ECCS Board

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Marianna Agostino Board Chair
Marianna Agostino is a Chartered Accountant, strategic advisor, and Founder of Conscious Wealth Creation. With over 20 years’ experience across corporate, nonprofit, and entrepreneurial sectors, she brings strong financial acumen, governance expertise, and inclusive leadership to her role as Board Chair. Marianna is known for translating complex financial matters into clear strategies and fostering high-performing, values-driven boards. Her work combines analytical depth with a passion for ethical business, financial empowerment, and long-term sustainability.

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Jo Spek
Johanne Spek has a diverse background in community engagement and project leadership. Her experience includes leading initiatives as part of the ‘Towards 2025 Strategy’ to strengthen connections between schools, parishes, and families. She has served as Acting Aboriginal Education Manager, demonstrating strong management and leadership skills. Jo’s expertise extends to event coordination, parent education programs, and counselling. She effectively manages stakeholder relationships and has a proven track record of coordinating significant events.

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Deacon Dr. Michael Tan
Ordained in 2021 for the Parramatta Diocese, Michael blends medical expertise with pastoral care. A retired GP, he now ministers in the parishes of St. John the Evangelist, Riverstone, and St. Matthew’s Windsor. His journey includes a strong connection to palliative care, reflecting a dedication to serving the sick and vulnerable. He provides formation for health care professionals.

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Emeritus Bishop David Walker
David Walker, ordained for Broken Bay in 1996, served as its chief pastor for 17 years, retiring in 2013. His ministry emphasised Australian spirituality, theological education, and adult faith formation, leading to the founding of the Catholic Correspondence Centre and the Broken Bay Institute. He continues to champion the study of Scripture and lectio divina, bringing scripture to a global audience. He also serves with David Penny and Rev John Frauenfelder as the Member for the Educational Centre for Christian Spirituality.

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Dr Monica Dutton
Dr Monica Dutton is experienced in Catholic education and her work is centred on spirituality, mission and formation. Her research focuses on formation and transformative learning through the experience of cross-cultural immersion. She leads the SAM program, empowering women through theological study, accompaniment and mentoring. Monica has guided many pilgrimages and immersions, believing experiential learning has the potential to transform individuals and communities seeking to fulfil God’s mission.

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Robert Tonkli
Robert Tonkli is Chief of Staff at the SDA, leveraging experience from senior roles at ACU and NCEC. A legal practitioner, he's also an AICD graduate with master's degrees in theology and business. His career blends legal expertise with educational and union advocacy. His diverse background highlights a dedication to strategic leadership and community involvement. He is currently preparing to become a deacon.

Leadership Team

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CEO - Virginia Ryan
Virginia has more than 30 years' experience in a broad range of Catholic educational leadership positionsHer principal areas of expertise are Adult Formation, Religious Education Curriculum K-12, and executive leadership coaching.

She designed and facilitated four National ACBC e-Conferences and led the design and implementation of Scripture Conferences which were highly successful in schools implementing new pedagogies for teaching Scripture in the RE Classroom from K-12. Virginia has a strong ongoing commitment to praying and promoting the practice of Lectio Divina.

Virginia is also committed to serving on MPJP Boards. She understands the challenges and demands faced by Catholic Education leaders today and appreciates how essential Catholic formation for lay leaders is to the mission of our Church.

Her qualifications inlcude BA,  Grad Dip Ed, Grad Dip RE, MA Theology, MA Educational Leadership.

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Manager - Greg Wilson

For over 30 years, Greg worked as a member of and led Religious Education and Formation teams in the Catholic Education Offices of the Arch/dioceses of Sydney, Parramatta and Broken Bay. He has led and contributed to major Religious Education curriculum development projects and the design and conduct of a range of professional learning and formation courses for educators and leaders. He has served as a committee member of State and National Catholic education peak bodies.

Greg has undergraduate and post graduate degrees in education and theology. He has designed post graduate courses in system leadership and lectured in Religious Education at the Australian Catholic University, Columban Mission Institute and Aquinas Academy. Greg also works as an educational consultant in Catholic school leadership professional learning and formation

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