13 MarELAA announces new Board appointments for 2025
Early Learning Association Australia (ELAA) is pleased to announce the following changes to our Board.
Aileen Ashford has been appointed as Chairperson. Aileen has a deep understanding of issues impacting Victorian children developed over her extensive 40-year career. She was the CEO at Kids First Australia for 11 years, an Australian Early Years Management and Child and Family Services organisation, and prior to this role, she was the Tasmanian Children’s Commissioner.
Samantha Kolasa has been appointed as Deputy Chairperson. Samantha is the Chief Executive Officer of Glen Education – an Early Years Management organisation in metropolitan Melbourne. Samantha has extensive experience in the community services and government sectors, delivering services to families and children across the entire life span. In addition to her role as Deputy Chair at ELAA, she is also a Board Director at Better Health Network and Chair of the People and Culture Sub-Committee.
ELAA also welcomes two new members to the Board.
Stuart Braganza-Travis is an Executive Director at Early Childhood Management Services (ECMS), one of the largest Early Years Managers in Victoria. Stuart has a background in law, human resources, strategy, and risk. He brings extensive experience in organisational transformation and development to the Board.
Hugh Bastiaan is the Group Chief Operating Officer at William Buck, a leading Australian and New Zealand accounting and advisory firm. Hugh brings to the Board a strong background and extensive experience in law and finance. He is also the President of Davis Street Kindergarten in Kew, Victoria.
