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go8Mr Michael Gallagher – Executive Director

Prior to his appointment in May 2007 as Executive Director of the Go8 Michael was Director of Policy and Planning at The Australian National University.

He was responsible for Commonwealth administration of higher education from 1990-1994 and again from 2000-2002.  Between 1994 and 1996 he was head of Department of Employment Education and Training Corporate Services. From 2002 to 2003 he was head of Australian Education International within the Department of Education, Science and Training.

He has a long history in the education industry including as a teacher and lecturer at secondary and tertiary level and as a member of the Wran Committee on Higher Education Financing in 1987. Michael has worked overseas for the World Bank and also continues to undertake work for the OECD on higher education issues.
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Michael Gallagher
   
go8Ms Kerrie Thornton – Director, Communications & International Kerrie
Kerrie joined the Go8 team in 2004. She has worked in The Australian National University’s international education office and previous experience includes four years as an adviser in Federal Parliament, two years as an adviser in NSW Parliament and two years in media relations for the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. She speaks fluent German.
   
go8Mr Alan Mackay – Director, Information Strategy Alan
Alan commenced with the Go8 in February 2008. Prior to that, he worked at senior levels in the Australian Bureau of Statistics. His career has included economic, industry, social and labour statistics as well as corporate projects. Alan has also worked on health financing policy development and program administration. He is a graduate of the University of New England and the Australian National University, with qualifications in Science and Economics.
   
go8Dr Ian McMahon – Director, Research
Ian commenced with the Go8 in June 2009 being previously the Director of the Research Office at The Australian National University. He joined the ANU after spending ten years in research and science policy in Commonwealth Departments responsible for science, research and education. Ian is a graduate of The University of Queensland and The Australian National University, holding a doctorate in Chemistry.
   
go8Ms Bernadine Caruana - Director, Policy
Bernadine spent most of her professional career at the Commonwealth Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, working on higher education and international education policy development. She lived in Vietnam from 2004 to 2007 where she worked on education-related issues. She is a graduate of La Trobe University and The Australian National University, with qualifications in Economics and Management. She has been with the Go8 since February 2009 and has primary policy responsibility for funding, equity, quality assurance and academic standards.
   
go8Ms Margaret Heagney – National Student Equity Convenor
Margaret co-ordinates the Go8’s equity initiatives and undertakes research and analysis on how best the Go8 can contribute to making Australian higher education more inclusive. She developed her skills in the field of student equity during her time as Co-ordinator of the Student Equity Unit at Monash University and prior to that as National Organiser of the Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations. Her primary research projects have resulted in publications on the access and retention of students from groups under-represented in higher education.

go8Ms Helen Montesin – Manager, Information & Analysis Helen
Before commencing her work with Go8, Helen was previously the Statistics and Surveys Officer at The University of Canberra, and had worked in statistical consultancy for several years. Helen is a graduate of the ANU and Canberra College of Advanced Education.
   
go8Ms Jane Liang – Communications & International Officer

 Jane
Jane commenced full-time with the Go8 in February 2008. Jane holds a Master of New Media Arts (Digital Media) from the Australian National University, a Graduate Diploma in Interpreting and Translation from UWS, a Bachelor of Arts in English in China and is a NAATI accredited professional translator (English - Chinese).
   

Ms Susie Barratt– Office Manager

Susie
Before commencing with the Group of Eight in July 2008, Susie was the Executive Assistant to the Chief Executive at the Australian Academy of Science. She has extensive experience in office administration. Susie is currently doing a Bachelor of Business Informatics at the University of Canberra.
   

Ms Meagan James– Administration and Communication Assistant

meagan

Meagan commenced with the Group of Eight in January 2010. After finishing year 12 in 2006 she worked in administration at a rehabilitation provider for 3 years. Meagan is currently undertaking the double degree, Bachelor of Laws/ Bachelor of Advertising and Marketing Communications at the University of Canberra.