Our Mission & Purpose
Transforming lives through learning
At Catalyst Education, we are dedicated to making a lasting positive impact by empowering individuals with the skills, knowledge, and opportunities to excel in the care and education sectors. Through our commitment to innovation, growth, and inclusivity, we strive to build a brighter, more compassionate future for Australia.
OUR PURPOSE
Our purpose is to make a significant contribution to a more capable, caring and compassionate society through contemporary, quality education and training, and advocacy, for the Care and Education sectors across Australia.
OUR VISION
Our vision is to build and skill Care workforces for Australia; to lift the success of our learners and partners to new levels, and benefit communities for generations to come.
OUR VALUES
Our values go to the ambition, diligence and good grace we have in serving the binding purpose of our business and the positive social impact we can make.
Our Investors
Catalyst Education is proudly owned by FP Education Australia (FPEA), a not-for-profit holding company managed by For Purpose Investment Partners (FPIP). FPIP is a not-for-profit social impact investment manager, bringing private sector capital and capabilities into sizeable businesses and projects to create significant social impact.
FPIP acquired Catalyst Education in April 2021 through FPEA, with a vision of building a transformative leader in the skills education sector focused on training in the key social sectors of early childhood education, aged care and disability care. Central to FPIP’s investment in Catalyst Education is the values alignment of the Catalyst Education team in delivering social impact in the communities it operates in.
Since 2021, the team at FPIP has partnered with the Catalyst Education team to navigate the challenges of operating Registered Training Organisations coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic, collaborated with the Catalyst team to develop and implement an impact management and measurement strategy, and assisted brokering strategic partnerships with aligned organisations’ across the care sectors.
Our People
We believe in a future where compassion thrives; where people support each other to connect, belong and to feel valued at every stage of their lives.
The Catalyst Education team brings a wealth of experience and know-how in their areas of expertise. The team’s primary focus is to empower staff to deliver a unique, human-centered education and training approach that delivers future-ready professionals, armed with the knowledge, skills and capabilities needed to create a compassionate society.
Our Leadership Team comprise highly-skilled individuals with specific industry knowledge and experience in building and growing successful businesses.
Kean has an enduring passion and commitment to advancing the transformative effect that harmonised education and training can have to advance the economic, social and cultural care, wellbeing and prosperity of our society and the diverse communities in which we work and live, for future generations.
Over the last twenty-five years, Kean has built a broad and significant portfolio of achievement as a senior executive, CEO and board director across the intersecting lenses of vocational, industry and higher education and training in Australia and the Indo-Pacific.
Kean holds a BBus Marketing (Monash) and a GradDip Management (Victoria). He has completed the Senior Executive Programme at the London Business School, the Executive Certificate of Global Strategy and Innovation at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and the Executive Colloquium at the Cranlana Centre for Ethical Leadership. He has been a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (FAICD) since 2003.
As Group CFO and Company Secretary, Salil brings dual expertise in financial leadership and strategic governance to Catalyst Education. With an MBA in Finance, CA designation, and GAICD credentials plus 17+ years in commercial finance, he combines analytical rigor with forward-thinking strategy.
Since joining Catalyst, Salil has driven growth and profitability while building robust operational systems. He champions data-driven decision-making, creating an analytics culture that delivers stronger commercial outcomes and innovation.
Balancing risk management with strategic partnership, he ensures sustainable operations while supporting organizational growth. Catalyst’s values-driven approach to compassionate care has profoundly shaped Salil’s leadership philosophy and work methodology.
In her role as Group Corporate Governance Manager, Danielle ensures the smooth running of board and executive operations, helping Catalyst to meet legislative obligations while also supporting strategic decision-making processes.
With her significant background in public sector governance, Danielle is well-versed in creating systems that foster integrity. Danielle takes pride in supporting teams to achieve their individual and shared goals, and values working within a company that makes a real difference.
Danielle holds a BA (Otago), GradDip Education (Monash) and a GradDip Applied Corporate Governance and Risk Management (GIA). She is also a member of the Governance Institute of Australia.
For over a decade at Catalyst, Syachfri has been the quiet force behind our digital transformation. What started as fixing servers evolved into reimagining how education technology can truly serve people.
From Infrastructure Coordinator to Head of Data and Technology, he’s built systems that don’t just work, they work beautifully. Armed with his RMIT Business IT degree and pursuing CISSP certification, Syachfri creates solutions that strengthen connections between educators, learners, and families.
Esther Wong, a Certified Practising Accountant (CPA), is a strategic finance leader with nearly a decade at Catalyst Education. She has progressed from Finance Manager to Head of Finance, where she plays a critical role in driving sustainable growth, regulatory excellence, and meaningful impact in the care and education sectors.
Esther brings cross-sector experience from Toll Logistics, Motorola, and Colonial First State, blending sharp financial strategy with a deep understanding of compliance and forecasting.
Known for her pragmatic, people-first leadership style, she is passionate about creating value through purposeful decision-making—inspired by personal experience as a family caregiver.
Jeanne is passionate about building people-centred workplaces where compliance, care and culture go hand in hand. With a background in administration and customer service in community-focused organisations, she brings practical insight and warmth to her leadership.
Since joining Catalyst Education in 2022 and growing her career in HR, she has overseen the full employee lifecycle, focusing on enhancing the employee experience through effective HR operations, compliance and organisational development. Complemented by a Bachelor of Business (HR Management),
Jeanne brings a collaborative and values-led approach, partnering with managers to lead with clarity, confidence and compassion, ensuring people and ultimately communities thrive.
Tiana has been with Catalyst Education for five years and currently leads Marketing and process coordination across its diverse portfolios. She is passionate about creating innovative, learner-centred strategies that enhance the student experience and strengthen client engagement.
Her approach focuses on designing impactful initiatives that improve communication, streamline processes, and deliver effective marketing outcomes. Tiana thrives on finding practical solutions that achieve measurable results and support lasting positive impact.
With a strong background in youth-focused programs and deep ties to the care sector, she remains committed to creating meaningful learning journeys that make a real difference.
Katherine is an impact driven leader with a passion for making a positive difference in peoples lives. She has over 20 years experience in Early Childhood Education and care and the Vocational Education and Training sector, as well as extensive experience in leadership and management. These skills allow her to lead effective teams, drive innovation and contemporary practice and embed sector advocacy into our Training and Learning delivery.
Katherine brings a strong commitment to creating meaningful change and leading teams through care, empowerment, enrichment and collective purpose to deliver high quality training and assessment outcomes for learners.
Larissa is the Head of Growth and Partnerships at Catalyst Education where she leads the growth and partnerships team. She is passionate about shaping the future of education and care by empowering professionals across early childhood and aged care through high-quality training.
With over 10 years’ experience in early childhood, including leading high-performing, multidisciplinary teams as a Centre Director, Larissa brings deep sector insight. She holds a Certificate III and Diploma in Early Childhood Education and a Bachelor of Arts in Social and Cultural Analysis. Larissa is committed to cultural inclusion and uniting professionals through strong, impactful partnerships.
With over a decade in the vocational education and training sector, Aruna is driven by purpose, compassion, and a commitment to meaningful impact.
As Head of Quality and Curriculum, Aruna oversees compliance, curriculum development, and continuous improvement with focus on empowering others to embed quality from the outset and developing flexible and inclusive training programs that respond to learner and industry needs.
Aruna’s parental journey deeply informs her work and fuels her dedication to improving access to education and care for children with additional needs.
Katherine is an impact driven leader with a passion for making a positive difference in peoples lives. She has over 20 years experience in Early Childhood Education and care and the Vocational Education and Training sector, as well as extensive experience in leadership and management. These skills allow her to lead effective teams, drive innovation and contemporary practice and embed sector advocacy into our Training and Learning delivery.
Katherine brings a strong commitment to creating meaningful change and leading teams through care, empowerment, enrichment and collective purpose to deliver high quality training and assessment outcomes for learners.
Larissa is the Head of Growth and Partnerships at Catalyst Education where she leads the growth and partnerships team. She is passionate about shaping the future of education and care by empowering professionals across early childhood and aged care through high-quality training.
With over 10 years’ experience in early childhood, including leading high-performing, multidisciplinary teams as a Centre Director, Larissa brings deep sector insight. She holds a Certificate III and Diploma in Early Childhood Education and a Bachelor of Arts in Social and Cultural Analysis. Larissa is committed to cultural inclusion and uniting professionals through strong, impactful partnerships.
With over a decade in the vocational education and training sector, Aruna is driven by purpose, compassion, and a commitment to meaningful impact.
As Head of Quality and Curriculum, Aruna oversees compliance, curriculum development, and continuous improvement with focus on empowering others to embed quality from the outset and developing flexible and inclusive training programs that respond to learner and industry needs.
Aruna’s parental journey deeply informs her work and fuels her dedication to improving access to education and care for children with additional needs.
Nikita is deeply committed to ensuring children receive the best possible start in life through high-quality early learning experiences. A passionate and supportive leader, Nikita is dedicated to guiding and inspiring a team of trainer and assessors. She empowers others through effective training, mentorship, and leadership, helping to build strong, knowledgeable teams.
She believes that ensuring a meaningful learning journey for educators will mean they have the skills and knowledge to provide nurturing and engaging learning environments for children.
Nikita brings nearly 10 years of experience in training and assessment and over five years of expertise in the Early Childhood Education and Care sector.
Ashley is passionate about the power of education to change lives. Having come from a background in government social services, she has seen firsthand how access to training can open doors, build confidence, and create lasting opportunities for individuals and their communities.
With nearly a decade of experience in the VET sector, she has worked across admissions, student services, and program coordination. Ashley’s career has been driven by a commitment to student outcomes and a deep connection with learners from diverse backgrounds and industries.
Larissa is the Head of Growth and Partnerships at Catalyst Education where she leads the growth and partnerships team. She is passionate about shaping the future of education and care by empowering professionals across early childhood and aged care through high-quality training.
With over 10 years’ experience in early childhood, including leading high-performing, multidisciplinary teams as a Centre Director, Larissa brings deep sector insight. She holds a Certificate III and Diploma in Early Childhood Education and a Bachelor of Arts in Social and Cultural Analysis. Larissa is committed to cultural inclusion and uniting professionals through strong, impactful partnerships.
With over 36 years in vocational education and training (VET), Maria Luisa began as a trainer in business and hospitality and built a career across training and assessment design, compliance, and quality assurance.
She holds a Bachelor’s in Business Education (PUP), a Master of Education (UTS), and a Diploma of Quality Auditing (TAFE). Maria is passionate about the impact of VET in transforming lives,
believing in its power to provide practical skills that lead to employment opportunities and personal growth.