National Board of Directors

The National Board of Directors

ECA adopted a new Constitution in April 2021 which means that all members of ECA are now invited to join the national organisation directly and have the right to vote on candidates for both the National Board and State/Territory Committees when vacancies occur. The ECA National Board now has nine directors: five Ordinary Directors elected by members and four Independent Directors appointed through a Nominations Committee process. Members in each jurisdiction will have an opportunity to elect someone from their state/territory to the National Board over time, according to a fixed rotation schedule. The Independent Directors will be appointed based on skills or expertise needed on the Board from time to time to achieve the strategic objectives of ECA. These appointments will be managed by the Nominations Committee, which will consist of current Board members and state/territory representatives.

Within the new governance model, the ECA National Council will become the main forum for consultation and consensus-building on matters of public policy affecting young children. Council will continue to be made up of four delegates from each State and Territory Committee as well as representatives from national committees such as the Reconciliation Advisory Group. In recognition of its expanded role, the Council will meet at least twice a year (once in person and once virtually).

The National Board of Directors

 

National President/Ordinary Director	Trevor Brown
Independent Director	Jackie Wilson
Ordinary Director	Alistair Gibbs
Independent Director	Jim Craddock
Ordinary Director	Alison Evans
Ordinary Director	Gretchen Young
Ordinary Director	Lisa Kervin AM
Ordinary Director	Amie Fabry
Ordinary Director	Nicole Pilsworth

Profiles

Trevor Brown
Across an early years career spanning more than 30 years, Trevor Brown has held a number of pedagogical, operational and strategic leadership positions in not-for-profit organisations and government agencies in Queensland and Tasmania. Work has included pedagogical coaching, professional learning design, management of state-wide projects and workforce development. Currently, Trevor oversees and leads the Early Years Actions of the Tasmanian Child and Youth Wellbeing Strategy in the Tasmanian Department of Premier and Cabinet.

Jackie Wilson
Jackie Wilson has a strong interest in the design of good policy and programs informed by strong stakeholder engagement. As a Partner at ORIMA Research, Jackie works on research projects in support of public sector policies, programs and initiatives. Prior to this, she worked in the Australian Public Service for 35 years, most recently as Deputy Secretary for the Early Childhood and Child Care Group of the Department of Education, Skills and Employment (DESE). She has held a number of senior Commonwealth positions in program and policy areas covering health, disability, community services, education, employment, budget and finance.

Alistair Gibbs
Alistair Gibbs is a dedicated advocate for early childhood education, and has served on Early Childhood Australia’s (ECA) Victorian State Committee since 2016, assuming roles as an ordinary member and Vice President. Committed to ECA’s vision of every child thriving, he fosters engagement with regional areas, facilitates valuable feedback with the Department of Education, and organises annual conferences on current research and pedagogy. A board member for Social Justice in Early Childhood, Alistair champions inclusion and Anti-Bias principles, mentoring professionals and collaborating on submissions to advance equity. Joining ECA’s National Board, he aims to amplify daily service perspectives, ensuring they shape future strategies for sector-wide influence.

James Jim Craddock
James, as Chief Education Officer at Modern Star Pty Ltd, leads the development of educational resources aligned with Early Childhood Australia’s vision of ‘every young child thriving and learning.’ His experience across sales, marketing, and category management, combined with expertise in Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices, highlights his commitment to responsible business operations. In previous roles as Chief Commercial Officer, James successfully managed acquisitions and implemented sustainable growth strategies. His extensive board experience, including with Modern Star and CCSA, has honed his governance and financial oversight skills. James is well-equipped to bring his strategic expertise and passion for education to ECA as an independent board member.

Alison Evans
Alison Evans has held a range of positions in ECEC spanning over thirty years, commencing as a kindergarten teacher and then holding a range of senior positions across multiple organisations, she is currently the Head of Early Learning and Education at G8 Education. Alison has also been an active member of the Queensland branch for many years and is deeply committed to the vision and purpose of ECA.

Gretchen Young
A proud Gadigal woman with ties to the Bundjalung Nation, Gretchen Young is an experienced community sector executive dedicated to empowering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. As Executive Director of Programs at SNAICC – National Voice for our Children, she leads initiatives that strengthen Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations delivering early years programs nationwide. With qualifications in nursing, social science and Indigenous Knowledge, Gretchen brings extensive governance, policy and program leadership experience. She is committed to driving meaningful cultural change and ensuring Aboriginal children and families thrive through community-led, culturally strong services.

Professor Lisa Kervin AM
Professor Lisa Kervin AM is a researcher and advocate in early childhood education, play, and digital literacies. As a Professor of Early Childhood at Monash University and ARC Future Fellow, her research explores intergenerational play, literacy, digital technologies and children’s museums. Lisa works in close collaboration with Elders, cultural mentors and communities to make connections to Country and understand diverse childhoods. A graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Lisa brings governance, research and strategic insight to her role. Throughout her career Lisa has always had a deep commitment to equity, inclusion and social justice, with a desire to support all children and families to flourish through culturally responsive and innovative early learning.

Dr Amie Fabry
Dr Amie Fabry is a respected early childhood leader, researcher and advocate with a strong commitment to educator capability and child-centred practice. A long-time ECA member and former Co-Chair of ECA WA, she works to strengthen the profession through leadership development, evidence-informed practice and strategic advocacy. Her PhD, awarded the ECA Doctoral Thesis Award, deepened her expertise in early childhood pedagogical leadership, and the significance of this role in driving continuous improvement in quality play-based early childhood programs in schools. Amie brings to the Board her deep sector knowledge, governance acumen and passion for advancing ECA’s vision of a thriving, equitable and future-focused early childhood sector.

Nicole Pilsworth
With over 30 years’ experience across teaching, research and policy, Nicole Pilsworth is dedicated to building strong, high-quality early learning systems. At the Victorian Department of Education, she leads place-based service design that integrates education and wellbeing outcomes for children and families. Nicole’s leadership extends to workforce strategy, professional learning and governance roles across peak bodies. A long-term ECA member, she is committed to strengthening the early childhood workforce and shaping evidence-based policy. Her collaborative approach bridges government, community and education sectors to achieve positive outcomes for children nationwide.

Role

The role of the National Board of Directors is:

• the governance and long-term planning of the organisation
• the implementation of the organisation’s strategic plan
• to ensure that Early Childhood Australia meets its objectives and fulfils its mission to advocate for young children.

Members of the National Board of Directors carry the legal responsibility for governance of the organisation and are required to act in the best interests of the National Organisation.