Meet the Siena College Board
processing...
SIENA CENTRAL
Imagehow can we help?help
Imagehow can we help?
Siena College

A CATHOLIC COLLEGE IN THE DOMINICAN TRADITION

Hamburger-Menu
  • search-icon
  • call-icon
College Governance

Australian Values and Democratic Principles

Siena College supports and promotes the principles and practice of Australian democracy in its programs and teaching. This includes a commitment to:

  • Elected Government
  • The rule of law
  • Equal rights for all before the law
  • Freedom of religion
  • Freedom of speech and association
  • The values of openness and tolerance

The Siena College Board supports the College, promoting the wellbeing and learning of all students and providing an environment in which the College continues to flourish. The Board has a strong commitment to preserving and fostering the Catholic identity and the Dominican charism upon which the College was founded. The Directors of the Board are accountable for the sound governance of the College. They provide strategic direction and contribute legal, financial and other professional expertise to the governance of the College.

The Siena College Board is assisted by four advisory committees which support the Siena College Board in its governance role: the Finance Committee, the Strategic Property Committee, the Policy Committee and the Risk Management Committee.

Introducing the Siena College Board


Judith Potter
Board Chair
Qualifications: B.A., Grad Dip Ed; Grad Dip Ed Admin, M.Ed. FACEL (Vic)

Judith is an alumna of the College with almost 42 years experience as an educator in Catholic, government and independent and Catholic schools. She was most recently Principal of Loreto College Ballarat for almost fifteen years, retiring in 2020. For over fifteen years, she has been a member of The Invergowrie Foundation (TIF) Finance and Risk Committee and Council. The core of the foundation is supporting the advancement of girls education across Victoria.


Laura McRae (Class of 2001)

Deputy Chair
Qualifications: BA; LLB (Hons)

Laura was appointed to the Board in September 2021. Laura has practiced in construction law in both private practice and in house for over fourteen years. Laura is an alumna of Siena College (Class of 2001).

David Hawkins
Qualifications: B.Eng (Hons), B.Sc, MBA, HonFellow Monash, GAICD

David joined the Siena board in July 2025 and has served on the risk committee since 2023. David has over 30 years of experience in manufacturing, distribution and science related industries in a broad variety of roles including over 15 years in senior leadership and board chair roles. He is the father of 3 daughters who have attended Siena College, twins India and Macy who are completing Year 12 in 2025 and Amali who graduated in 2023.

Philip Grant

Qualifications: BA; LLB; LLM, Graduate Certificate in Organisational Dynamics

Philip joined the Siena College Board in January 2022 and has been a member of the Siena College Policy Committee since 2019. For the last twelve years, he has been employed at RMIT University, involved in the research and innovation field. Philip also has over twenty years experience in legal/corporate roles in public sector organisations. Philip's wife Therese Gilligan is an alumna of the College. In 2022, Philip and Therese cofounded 4Cats Art Education, which continues to publish art education resource material for VCE students and teachers. Philip's daughters, Chloe and Jorgie, are current students at Siena College.

Jaclyn Trounce
Qualifications: B. Comm; BA; Grad Dip CA (CA), Diploma of Financial Planning

Jaclyn was appointed to the Siena College Board in 2024. Jaclyn has over eighteen years’ experience in the areas of taxation, estate and succession planning and business services. She is a qualified Chartered Accountant, SMSF Specialist and Registered Financial Advisor with ASIC. Jaclyn in an alumna of Siena College (Class of 1999).

Nicola Quin
Qualifications: Bachelor of Business, Master of International Business, Executive Masters of Public Administration, GAICD

Nicola joined the Siena College Board in February 2024 and has served as a member of the Risk Committee since 2023. Nicola has 25 years of leadership experience in the Victorian Public Service and the not for profit sector with skills in governance, strategy, policy development and project implementation. Nicola is an alumna of Siena College (Class of 1992).


Rhys Barker

Qualifications: B.Eng (Hons), Grad Dip BA

Rhys was appointed to the Siena College Board in January 2024 and has been a member of the Siena College Policy Committee since 2017. He has broad business experience gained through a range of commercial, strategy and operational management roles in the Defence, Industrial, Resources and Social Infrastructure sectors. Rhys’ two daughters have attended Siena College, Chloe (Class of 2021) and Tess (Class of 2023).


Siena College Organisational Structure