Foundation Board Members
Karen Howard is an award-winning entrepreneur, with over 22 years’ experience as a successful business owner in professional services sectors. She brings to the Foundation over 21 years’ successful track record as a respected Non-executive Director and Board Chair with cross-sector expertise including regional development, co-operatives/membership-based organisations, small business, health, tourism and education. Previous directorships include Business Hunter (formerly Hunter Business Chamber – Director and President), Hunter Medicare Local (now known as Hunter Primary Care – Director and Board Chair), NSW Business Chamber (now known as Business NSW – elected Director) and Hunter Central Coast Development Corporation – Board member. She is currently a Non-executive Director of publicly listed, Newcastle-based company Alloggio Group Limited (ASX:ALO).
Karen brings to the Foundation strong personal and professional networks throughout private, public, and not-for profit sectors Australia-wide and in 2013 was the recipient of the Hunter TAFE Inaugural Alumni Award for Contribution to Business.
Awarded a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors in 2009, Karen is committed to broadening the reach of business involvement in the Foundation’s scholarships and awards programs, ensuring more TAFE NSW students across the Hunter and Central Coast have the opportunity to complete their studies and achieve their career goals.
Kay was a Director with the NSW Department of Education from 2007 to January 2016, having leadership and management responsibilities for NSW public schools and their Principals in Lake Macquarie East. For over a decade she was a member of the Department’s Hunter/Central Coast Regional, later Tamworth Network, Executive, and led a range of education portfolios including Equity, Student Wellbeing, Vocational Education and Professional Leadership. Previously she was principal of Lisarow High School on the Central Coast for over six years. She has also held executive positions in four other NSW high schools, has been the NSW Board of Studies Liaison Officer for the Hunter region and a previous NSW Education Regional Manager for equity and vocational education initiatives.
For over 30 years, Mark has been in involved in the mining industry, accruing a wide range of experiences at various levels of management. He is the founder and Managing Director of MB Engineering Solutions, a market leader in the coal handing plant maintenance arena, operating throughout the mining industries of NSW and QLD.
Having earned his Associate Diploma in Mechanical Engineering from TAFE NSW Newcastle and his Master of Business Administration from the University of Newcastle, Mark has firsthand knowledge of the value that education and training can instill, making him proud to join an organisation that helps others to enjoy similar opportunities.
Cameron Denny is an experienced people and risk professional, with a successful career in national and international businesses and, more recently, working in senior management and advising on boards and committees. Having graduated from the local University of Newcastle with a Bachelor of Business and a Bachelor of Commerce, combined with practical experience, Cameron brings a young, community minded and professional perspective to the board. Cameron truly believes in the purpose of the Hunter Foundation, and as someone who avidly values personal development, he is excited to become a part of an organisation that is helping others accomplish their own educational endeavours.
Colin Law has more than 20 years’ experience in the banking industry. He is the Area Manager for Small Business in ANZ and a well-known local business person in the Hunter Region.
As a driven and visionary leader, Colin is motivated to help people. He is committed to the local community and passionate about building successful partnerships. He is the Treasurer of the Newcastle Tourism Industry Group, and also the Founder of the Surfest Women’s Pro Crowd Funding Initiative and The Meg Purser Pathways Program.
Colin holds a Master’s degree of Business from University of Newcastle.
Kiraley Martin has over 15 years’ professional experience within a wide range of industries; including logistics, manufacturing, mining, construction, government and not-for-profit. After holding executive roles in finance and governance, Kiraley has now entered the technology space, as Chief Information Officer (CIO) at Lake Macquarie City Council.
Kiraley holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Newcastle. She has completed her CPA and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. She also holds a Certificate of Governance Practice and a Certificate 4 in Workplace & Business Coaching.
Kiraley is passionate about helping her community and as CIO of LMCC, she is able to help people stay connected, innovative and resilient. She is also an advocate for diversity and inclusion, and is committed to helping people gain better access to equal opportunities, especially in education. Not only is she on the Board of Hunter TAFE Foundation, Kiraley is also a Director of Equal Futures Project, a member of the University of Newcastle’s Alumni Advisory Committee and a member of the Women in Mining Committee for the Hunter Valley.
Jason Darney is a proud Wiradjuri man from the Central West of NSW and boasts an impressive profile working in education and government with significant long-term contributions to Aboriginal Education and Training. Jason has been part of the TAFE NSW Regional executive teams since 1999 and is currently the Executive Director of TAFE NSW North Region.
Jason is a strong advocate for social equality and promotes education without favour or bias but with the core belief of creating the best opportunities for all students.
His qualifications in social sciences, education and management and strong leadership skills enable him to focus on achieving desired results whilst still maintaining strong connectivity with the core business of teaching and learning.
Jason is well respected and known by his colleagues as a dedicated Indigenous man who has risen up the ranks of his organisation and passionately advocates on behalf of others in need. He is a man who, as his father taught him, respects others as he would like to be respected himself. These qualities make him a role model for both in his personal and professional life.