Meet the Committee

Meet the Committee

Sue Russell | Chapter President

Sue Russell has worked in advancement for 20 years across foundation and alumni roles.  Sue has served on the Chapter committee since 2009, numerous Chapter Conference Committees and two International Conference Committees.

Claire Grlj | Vice President / Regionals (Chair)

Claire is a community engagement consultant and has been in the catholic school sector for over 10 years. She has worked in schools across Brisbane, Rockhampton and Toowoomba dioceses. Running businesses, sales teams, large events and marketing campaigns for over 23-years, Claire’s business development experience is extensive. Claire has been a member of Educate Plus since 2016 and has been a member of the Queensland Chapter Committee since 2018.

Ally Walburn | Committee Member/Memberships (Chair)

Ally Walburn is the Director of Community Engagement at Matthew Flinders Anglican College on the Sunshine Coast. She joined the College in 2018 having been the Director of Strategy and Marketing at St Andrew’s Cathedral School in Sydney for five years. Prior to joining the education industry, Ally held various marketing, communications and event management roles in the public and private sector.  

Ben Foley | Committee Member

Ben is Special Counsel Education and Workplace Law. He brings with him a very niche skill set with a strong legal background in addition to 10 years Executive experience at a Queensland GPS school where he managed the School’s Enrolments and Marketing Offices, the School’s International Student Program, Bursary Program as well as the School’s various Associations.

Claire Henkey | Committee Member/Chapter Marketing & Communications (Joint Chair)

As Director of Community Engagement at John Paul College, Claire leads a team of admissions, student services, marketing, content, fundraising, community engagement and Alumni professionals. Claire focuses on improving the College’s engagement programs to build a deeper community connection from first contact with future families to past students and beyond.

David Miles | Treasurer

David has an extensive background in sales and marketing which includes twenty years of experience in the fast-moving consumer goods industry. In a career founded on solid business relationships, he now manages a loyal network of Old Boys and continually provides opportunities for them to remain connected with each other and the wider school community. David is a member of the QLD Educate Plus Committee and currently serves as Treasurer, after previously serving as Secretary. David holds a Bachelor of Business (Marketing) from Queensland University of Technology.

Meg Graham | Secretary

With a background in property and not-for-profit fundraising and governance, Meg joined the team at Clayfield College in 2018, moving into the position of Foundation Manager and Alumni Liaison in January 2021.

Helen Turner | Alumni (Chair)

An experienced Advancement professional, Helen has honed her skills in multiple roles within the education sector. In her current role as Director of Communications and Events, Helen manages the Marketing, Communications, Fundraising, Alumni Relations, Events and Enrolments for St Laurence’s College. Under Helen’s leadership, she and her specialist team work collaboratively to communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders, creating strong community bonds and attaining tangible outcomes for the betterment of the organisation.

Kamyra Laurenson | Committee Member/Tertiary (Chair) Fundraising (Shared)

Kamyra is a career philanthropy and engagement specialist, with passion for connecting people to their purpose to empower education and research success.

Lara Pickering | Committee Member/Fundraising (Chair)

Hi, I’m Lara Pickering. I have 9 years’ experience in educational advancement and am currently the Director of Philanthropy and Stakeholder Engagement at St Margaret’s AGS, where I look after our Foundation, Old Girls’ Association and alumni engagement activities, Professional Women’s Network and oversee P&F fundraising initiatives.

Lindsay Khushal | Committee Member/Partnerships (Chair)

Lindsay Khushal joined St Joseph’s Nudgee College in September 2021 as Foundation Manager, responsible for supporting the Nudgee College Foundation and leading their fundraising activities. She works strategically with the Foundation Board, Principal and Development and Community team on fundraising initiatives supporting the growth of the Building Fund and Jack Ross Bursary. Lindsay has over 20 years’ experience working diversely across the private, not for profit and more recently education sectors. She has experience in philanthropy and fundraising, as well as stakeholder engagement, strategic partnerships, business development and talent acquisition.

Ryan Lind | Committee Member/Marketing and Communications

Ryan started his career in film and television, and through storytelling to achieve business objectives, he unearthed an interest in marketing. After time spent in mobile app development and fast-moving consumer goods companies, Ryan transitioned to education, and now uses his love of storytelling and marketing to give families the confidence they’re making the right choice when choosing a school.

Susan McGinley | Committee Member/Tertiary/Alumni

My name is Susan McGinley and I am an experienced Advancement Professional within the education sector and member of Educate Plus since 2016. Since 2019, I have been the Director of Advancement at The Women’s College within The University of Queensland responsible for marketing & communications, alumnae, donor and stakeholder engagement and philanthropy and fundraising.

Suzie Hancock | Committee Member/Admissions (Joint Chair)

A practiced consultant with over 30 years’ experience in multiple sectors of the education industry. Initially working as a teacher and as a manager of a Registered Training Organisation before transitioning into the tertiary sector and diversifying into international engagement and global partnership administration and policy development. Suzie later transferred into secondary education managing school admissions and enrolments for large, independent private schools in Brisbane. Suzie currently resides on the Sunshine Coast and works as an independent contractor in schools and universities.