australian of the Year Finalist, Tourism Minister's Young Achiever Award and, more recently, made the list of 40 under 40 Most Influential Asian Australian of the Year. She never rests on her laurels and is continuously learning and educating herself in any way she can.
Lee Whiteley
Board Director
Lee is an organisational leader experienced in providing high level direction and cultural transformation. Lee has held multiple executive positions over a 20-year timeframe working across industry disciplines and international boundaries. These include senior positions with Vestas Wind Systems, the University of Tasmania and the Elphinstone Group. Lee was also the founder and Managing Director of advanced manufacturing company Southern Prospect Pty Ltd.
Lee is motivated by the challenges associated with bringing together the people, organisations and resources required to promote and sustain progress and is energised by positive outcomes. He has successfully built strong partnerships with leading companies, community-based organisations, government agencies and other partners to deliver the required results.
Lee is the Chief Executive Officer of Rural Alive & Well Inc (RAW).
Mel Lukianenko
Board Director
Mel has been working in the ICT industry for nearly 30 years and has held many senior roles including Chief Information Officer roles in banking and utilities industry.
In 2016 she started Ignite Project Services, an ICT strategic advisory and project consultancy business, and is also a co-founder of Disruptive Consulting, focusing on organisational futures and transformations.
She has been a Director of StLukes Health Insurance since 2015 and was appointed to the role of the Chair of the Board in 2021. She is also a Board member of Health Care Software Pty Ltd and Home Base (formerly Colony 47) a social enterprise. Mel has extensive experience in developing and implementing ICT strategies and leading large scale transformational projects, along with a passion for leading and developing people and elevating organisational culture. She is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD), and Grad Cert Business Administration (MBA) and in 2015 attended Oxford University’ ‘CIO Academy program’ through Gartner.
Mel was awarded “Outstanding Contribution by a Women in ICT’ by TASICT for her dedication and commitment to the industry and was previous winner of AIPM Asia Pacific Project of the Year.
Darren Mathewson
Board Director
Darren brings over 30 years of experience in organisational leadership, strategy, policy, advocacy, workforce development, governance, and project management, with expertise across industrial relations, aged care, disability, and health sectors. He has worked locally and nationally for state and national peak bodies, led organisations that deliver social care and coordinated community led campaigns.
Currently, Darren serves as the Chair of the Steering Committee for the DREAM (Dementia Respite, Education And Mentoring) Project, a national initiative focused on enhancing the capability of the aged care workforce to deliver quality dementia respite care. The $8 million project, funded by the Commonwealth, is delivered by the University of Tasmania’s Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre.
Darren has held a variety of leadership and governance roles, including Chair of the St John’s School Board, Board Member of TasCOSS, State Committee member for National Disability Services (NDS), and has been a Ministerial appointment to the local Stronger Communities Taskforce as well as the Australian Industry & Skills Committee.
A graduate of the University of Tasmania, Darren is also actively involved in his local community, coaching football and being a member of the Carlton Park SLSC.