The Executive Committee
All CISWA activities are directed by a voluntary Executive Committee consisting of current/retired staff from a variety of WA Education Providers. The Executive Council meets on a monthly basis.
CISWA President: Celia Cornwell
Celia has over 20 years of experience in international relations in business, government, and higher education, and is a fluent speaker of Standard (Mandarin) Chinese. Celia’s contribution to the CISWA executive team is based on her experience in the development of international higher education opportunities and partnerships for the private, government and university sectors.
Celia has worked in international-focused roles in the WA State Government and at Curtin University from 2001-2017 and Murdoch University from 2018-2023. In the university sector Celia led teams of professional staff in the development of teaching and research partnerships with international partner institutions, working closely with academic colleagues at both the home and partner institution. As Dean International for faculty/college at both Curtin and Murdoch, Celia led teams focused on international student recruitment, student mobility, and a range of collaborations with international partner universities.
With many years of experience in the international higher education sector in Australia and overseas, Celia enjoys sharing her passion, knowledge and experience with others and believes CISWA is a way she can contribute to the continuing development of highly skilled professionals in the international education sector in Western Australia.
CISWA Vice-President: Dr Kevin McKenna
Kevin has had extensive experience in the international education sector with over 30 years at Curtin University. He had various roles in Curtin Business School until in June 2000 he was appointed as the founding Pro Vice-Chancellor at Curtin University of Technology’s Malaysian Campus in Miri, Sarawak.
From 2004 to 2009 he had overall responsibility for all of Curtin’s international operations, as Deputy Vice-Chancellor, International. In 2008 he was responsible for the establishment of Curtin’s Singapore campus. He is now retired, served as CISWA President for many years and is currently a Vice-President of CISWA.
CISWA Vice-President: Simon Davies Burrows
Simon has worked in tertiary education management in Australia and overseas for more than 20 years. Since 2005 he has held leadership roles in international education at Edith Cowan University including: recruitment, admissions, compliance & quality assurance, Learning Abroad (global student mobility), international relations & academic partnerships.
Passionate about quality improvements and intercultural communication, Simon has led international education discussions and industry improvements through the delivery of more than 40 conference papers, presentations and workshops to colleagues across all sectors.
In 2011, in recognition of his contributions to international education, Simon was awarded the inaugural Australian Universities International Directors Forum ‘Tracey McCabe Fellowship’.
In 2012, Simon received the Vice-Chancellor’s staff award for contributions to business sustainability through leadership and management of internationalisation at ECU.
He is a Senior Fellow of the International Education Association of Australia and a Fellow of the Association of Tertiary Education Management.
CISWA Treasurer: Veronika Fitzgerald
Veronika possesses over 12 years of experience in international education, showcasing proficiency in English, Mandarin, and Slovak. Her roles have spanned marketing, event management, and administration, fostering strong relationships with clients, stakeholders, and government representatives. Inspired by her own scholarship experiences in China and the Czech Republic, she relocated to Australia, dedicating herself to supporting international students’ well-being and academic success. At Curtin College, she served as Marketing Manager, developing impactful strategies across key markets like China and Hong Kong. Later, as Executive Officer at CISWA, she managed various programs and oversaw PR content creation and financial management. Currently, as International Coordinator for Transnational Education at Edith Cowan University, she focuses on supporting existing partnerships and exploring new opportunities in offshore markets. Her commitment is further evidenced by her role as Treasurer at CISWA, demonstrating ongoing dedication to supporting international students in Western Australia.
CISWA Secretary: Meredith Parkins
Meredith has over two decades of experience in education and hospitality, with a focus on supporting students in Western Australia. Beginning in hospitality in Australia and the Caribbean, she transitioned to education, specializing in international student services at South Metropolitan TAFE. Her roles at prestigious institutions like UWA and Curtin University emphasized student-centric services, and she became a certified Career Counselor to better guide students. Beyond her professional roles, Meredith opened her home to international students for 25 years, fostering deep connections. She‘s also involved in fostering diversity and inclusion as the past Secretary of the Perth Caribbean Association. Meredith’s commitment to empowering students of all backgrounds led her to the Executive Officer role at CISWA, where her expertise and passion for cross-cultural interactions continue to shine.
Executive Member: Derryn Belford
Derryn is the CEO of StudyPerth, the destination marketing organisation for Western Australia’s international education sector.
As well as undertaking a wide range of marketing activities to raise the awareness and position Perth as an internationally recognised study destination, the StudyPerth team actively enables international students to connect with Perth’s best education, life and work experiences, which in turn strengthens WA’s economy, enhances cultural diversity and supports enduring relationships with countries throughout the world.
Derryn joined the StudyPerth team as CEO in late February 2022, after 13 years at Tourism Western Australia. Derryn’s tourism achievements include the significant increase in new hotels built in Perth over the last 8 years, the rapid growth of the cruise ship industry in WA prior to COVID, and the continuing development of the Aboriginal tourism sector across the State. Prior to joining the international education sector, Derryn was Acting Managing Director of Tourism WA, supporting the State’s tourism industry through the COVID-19 pandemic.
Derryn is passionate about education. She has a Bachelor of Science (Psychology) from the University of Western Australia, a Master of Business Administration (Marketing) from Edith Cowan University and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Executive Member: Julie Craig
Julie has worked for over twenty years with international students in the Tertiary sector, working in a variety of roles at Kings College in London, Macquarie University in Sydney and Curtin University. Julie has been responsible for contract management, international relations, events, managing staff and student pastoral support.
In her current role, she ensures international sponsors together with their students receive a high level of support from the University and manages the Curtin contract with the Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade (DFAT) for Australia Awards Scholarship (AAS) recipients.
In 2015, Julie (& team) received the Curtin Excellence and Innovation Award: for programs that enhance student learning under the category of “services supporting student learning” (DVC-Academic, Curtin University).
In 2007, Julie received the Most Outstanding International Student Services & Support Staff Award (Perth Education City & the Government of Western Australia).
Executive Member: Joe Bontempo
Joe has over 20 years of experience working in the education and training sectors, including K-12 education, vocational education and training, international education and higher education.
In recent years this has primarily involved leading teams focused on the development, implementation and management of whole-of-government strategies on international education for the State Government, including WA’s first strategy on international education, Where bright futures begin: International Education Strategy for WA 2018-2025 and the WA International Education Recovery and Renewal Plan (December 2020).
Joe has previously worked as a Ministerial Adviser, providing advice on school education, international and higher education, teacher registration and the development of the State’s curriculum for students Years K-12.
Most recently Joe has joined the Department of Education as Manager, International Education where he is focused on rebuilding the Department’s international education program, post the COVID-19 pandemic.
Joe has a proven track record in in leading successful teams, providing strategic policy advice, managing complexity, driving organisational change and delivering outcomes in a broad range of settings.
Executive Member: Louise Pollard
Louise Pollard is the Director, Student Engagement and Support and is responsible for the Student Life, Wellbeing and Success teams at The University of Notre Dame Australia. She has completed a Fellowship through the National Centre for Student Equity in Higher Education and was previously the Manager of Aspire UWA, a nationally recognised widening participation program at The University of Western Australia. Louise has over 20 years’ experience in developing, implementing and leading a range of education and community development projects in a range of contexts in Australia and internationally.
Executive Member: Chantelle Dawkins
Chantelle has worked in the international education sector in Western Australia for the past 25 years. Chantelle has extensive experience working across the Schools, ELICOS and VET Sector in WA.
Having been employed for TAFE International Western Australia during this time, Chantelle has held various roles across all business areas, with a long period spent in customer service and admissions. Currently Chantelle is working as the Manager, Strategy and Stakeholder Relations. This role works closely with the TIWA Sales and Marketing teams and is responsible for business partner relationships, regional programs, agent familiarisation tours and student experience across the TAFE Colleges and Government Schools in Western Australia.
Chantelle is passionate about international education and welcoming international students into life in Western Australia and assisting with their education goals.
Executive Member: Rene Chahal
Rene Chahal is an education and training compliance professional, working in the Vocational Education & Training sector since she moved to Australia in 2015. Rene has experience working in different business areas within training organisations such as administration, client relations, business operations, management, training, and compliance.
Rene has been actively involved in the international education sector since the beginning of her professional career in Australia. She has a broad working knowledge of the CRICOS sector and its compliance with the ESOS Framework including the National Code of Practice for Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students 2018. Being actively involved with RTOs for more than 8 years now, Rene has extensive knowledge of the Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector and legislation applicable to VET i.e., Standards for RTOs 2015, Australian Qualifications Framework, Financial Viability Risk Assessment Requirements, Fit and Proper Person Requirements & Data Provision Requirements.
As a Quality and Compliance Consultant within the education and training space, Rene provides VET & CRICOS consulting services to education providers. Having worked with various training organisations all these years, Rene understands the operational requirements of training organisations very well.
Rene is passionate about helping education providers maintain education and training quality and supporting all those professionals who work with international students to support the well-being of international students.
Executive Member: Amanda Turner
Amanda is the inaugural Director of UWA College which prepares international students for study at UWA.
Prior to this Amanda work at UWA as Associate Director, Global Engagement in a role focused on establishing and operationalizing UWA’s strategies aimed at increasing successful international engagement and growth.
Amanda has a undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications in Commerce and Information Technology. She has spent a large portion of her professional life within the education sector predominantly as Divisional General Manager for Students and Education at the University of Tasmania. Other education organizations she has worked at include the Australian Maritime College, Western Sydney University and Charles Darwin University.
Amanda has also worked in a number of leadership roles in the community services sector that focused on disability support in Tasmania, and assisting the long term unemployed and indigenous communities in the Northern Territory.
Executive Member: Dr Linda Yang
With over 25 years’ experience working in China, U.K. Ireland and Australia, Linda has extensive experience in delivering intercultural consultancy and training to diverse participants from more than 100 nationalities from higher education and business sectors. Linda is an energetic educator with a PhD in intercultural studies who brings dynamism to every discussion. She works hard to effectively enhance the performance of individuals and teams across disciplines, cultures and borders. Linda is well known for her research-led, engaging training and out-of-the-box thinking.
Linda is the Managing Director for the Intercultural Development Institute (ICDI), a research-led and practice-oriented intercultural training and consulting organization based in Perth, WA.
Linda is also an Adjunct Senior Lecturer at College of Business, Murdoch University and Lecturer at Kaplan Business School, Perth.
She specialises in:
• Intercultural Communication
• Intercultural competence
• Multicultural teams
• Intercultural conflict and negotiation
• Emotional intelligence