Pramitha currently works as a General Manager-Finance and Commercial for an Australian based multi-billion-dollar transportation and logistics group. Pramitha has over 18 years of work experience across five countries. Pramitha is both a Chartered Accountant and a Chartered Management Accountant and holds a Master’s in Business Administration. His prior work experience includes working for a big4 financial consultancy firm, one of the largest power generators in the world and one of the big4 power companies in Australia.

Pramitha has numerous governance experiences as a former board member and a board committee member. Pramitha is a father whose son had attended one of MEYM’s kindergartens.

Josh is father to two young boys, Rocco and Rafa, one of which currently attends Newlands Pre-school. He is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountant in Australia and has has held a number of senior finance and project governance roles, primarily in the Infrastructure industry. Josh brings strong finance, risk and governance acumen to the Board, along with a strong desire to support the outstanding team at MEYM deliver great outcomes for the students.

Stephanie is a high-level marketing, brand and strategy executive with over 18 years’ experience in property, banking and finance, management consulting, engineering, and transport and logistics. 

Stephanie thrives on the challenge to be strategic, creative and innovative – which is backed by a thirst for knowledge and continuous learning. Having led marketing, brand and digital marketing teams, Stephanie is well versed across all focus areas of marketing. 

With strong interpersonal and communication skills in establishing and building relationships with multiple and varied stakeholders, Stephanie is a creative and integrated thinker who has a solid foundation in marketing as well as digital transformation.

Stephanie holds a Master of International Business (Marketing and Management) and a Bachelor of Business (Marketing). 

Above all else, Stephanie is passionate about ensuring all children have equal access to early learning and the opportunity to thrive in any learning environment.

I have worked in the Early Years sector in a range of roles for over 30 years.  The most significant having been – Teaching Fellow (The University of Melbourne Master of Teaching program) mentoring and assessing students within early childhood settings, Pre-school Field Officer and Inclusion Support Facilitator all at Merri-bek City Council. 

Previous experiences worth noting: Teaching Early Years Studies in both the TAFE and community sectors and Teacher at Yooralla Glenroy Early Childhood Intervention Centre.

Although currently retired I wish to continue to contribute to the early childhood field and by being an active community Board member, I believe gives me this opportunity.  Thank you.

Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood / Adult)

Associate Diploma Social Science.

Cath has held Director and Senior Management roles in Human Resources and worked in the Higher Education sector for over 30 years. Cath spent 21 years at Deakin University in a variety of roles including managing the HR Business Partnering team; Principal Adviser to
the Executive Director, HR; and Director of Talent Acquisition, Remuneration and Evaluations. Cath is currently working as the Manager, Remuneration and Benefits at Latrobe University.
Cath originally worked in Early Childhood Education in the TAFE sector and oversaw the management of three centres, being one of the first accredited National External Reviewers for the original Quality Improvement and Accreditation System. Cath’s ability to build strong and lasting relationships with stakeholders and clients and her integrity and commitment to compliance and governance makes her a sought out senior
adviser and trusted colleague and confidante. She is an excellent communicator where she shows her strong listening skills. Cath holds a Graduate Diploma in Industrial Relations and Human Resource Management; Graduate Certificate in Leadership for Education and Training Managers; Diploma in Community Services (Child Care) and Advanced Certificate in Management, Social and Community Services and an Advanced Certificate in Children’s Services. Cath welcomes the opportunity to contribute again to the early learning sector and is passionate about children being given the opportunity to thrive and grow to their full potential.

Began early childhood career in Hobart, managing a family day care scheme and outside school hours program. Moved to City of Stonnington where I was Co ordinator of Children’s Services for seven years – kindergarten, long day care, occasional care and family day care. Then to community-based, not for profit, managing three long day care centres and more recently, sessional kindergarten with Merri-bek Community Child Care Centres, over a 12 year period. Now part-time Director of sessional kindergarten in South Melbourne. I divide my time between Bentleigh and the Bellarine. Also a sometime marriage celebrant!

Sophie is a mother of two young daughters, both of whom have attended or are attending MEYM kindergartens. 

She is passionate about early childhood education issues and is committed to giving back to the community of which her family is a part. 

Sophie has extensive experience working for the Victorian State government as a lawyer and policy officer. She also previously worked for Merri-bek City Council in a range of roles in the childhood/ recreation sector. 

As a lawyer, Sophie advised State Government boards and entities on legal issues arising from their daily operations, corporate governance, commercial matters, and statutory compliance. Her experience includes advising on policy development and legislative reform, including developing board policies on diversity and representation, gender equality, recruitment processes and strategic planning. 

She has experience working in law firms as well as in-house, advising clients such as the Department and Education and the Department of Premier and Cabinet. 

Sophie has a good understanding of some of the practical issues involved in the sector. Prior to becoming a lawyer, she worked as an educator in a child care centre. She was Assistant Coordinator at school holiday programs run by Merri-bek City Council, where she planned, ran and evaluated school holiday programs for primary school aged children. She also worked as an Inclusion Coordinator for Merri-bek City Council to devise, assess and improve inclusion strategies for primary school aged children with additional needs who attended holiday programs. 

Barry is the Manager of Early Years and Youth Services at Merri-bek City Council and has been a member of numerous Boards and Committees of Management for a range of community based not for profit organisations. He is currently a Board member of Community Childcare, Victoria’s peak body for community-owned not-for-profit long day care and outside schools hours care in Victoria.

Barry is passionate about investing in early years to ensure that young people have the opportunity to thrive and reach their full potential.