Our Team
CRAIG FIELKE
Executive Director
Craig has been employed in Lutheran learning communities in South Australia for over 30 yearsand has experience in both secondary and R-12 environments. Over the past 13 years, Craig has held senior executive positions and has an intimate understanding of the needs and pressures that learning communities face on a day-to-day basis, providing him with insight and an ability to empathize and walk alongside the region’s leaders.
JANE MUELLER
Governance Leadership Director
Jane provides leadership and practical support to the governing bodies of Lutheran learning communities.From broad professional learning to targeted assistance, Jane supports boards and councils with co-construction and problem-solving in order to champion good governance and deliver improved system outcomes.
Jane’s skills and interests in spiritual leadership, culture, strategy and psychology have developed through a combination of tertiary study, informal learning and professional experiences. Jane previously served as a principal and senior leader in Lutheran learning communities for 25 years.
BRAD RICHMOND
Business Director
Brad has significant business and financial experience in the corporate and not for profit sectors.He is able to provide financial and strategic leadership to LESNW member communities and support Governance and Leadership to deliver sustainable business initiatives.
Brad is a lateral and strategic thinker who enjoys problem-solving and analysing data for business improvement.
STEVE SANDERS
Project & Operations Director
Steve specialises in strategy and project management and has extensive experience in all elements of a project frominception through contract negotiation to design review and implementation, including procurement and contract management. He has an interest in master planning, contemporary learning environments and outdoor learning spaces.
Steve has been involved in setting and delivering strategic intentions and delivering on major projects for over 30 years. He spent 10 years in the Royal Australian Navy as a Supply Officer, working on major logistic and infrastructure projects, a decade as General Manager of a national horticulture maintenance and landscape construction company and the last 15 years in education.
Steve brings many years of experience to LESNW as the Strategy and Project Director and is a valuable resource for learning communities considering any element of the Business Planning Framework.
MIGNON WECKERT
Educational Leadership Director
Mignon’s current focus in the organisation is equipping leadership for the emerging future with Growing Deep (LEA)providing the framework. The leadership development she leads focuses on systems thinking and systems sensing using awareness-based practices to nurture collective and individual leadership practice, unleashing collective creativity for innovation and improvement in learning communities. Leaders explore their role in cultivating a generative social field which is thriving supportive and compassionate and where all stakeholders share in the co-creation and implementation of a compelling vision for Lutheran education. The focus on leadership is not only to build leadership capacity within learning communities but to develop systems leaders who collaborate to enable each community to achieve its vision.
Mignon has developed a wealth of knowledge, experience and expertise as a teacher and executive leader in schools and learning organisations in Australia and Singapore. She was employed by the International Baccalaureate for over 6 years as the Regional Manager for Asia Pacific supporting the significant growth and development of IB schools through-out the region. She also has and continues to, facilitate professional learning globally.
Mignon has a passion for promoting learning for our children’s future and to support LESNW learning communities “to become communities that value learning as God’s gift to people for their wonder, growth, and to inspire them to respond to the needs of the world”. (Growing deep LEA)
DAVID WILKSCH
Principal Growth Director
David brings more than 30 years of experience in Lutheran Education and has served as principal for 27 years across three unique learning communities.David has also offered significant contributions to local, district and national committees and working parties.
David’s success as a leader and motivator of people and communities flows primarily from his deep love for God and people. He has a strong capacity to develop meaningful and purposeful relationships based on high levels of trust.
In our challenging and changing world, David’s passion is to listen to, support, encourage, inspire and empower principals and directors in an environment where continuous growth and learning is critical for learning communities to remain relevant and sustainable.
ANDREW BRADTKE
Education Leader
Andrew’s passion and speciality is curriculum development, design and support. He believes that education is about preparing and equippingfuture generations to live, work and prosper in an ever evolving world. Teachers and students are encouraged to embrace change as together they pursue academic excellence whilst giving them the tools to be part of a global community. He has a Masters in Educational Leadership and has a keen interest in pedagogical leadership, innovation and change management.
Andrew is currently an Education Leader for Lutheran Education South Australia, Northern Territory and Western Australia. He has extensive experience as a classroom teacher, and as a curriculum and pedagogical leader. In Indonesia he worked in IB schools, as a classroom teacher, curriculum coordinator and school leader. He is an accredited IB Educator (Workshop Leader, Consultant and School Visit Team Leader).
Andrew’s nearly 30 years of broad educational experience, enables him to be a valuable resource and support to teachers and leaders both in Australia and South-East Asia.
BRIAN EARL
Finance Manager
Brian brings over 20 years of financial leadership experience across not-for-profit, commercial, and educational sectors, including his recent role as Chief OperatingOfficer at Schools Ministry Group Inc.
A Chartered Accountant with a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours), Brian has senior-level experience in accounting, finance, and IT, as well as board-level governance, previously serving as Treasurer of Pilgrim School in SA.
His deep understanding of payroll, taxation compliance, and financial reporting aligns seamlessly with the technical and strategic demands of this newly re-focused role.
REBECCA FIELKE
Marketing & Communications Officer
Rebecca provides marketing and communications support to the LESNW Regional Office and LESNW Learning Communities.In the evolving role, she is tasked with delivering a broad spectrum of marketing, communication and administrative services.
MEGAN FITZALLEN
Risk & Compliance Officer
Megan is currently on maternity leave.
VINOD KANDAVELU
Risk & Compliance Officer
Vinod has diverse work experience in Organisational Development, Compliance and Quality assurance in higher education environments.He has worked effectively across teams in the implementation and management of Quality Management Systems, in line with the regulatory standards to ensure relevance and effectiveness.
Vinod is supporting the Regional Office and our Learning Communities, driving the utilisation of CompliSpace services including Policy, Assurance and CompliLearn platforms. He will be involved in running training for new staff and building additional resources in the platforms for our Learning Communities to use. Vinod’s technical expertise across the CompliSpace platforms will be available to assist Learning Communities.
With his blended background in understanding the essentials of Education and Quality standards, Vinod has a passion for systems and for people which he is keen to share with our Learning Communities.
BEN KERRY
Operational Business Strategist
Ben is an experienced operator with business, financial and management skills. He has extensive experience inthe preparation of financial analysis and reporting these results to senior management and Board level.
Ben is a results-oriented individual with exceptional problem-solving skills, initiative, and drive to get the job done in challenging and demanding environments. He is regarded by his peers as an individual with a high level of integrity and honesty combined with a high level of emotional intelligence.
Ben is looking forward to assisting Learning Communities maintain and develop sustainable business models.
JOYLENE LEANEY
Risk & Compliance Officer
Joylene specialises in Risk, Compliance and Change Management in particular utilising the CompliSpace platforms.Joylene’s experience includes system development, project management, system implementation and data management and reporting. She is interested in developing and implementing practical solutions through systems and automation to capture evidence of compliance.
Joylene has worked across several sectors including mining, retail, banking and both secondary and higher education in systems development, data and system management. She spent 8 years working with Blue chip companies such as BHP, Mt Isa Mines, Unisys and Citibank developing code and implementing commercial systems. She then spent over a decade in Education both secondary and higher managing internal systems and data for internal and government reporting and over the past 10 years has worked with and continues to work with independent schools nationally in a consulting capacity to implement policy management and compliance systems.
Joylene’s experience can be utilised by any of the learning communities considering their risk and compliance obligations, change management and productive utilisation of the Policy, Assurance and Learning systems to assist with compliance and best practice.
LYNETTE SCHILLER
Early Years Facilitator
Lynette’s specialist area is the Early Years. She has extensive experience in leading and managing a quality service. This has includedthe Educational Programming and Practice, as well as Administration, Financial Management and Human Resourcing of the centre.
Lynette is a strong advocate of building strong and secure relationships with children and their families. She also has a keen interest in the development of outdoor learning spaces.
Lynette has been involved in the Early Years sector of LESNW for most of her 35+ years teaching career, with 22 years experience as a Preschool Director.
DARREN TAYLOR
Administration Assistant
Darren has experience in a variety of fields focusing mainly on administration and customer service.As the administration assistant between LESNW and LCA, he looks forward to being a point of contact for both communities while assisting the offices with their operations.
STUART TRAEGER
Spiritual & Cultural Leader
Stuart specialises in providing theological, pastoral and personal support to individuals and communities. He has interest and experiencein ministry, pastoral care and wellbeing. Stuart is regularly engaged to run theological development and spiritual retreats for all staff. He is the regional manager for Connect (staff accreditation) and Valuing Safe Communities.
Stuart has been involved in providing pastoral support and encouragement for nearly 30 years. He spent 10 years as a parish pastor, 10 years as a college pastor, and has been in his current role at the LESNW Regional Office since 2013.
Stuart is a valuable resource for learning communities considering how Lutheran theology informs culture at all levels of their community.
RENEE WEHNER
Education Leader
Renee has worked in Lutheran education for 20 years, having held various classroom and leadership roles and completed her Master of Education in 2012.Renee is experienced with initiating and leading curriculum and pedagogical improvement and has a proven track record in collaborating with school leadership and external agencies. In addition, she was a writer for the revisioning of Lutheran Education Australia’s ‘a vision for learners and learning’ (Free to Flourish). Renee is passionate about empowering educators and is excited about working with Christian Studies teachers and leaders and supporting teachers to fulfil their accreditation requirements.
RENEE WEHNER
Education Leader
Renee has worked in Lutheran education for 20 years, having held various classroom and leadership roles and completed her Master of Education in 2012.Renee is experienced with initiating and leading curriculum and pedagogical improvement and has a proven track record in collaborating with school leadership and external agencies. In addition, she was a writer for the revisioning of Lutheran Education Australia’s ‘a vision for learners and learning’ (Free to Flourish). Renee is passionate about empowering educators and is excited about working with Christian Studies teachers and leaders and supporting teachers to fulfil their accreditation requirements.
LINDY YEATMAN
Finance Consultant
Lindy provides a wide range of financial and administration support to schools and kindergartens and is part of the LESNW finance team.Lindy has been a CPA for over 30 years and has been working in Lutheran Education for almost 20 years, firstly at Immanuel Primary School and now at LESNW.
LUCIE LAWRENCE-WALL
HR and EA Consultant
Lucie is a lawyer who has been seconded from Piper Alderman to assist LESNW learning communities with HRand Enterprise Agreement related queries.
She specialises in Employment Law and has a keen interest in employment matters relating to schools, including discrimination matters.
Prior to working at Piper Alderman, Lucie worked for international law firm, Ashurst, in Melbourne. Before working as a lawyer, Lucie had a career in banking at the National Australia Bank.