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 Board of Directors comprise highly-skilled individuals with specific industry knowledge and experience in building and growing successful businesses.
David Barnett
Non- Executive Chair
David has spent thirty-six years in the education industry, holding a number of senior leadership positions in Australia and across the Asia Pacific region at Pearson, the global education company. He was particularly closely involved in leading Pearson Australia’s transformation from a print and analogue business to a significant provider of digital products and services, with a greater focus on the learner.
In recent years, David has taken on various new roles in the education field, further showcasing his dedication to the industry. In 2022, he joined the board of E2, an edtech company, as a non-executive director and Chair. He has also provided advisory services to Adventus, an international student recruitment platform, and KordaMentha, an advisory and investment firm.
In 2023, David served as the Interim Chief Operating Officer & Vice President at the University of Canberra. He has also joined the Board of Victoria University Online, where he currently serves as the Chair.
David has held previous non-executive roles, including serving as the Chair of Robert Menzies College, a residential college at Macquarie University, and as a Director of the Copyright Agency.
He is a graduate of Macquarie University, MGSM, and the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Chris Yoo
Non-Executive Director
Chris has 15 years’ experience as a private equity investor and corporate advisor. Chris was previously a Partner with Crescent Capital partners, Principal with Bain Capital Asia and a strategy consultant with Bain & Company.
Chris is an Executive Director at For Purpose Investment Partners, is the Chair of the Refugee Advice & Casework Service (RACS), Australia’s oldest and largest asylum seeker community legal centre.
Chris has held numerous corporate directorships, in particular across the healthcare sector, and holds a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Engineering from the University of Sydney.
Michael Trail
Non-Executive Director
Michael was the founding CEO of Social Ventures Australia from 2002 -14. Prior to this role, Michael spent 15 years as a Co-Founder and Executive Director of Macquarie Bank’s private equity arm, Macquarie Direct Investment. In his time there, the Macquarie Direct Investment team invested in 43 businesses generating a gross rate of return of 32.3%. Michael chairs Australia’s largest charitable foundation, the Paul Ramsay Foundation, is a Director of Australian Retirement Trust, MH Carnegie & Co., Australian Philanthropic Services and Hearts & Minds Investments and was previously Chair of Goodstart Early Learning.
Michael Chairs the Federal Government Social Impact Investing Taskforce and is the author ‘Jumping Ship – from the world of corporate Australia to the heart of social investment’, Winner Ashurst Business Literature Prize 2017.
Michael holds a BA (Hons) from the University of Melbourne and an MBA from Harvard Business School.
Pam Christie
Non-Executive Director
Pam has extensive experience working in the NSW and Australian governments in senior executive roles in the areas of vocational education and training, higher education, regulation and aged care.
Pam is Executive Director, Strategic Capability with the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission. Pam previously led TAFE NSW through a period of transformational change as Managing Director. She commenced her career as a secondary teacher and is passionate about empowering people through education and training.
Pam holds a BA (Macquarie University), Dip Ed and Grad Dip Ed Studies. She is an AICD graduate and Senior Fellow, University of Melbourne.
Our Leadership Team comprise highly-skilled individuals with specific industry knowledge and experience in building and growing successful businesses.
Kean Selway
Group Chief Executive Officer
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, through the intersecting lenses of vocational, industry and higher education and training in Australia and the Indo-Pacific, Kean has built a broad and significant portfolio of achievement as a senior executive, CEO and board director. He has led transformational change and growth across a diverse spectrum of business and education operations, industry and government partnerships, and educational market development in contemporary, dynamic and complex regulatory, industry and community contexts.
Kean holds a Bachelor of Business (Monash), Graduate Diploma of Management (Victoria) and an Executive Certificate in Global Strategy and Innovation (MIT). He is also a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (FAICD).
Salil Gupta
Group CFO and Company Secretary
As Group CFO and Company Secretary, Salil Gupta plays a critical dual role at Catalyst Education, blending financial leadership with a strategic mindset. Holding an MBA in Finance & Statistics, Chartered Accountant designation, and GAICD credentials along with over 15 years of experience in commercial finance, business reporting and planning, Salil brings strong analytical expertise and a forward-thinking approach to his work.
Since joining Catalyst in 2017, Salil has been instrumental in driving growth and profitability while implementing systems that support sustainable operations.
A firm believer in data-driven decisions, he’s created a culture of analytics that supports better commercial outcomes and fosters innovation. His role also involves balancing risk management and governance while acting as a key partner to the CEO and Senior Leadership Team.
For Salil, Catalyst’s values and commitment to compassion and purposeful impact has been transformative for his approach to work as well as in deepening his own sense of compassion.
As a leader, he empowers his team to take ownership, valuing their contributions and ensuring their successes are celebrated. Outside of work, he’s full of surprises — a former professional snooker player, lover of zombie films, and he makes a mean chicken Caesar salad.
Danielle Fraser
Group Corporate Governance Manager
In her role as Group Corporate Governance Manager, Danielle ensures the smooth running of board, executive and committee 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 and efficiency. Danielle takes pride in supporting teams to achieve their individual and shared goals, and she values working within a company that makes a real difference.
Danielle holds a Bachelor of Arts (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.
Ellie Shay
Head of Growth and Partnerships
Ellie Shay leads with innovation and a can-do attitude as Catalyst’s Head of Growth and Partnerships. Her role focuses on building strong connections with industry partners, supporting clients, and enhancing learner experiences from enrolment through to graduation.
Ellie manages a team dedicated to ensuring training programs are tailored to the needs of both learners and organisations, delivering quality outcomes for all.
With six years at Catalyst, Ellie excels at creating innovative training solutions that directly meet needs.
She is most proud of her role in implementing the Catalyst Careforce model – an inspiring initiative designed to provide wraparound support for learners and partners alike while maximising impact across the care and education sectors.
Ellie leads with kindness and trust, fostering a flexible and supportive work environment for her team. Beyond Catalyst, Ellie is a dedicated advocate for social impact as a board member of The RADO Foundation, which focuses on breaking down barriers to education and creating positive change.
Katherine Hussar
Head of Training and Learning
Katherine has over 17 years’ experience in the early childhood education and care sector and over 6 years’ in the VET sector and holds a Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood Education and Care).
Throughout Katherine’s career she has developed a strong knowledge and understanding of the community services sectors and is committed to leading her team of trainers with purpose and passion with a commitment to advocacy and making a difference. Katherine is focussed on creating positive outcomes for learners and delivering high quality, compassionate graduates for the early childhood and aged care professions.
Sally Forbes
Aged Care Training Manager
Sally has dedicated 20+ years to the aged care sector, starting as a personal care worker and now leading as Catalyst’s Aged Care Training Manager. Sally is passionate about creating a meaningful impact on the aged care sector by ensuring that learners leave Catalyst as compassionate, skilled, and empathetic carers.
As a leader, Sally’s approach is grounded firmly in kindness, enthusiasm, and leading by example. She works closely with her team to deliver training that is rigorous, adaptable, and aligned with the needs of clients and learners.
Sally is proud to oversee programs that adapt to the changing demands of the aged care industry, such as addressing workforce shortages and incorporating post-Royal Commission best practices. For Sally, the most fulfilling part of her role is watching trainers and learners grow, from their first steps into the sector to becoming capable and empathetic carers and strong advocates for the elderly.
Aruna Joshi
Head of Quality and Curriculum
With over a decade in vocational education, Aruna Joshi leads Catalyst’s Quality and Curriculum team, overseeing compliance and curriculum development. Her role centres around maintaining regulatory and funding compliance, developing training programs, and ensuring continuous improvement through feedback from learners, staff, and industry stakeholders.
Aruna aims to make compliance approachable and accessible, with the goal of empowering teams with knowledge to integrate quality into their work from the get-go. She believes that compliance isn’t just about meeting standards — it’s about fostering a culture of quality that benefits learners, teams, and the organisation.
A strong advocate for equity in education, Aruna is dedicated to creating flexible and accessible learning opportunities for all particularly for women and individuals balancing education with their personal commitments. Known for her integrity and honesty, Aruna is respected for her straightforward approach and commitment to fostering growth and resilience in those she leads.
Aruna’s resilience and compassion are deeply rooted in her personal journey as a mother of two young boys, including her specially-abled older son.
Parenting has been her greatest teacher, inspiring her commitment to the community services sector. She is passionate about contributing to the development of training programs that strengthen support systems for children with additional needs at different stages of their lives.
Syachfri Tjhia
Head of Data and Technology
Since joining the Catalyst team in 2012, Syachfri has played a key role in transforming the organisation’s approach to technology. Starting as an Infrastructure Coordinator, Syachfri quickly identified opportunities to improve business processes and became a driving force in using technology to achieve greater efficiency and effectiveness. Now, as Head of Data and Technology, he oversees everything from infrastructure and automation to data governance.
Syachfri holds a Bachelor of Business (Information Technology) from RMIT University and is currently working towards his Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) certification.
Syachfri’s focus is on creating solutions that make life better for everyone — improving processes for the team, learners, and clients alike. He believes that thoughtful use of technology can elevate the learning experiences, strengthen relationships, and foster a positive cycle of impact across the care and education sectors.
A natural innovator, Syachfri is all about exploring new ideas and pushing boundaries. This carries through outside of work too ‑ he channels his love for adventure into mountain treks and a passion for gaming. His unique mix of technical expertise and creative thinking drives his success in creating meaningful change.
Esther Wong
Head of Finance
With nearly a decade at Catalyst Education, Esther Wong has advanced from Finance Manager to Head of Finance, bringing a wealth of expertise to the Senior Leadership Team. Her role extends beyond traditional finance, driving cross-functional collaboration and leveraging her expertise in forecasting, compliance, and financial strategy to guide Catalyst toward sustainable growth and meaningful impact.
Before joining Catalyst, Esther gained extensive experience in financial management, regulatory compliance, and performance optimization through roles at Toll Logistics, Motorola, and Colonial First State Asset Management.
Known for her pragmatic, results-oriented approach, Esther is deeply committed to making decisions that positively influence the care sector, inspired by her own experiences with family caregiving.
A leader with a down-to-earth style, Esther fosters a culture of trust, independence, and collaboration within her team, celebrating both large and small successes. Outside of work, she is an avid runner, having completed numerous half-marathons.
Esther holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) from the University of Adelaide and is a Certified Practising Accountant (CPA).