Our People

Bernadette Mills

Chair

Bernadette Mills’ career started in retail fashion and business management before moving into the adult education sector. She joined the St George and Sutherland Community College (SGSCC) management team in 2011. She has gained unparalleled experience in the adult education sector, establishing herself as a respected leader within the College and the wider community.

Currently the CEO of SGSCC, she is widely known and respected for her leadership and mentorship skills and her compassion, open-mindedness, and approachability. Bernadette is not fearful of hard work and is purposeful in taking decisive action to enrich the lives of our College and community. Outside of College, with her enquiring mind and curious nature, she researches ways to develop her skills and the skills of others to create resilient people, leaders, and teams. Hence, we create compassionate communities in which we serve.

Her belief is we learn, we grow!

Debbie Laarkamp

Deputy Chair

Debbie is the General Manager of Zeal Futures Learning (RTO 90304) and has 35 years’ experience in both the private and public VET system which places her in the unique position of understanding challenges across the broader VET sector. Debbie has extensive leadership experience having held many senior leadership roles responsible for strategy, governance, risk and financial management.

Debbie has a Masters of Education, Bachelor of Adult Education, Diploma of Leadership & Management, Diploma of Project Management and is a certified Change Manager. Debbie has a passion for lifelong learning and providing opportunities for everyone to reach their potential. Debbie has held several Board positions in the non-for-profit sector and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Jade Vermeer

Treasurer

Jade Vermeer is the Chief Operating Officer at Tamworth Community College, having worked for the College for over 10 years. She holds a Diploma of Management and VET qualifications in Business. Jade’s experience spans across both the non-profit and corporate sectors, including positions at BOC Operations Centre QLD and Leighton Holdings Ltd, specialising in operational and strategic planning, leadership and accounting.

Her passion and belief in personal development and professional training have enabled her to develop a diverse range of skills including project management, change management and marketing, as well as empowering the individuals she leads to achieve outstanding goals and contribute to organisational success and her community.

Monique Knight

Director

Monique Knight is the CEO of both Parramatta and Bankstown Community Colleges, bringing a wealth of experience from both the non-profit and private sectors. Since joining CEA in 2017, Monique has demonstrated exceptional leadership and a deep commitment to education. Monique is the founder and former Director of The Hair and Beauty Academy in Penrith. Monique has been a business owner since the age of 19 and holds VET qualifications in Business Management, Retail, Beauty and Training and Assessment, complemented by an extensive background in compliance.

Her passion lies in ensuring equitable access to educational opportunities for all. Monique is known as an accomplished turnaround expert, with a proven track record of reviving underperforming Registered Training Organisations by stabilising finances, maintaining regulatory compliance and driving sustainable growth. She remains dedicated to empowering communities and making a deep impact through education.

Melanie Squires

Director

Melanie Squires is the Chief Executive Officer of Community College Northern Inland, a multi-campus community college serving regional and remote communities across the Northern Inland of New South Wales.

With extensive experience in vocational education leadership, Melanie brings a practical understanding of training delivery alongside executive oversight of governance, compliance and funding frameworks. She has led organisational reform, strengthened quality and governance systems and secured funding to support sustainable training delivery in thin and regional markets.

Melanie is a strong advocate for regional equity and place-based workforce development, working with government, industry and community partners to ensure training remains responsive to community need and supports local employment pathways.

Prior to her work in vocational education, Melanie held senior roles across media, publishing, business consulting and retail, bringing commercial insight and strategic perspective to her Board contributions.

Inga Rosenberg

Director

Inga Rosenberg is the Principal of Hornsby Ku‑ring‑gai Community College (HKCC), a long‑standing community education provider offering accredited and non‑accredited programs across arts, languages, digital literacy, employability skills, wellbeing and Adult and Community Education (ACE). She holds a Master of Arts in Geography and Tourism and is originally from Germany.

Inga has over 10 years experience in the not‑for‑profit education sector, spanning community education, employment services and program development. She joined HKCC in 2017 and became Principal in 2021, overseeing strategic program development and ensuring the College continues to deliver accessible and community‑responsive learning opportunities.

She is actively involved in regional collaboration and community engagement across the Hornsby and Ku‑ring‑gai areas, contributing to initiatives that support inclusion, participation and stronger local connections.

Inga is strongly committed to creating positive change through inclusive, meaningful learning that supports diverse learners and strengthens community connection.