Women in Leadership Program with ACEL

Barbara is the CEO of ACEL with extensive experience in education and a distinguished career spanning executive leadership roles across Australia’s education and not-for-profit sectors. Her expertise lies in the research, design, and delivery of professional learning initiatives, with a strong focus on leadership development closely aligned to ACEL's vision of fostering a vibrant and collaborative learning environment.
In her role, Barbara places the highest value on ACEL’s unique ability to connect and engage with all members of the education community. She is dedicated to championing opportunities for educators to collaborate, exchange innovative ideas, and collectively elevate the quality of education.
An author, Barbara’s co-authored book Step In, Step Up: Empowering women for the school leadership journey, received a silver medal in the international 2020 IBPA Benjamin Franklin Awards. Her national research report: Insights: Environmental Scan Principal Preparation Programs contributed to five major national recommendations for preparing future school leaders.
Barbara has been recognised for her contributions to leadership and professional learning. She was the inaugural recipient of the Women of Achievement Award (WA DoE), is an Honorary Fellow of the University of Melbourne Faculty of Education and is an ACEL National Fellow. Her expertise is regularly sought out to contribute in an advisory capacity as a member of numerous university, departmental, school, and professional boards contributing her insights to shape policies and practices.
Her Australian and international projects span emerging, executive, and system leadership programs. Barbara holds a special interest in the intersection of leadership sustainability, wellbeing, and performance, ensuring that leaders at all levels can thrive and drive transformative learning outcomes.