REFLECTIONS FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Foundation Board

The composition of the Perth College Foundation Inc Board is governed by its Constitution. The Board's Charter is to ensure appropriate and accountable management of funds held by the Foundation and to provide the necessary oversight on all governance-related matters.

Karen Field

Chair, Independent Director and Old Girl

Karen has operated as a professional Non-Executive Director for 20 years on ASX-listed companies, government trading enterprises, private companies and not-for-profits. Before assuming Non-Executive Directorship roles, Karen had a long career in the resources industry holding executive roles in a variety of industry sectors throughout Australia and in South America. Karen is an Economics graduate and a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD).

Andrew Harrison

Vice-Chair

Mr Harrison is an experienced CEO and Non-Executive Director of both publicly listed and proprietary companies, across a range of sectors including healthcare, resources, and the commercialisation of intellectual property including diagnostic imaging artificial intelligence. He has extensive experience in capital market transactions, including IPO activities, debt markets, both local and international mergers and acquisitions, strategic restructuring and turnaround, and the management of distributed branch network organisations. He has acted as an independent advisor to investment funds and has extensive experience in corporate governance and board committee leadership.

Angel Chen

Old Girls’ Association Foundation Board Representative

Angel, is the Co-Founder and Chief of Strategy at Draw History, a global social impact consultancy that works to amplify the impact of civic organisations in the world. Angel holds a Bachelor of Laws and Commerce (First Class Honours) and has been recognised on the 2018 Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia Honouree in Media, Marketing and Advertising.

Jane Scott

Old Girls Association Council Representative

Jane is Emeritus Professor of Public Health Nutrition Research at Curtin University and holds a PhD in Nutritional Epidemiology and a Masters of Public Health. She worked as an Academic for most of her career, and has held senior faculty positions at Flinders University and Curtin University. She has served on the board of Dietitians Australia, of which she is a Fellow and Life Member. Jane currently serves on a number of national advisory and steering groups.

Tracey Dembo

Independent Director and Old Girl

Tracey is a Perth College Old Girl with a Bachelor of Laws degree with First Class Honours from The University of Western Australia and Master of Laws degree from the University of Melbourne. She is a Senior Associate at King & Wood Mallesons and leads teams across multiple jurisdictions in high-value corporate and banking transactions. Tracey is also a children’s author with a strong interest in children’s early learning and development. Tracey has worked closely with a range of charity and not-for-profit clients. Previously a director of Playgroup WA (Inc) for four and a half years, Tracey is also passionate about supporting and connecting families and building stronger communities.

Alex Hurst

Council Representative

Alex is a Certified Financial Planner with more than 17 years’ experience in the industry specialising in superannuation, investments and cash flow management. In addition to being a Director at WealthCo Advisory, Alex sits on the investment committee of Mont Partners; this role involves the review of asset allocations and investment holdings. Alex has worked in a range of financial institutions, including BT Funds Management, Westpac, MLC and NAB Financial Planning. He also holds a Diploma of Financial Advising from the Australian Securities Institute.

Helen Aguiar

Ex-Officio, Principal

Helen joined Perth College in 2019 with a passion for educating young people and a desire to equip girls for life in the global world beyond school. Helen has a background in teaching and senior leadership positions in Anglican and Catholic schools in Western Australia and holds a Bachelor of Education (Secondary Teaching), having specialised in English and Humanities. She also has a Master of Education in Leadership and Management and a Master of Religious Education (specialising in pastoral care). Helen has spent time undertaking research which explored the wellbeing experiences of newly employed teachers, drawing upon Martin Seligman’s positive psychology framework.

Ross Gilchrist

Ex-Officio, Director of Commercial Services

Ross Gilchrist is the Director of Commercial Services and has been associated with the School as a parent, through his three daughters, since 2009. He has extensive experience within organisations in the services and industrial sectors covering Australia and Asia Pacific. Ross is a Chartered Accountant and a Fellow of the Taxation Institute, and holds a Masters in Accounting from The University of Western Australia.