Victoria Triggs GAICD
Chief Executive Officer 2017 to present
Victoria is an educational and leadership consultant, engaging in probono and paid employment to support school and community leaders in leadership development, governance and strategic planning.
She is an accredited school reviewer, assisting primary, secondary and specialist schools to examine student outcomes and develop directions for improvement. She conducts School Council training and induction programs.
She is an appointed lay member of the Ethics Committee of the Australian Institute of Family Studies.
Victoria recently researched and documented Women’s Housing Limited support to women and children in providing safe, secure and affordable housing choices, in acknowledgement of their 21 years of service.
She is a regular presenter to Leadership Victoria Board Leadership and specialised leadership programs, for business and community leaders.
Victoria held key educational leadership roles as a secondary school principal and as a Regional Director of Education.
Qualifications:
Accidental Company Secretary, Governance Institute of Australia
Graduate Australian Institute of Company Directors Course
Graduate Diploma Educational Administration, University of Melbourne
Leadership Victoria Fellow
Bachelor Science Education, University of Melbourne
Natalie Deacon
Engagement Support Officers Manager
Natalie had a successful career as an interior decorator with over 20 years of experience. In 2017 Natalie became a qualified Community Service worker and has enjoyed supporting at risk children in an educational setting.
Natalie is currently the Engagement Support Services Manager for TESSA Inc. Natalie supports adult learners completing Youth Work, Community Services and Social Work, who are required to complete placement hours. This is a part time role, Natalie is also employed by the Department of Education and Training.
Natalie has worked extensively with tertiary students and facilitates their training while on placement with TESSA Inc. Natalie delivers the Managing Challenging Behaviour training to all adult learners.
Additionally, Natalie manages the Engagement Support Officer program (ESO). A program which supports schools directly with the short term availability of trained ESOs. These skilled support staff work with mainstream schools to better cope with and manage students presenting high level behaviours of concern.
Natalie is currently the Chairperson for the TESSA Inc Board of Directors.
Qualifications:
Certificate IV in Community Services
Diploma of Community Services
Rodrigo Castellanos
Life Skills Manager
Rodrigo has over 15 years’ experience in project management, sustainability and environmental markets. In 2010 Rodrigo cofounded RAMP Carbon Pty Ltd while leading the development of a series of major environmental and social programs in Latin America and Africa such as distribution off-grid lighting technologies, avoided deforestation and ecological restoration projects and energy efficiency solutions for commercial buildings.
Prior to founding RAMP, Rodrigo worked as the Head of Latin America for Cool nrg, developing a successful carbon finance business model in Mexico, and overseeing the development and implementation of 10 the world’s largest energy efficient programs for households.
In 2005 Rodrigo joined as Director of Research the corporate social responsibility ratings agency RepuTex in Melbourne, Australia focusing on Risk Assessment and Carbon Finance. Prior to this he worked in the Citigroup Private Bank in New York and Mexico City.
Rodrigo has been training in the Japanese martial art of Aikido for 20 years and is currently the head instructor at SANGEN Melbourne Aikikai.
In February 2017 Rodrigo was employed as the inaugural MAT Life Skills Program Manager for TESSA Inc.
Qualifications:
Bachelor of Economics (BEc)
Clint Cassell
Professional Learning Program Manager
Clint comes from a background of extensive experience working directly with, as well as supporting staff who are working with, young people who present medium to severe levels of heightened and potentially unsafe behaviour. In his time, he has worked across a variety of school settings including mainstream primary and secondary schools, disability settings, community schools, as well as a number of alternative learning and specialised intervention settings.
Formerly managing TESSA Inc’s Engagement Support Services, Clint has been responsible for now building the Professional Learning Program and its offerings up to its current level. He works closely with his team and continues to update, modify and create new programs to ensure that content is current and offerings meet existing school needs. He has also worked closely with the Victorian Department of Education for the past 7 years, where TESSA Professional learning is currently one of two preferred providers in this area.
As both a facilitator and coach, Clint has received consistently strong positive feedback over the years, drawing on his considerable knowledge and experience in the field. With a wholistic and collaborative style of approach, Clint specialises in working with people and finding solutions that will lead to improvement for all.
Beyond his work with TESSA Inc, Clint has run art workshops and studied martial arts for many years. He has also organised engaging medieval inspired community activities for young people! His other interests include philosophy and music.
Clint personal view is that adversity leads to growth and ‘a challenge is an opportunity’.
Qualifications:
Certificate IV in training and assessment
Steve Golding
Life Skills Project Development
For over 25 years Steve has worked with disengaged and at-risk individuals in a variety of settings including emergency accommodation, substance abuse and psychiatric services, custody and justice programs and alternative education settings. It was with this wealth of experience that in 2002 Steve founded the Martial Arts Therapy program combining the principles of psychosocial competency with those of traditional martial arts training techniques as a way of communicating and engaging with at risk individuals, primarily young people.
Since then, the MAT Program has benefited thousands of children across hundreds of schools and community agencies in Victoria with its value base and therapeutic approach to managing challenging behaviours.
With a passion for martial arts and its therapeutic benefits Steve has trained in a variety of martial arts for the past 30 years. In 2013 Steve was mentioned positively in the Victorian Parliament for his contribution to the community in working with young people.
Steve was the inaugural Chairman and Public Officer to lead the establishment of TESSA Inc., formerly (MATA Inc.)
Steve piloted and aide the development of the Education Support Officer Placement model in Ballarat, via funding from the Hugh Williamson Foundation.