Our People

Cleo Westhorpe

FOUNDER

Cleo is an accomplished and highly regarded secondary school teacher, geographer and mentor in the world of education. Equal parts educator and entrepreneur, Cleo loves working with students, teachers and principals to foster classrooms and schools where all voices are heard, amplified and embraced. She has co-authored the Geography Alive textbook series, now in its eighth version.

Belinda Harries

FOUNDER

Belinda is a seasoned Australian education policy expert, having spent many years in senior roles within the Commonwealth and Victorian state governments. Qualified in economics, Bel is a dynamic thinker willing to embrace and develop outside-the-box opportunities. She has combined her government career with ventures including founding a development think-tank in Vanuatu. 

Nirelle Bennett

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

Nirelle has a wealth of experience in  corporate operations with qualifications and experience in sales, marketing and project management. She loves dynamic environments and turning her hands to anything, from demanding corporate firms (Ernst & Young, Corrs Chambers Westgarth) to building her own tourism business in Thailand. She overseas our Schools Team to ensure we operate efficiently, effectively and exceed our client expectations.

Dr Bronwyn Hinz

HEAD OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Bronwyn is a highly experienced researcher specialising in schooling policies, education system reform and federalism in Australia and internationally. Her award-winning research is regularly cited by government, the media and education stakeholders. Her career is driven by a passion and belief that deeper knowledge, student voice, better collaboration and intelligent resource allocation are keys to setting up all students, teachers and schools to excel. 

Dr Tim O'Leary

CONSULTANT

Tim is an experienced educator, school leader, consulting statistician and researcher who has a passion for the effective use of data, in its many forms, to improve student outcomes.  He has recently completed his PhD at the University of Melbourne’s Graduate School of Education under the tutelage of Professors John Hattie and Patrick Griffin.

Cassie McGannon

CONSULTANT

Cassie is an education policy and strategy adviser with experience across government and not-for-profits in Australia and the US. She works with Pivot to provide school and system leaders with clear insights from their teachers’ Pivot survey data.

Jordana Hunter

CONSULTANT

Jordana has an extensive background in public policy design and implementation, with expertise in school education reform, human services and regulation. She is a former Fellow in the School Education Program at the Grattan Institute and has also held senior roles in the ACCC. Jordana is currently undertaking a PhD in education system reform. She has a particular interest in designing government policy to support quality teaching and evidence-based literacy instruction in the early years.

Karen McMillan

PSYCHOLOGIST

Karen McMillan (MAPS) is an organisational psychologist with over 25 years experience who has specialised in executive coaching and leadership development in both the public and private sectors. Karen also has experience working in the school system as both a teacher and as a school counsellor in Victoria, Tasmania and NSW. She is passionate about helping teachers to develop their potential and build wiser teaching practice.

Audrey Colbert

SCHOOL PARTNERSHIPS

Audrey has extensive administration and operations management experience across the insurance, medical and engineering industries. She is always looking to achieve the best result the easiest way, and helps all of Pivot’s clients with a smile.

Dana Maynard

SCHOOL PARTNERSHIPS

Dana is an experienced litigation lawyer having worked in law firms and government in both Australia and the UK. She brings to Pivot a keen legal mind, a strong interpersonal flair and attention to detail that enables her to build exceptional relationships with her partner schools and deliver excellent customer service.

Linda Eltham

SCHOOL PARTNERSHIPS

Linda joined Pivot from the Mitchell Institute at Victoria University where she provided executive administrative assistance to the Institute’s leadership as well as managing a number of databases. She has experience across a number of education institutions including the TAFE SA and Monash University. A keen traveller, Linda likes to walk the less-worn paths and previously worked in tourism, providing operational assistance to adventurous travellers, before settling down in Melbourne.

Vera Tomek

SCHOOL PARTNERSHIPS

Vera is a Certified Practicing Accountant and finance professional with a love of the fine detail, problem solving and database administration. With almost 20 years business analysis experience in the manufacturing industry, she now enjoys the mix of working with clients and making sure internal operations are as smooth and efficient as possible. Vera is a keen traveller and gives practical support to her favourite child-focussed charity.

Kathryn Parkins

SCHOOL PARTNERSHIPS

Kathryn comes from a sales and marketing background with Australia’s biggest retail brands. She brings her keen eye for detail and planning to her role at Pivot growing and developing partnerships with schools across the country.

Nadia Morgante

SCHOOL PARTNERSHIPS

Nadia has developed a keen eye for detail over her career in finance and bookkeeping. She brings her extensive Excel and system skills to Pivot, working behind the scenes to support the school partnership team.