Our Board
Selecting an option will move you to a different section of the page.
President
-
Mr David Dinte
BEc, LLB, MAICDMr Dinte is a property developer with extensive experience in commercial, retail, industrial and residential development, acquisition and management in both Australia and the United States of America. Mr Dinte is a Director of Souths Cares. He is a member of the International Council of Shopping Centres. Mr Dinte joined the board in 2000, was appointed a Vice President in 2009. In December 2019, Mr Dinte was appointed President and Chairman of the Board. He is also a Life Member of NextSense.
Vice Presidents
-
Mr Matt Pearce
Mr Pearce has an extensive career in media and events. He has worked in newspapers and magazines and, for the last 18 years, events. He has strong mergers and acquisition experience and sits on a number of industry boards. He has been involved in hearing services in Victoria for the last 25 years, previously serving as Chairman and Board Director for Taralye and Taralye Foundation. Mr Pearce joined the board in 2018 and was appointed a Vice President in 2021.
-
The Hon Robyn Parker
DipEd, DipTeach, GAICDMsRobyn Parker has over 30 years of public sector experience. Beginning with roles in child and family services across a number of disadvantaged communities, Robyn spent 14 years as a TAFE teacher of child studies and as a CEO of ageing and disability organisation. She also spent 12 years as an MLC, MP and Cabinet Minister in the NSW Government. Currently, Robyn serves as a non-executive director of several not-for-profit and government boards such as Hume Housing and Hunter Local Land Services. Robyn joined the Board in 2019 and was appointed Vice President in 2024.
Directors
-
Clinical Professor Catherine Birman OAM
MBBS, PhD, FRACS, GAICDClinical Professor Birman is one of the most experienced cochlear implant surgeons in the world, having performed almost 2000 cochlear implant procedures for children and adults from three months to well over 90 years.
-
Mr Charles M Cowper
BA, LLB, FAICDCharles Cowper is a solicitor and former partner of national commercial law firms, Corrs Chambers Westgarth and Gadens Lawyers. He is currently a consultant to global law firm Dentons. He is an acknowledged expert in mergers and acquisitions, corporate law and governance. He has held board positions in a range of for profit and for purpose organisations including in education, on the Council of Shore School and in disability, as a director of Royal Blind Society of New South Wales. He is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Charles joined the board in May 2017.
-
Mr Rod Jackson
MBA, BEc, GAICD, FCPA, FFINMr Jackson is non-executive director of a range of businesses. Domestically, Mr Jackson is a Director of NextSense, NGM Group, FINSIA, Searson Buck Group and Chair of the ODEO Group. Internationally, he has been Chair of Westpac Europe Ltd and is Adviser to Executive Global Network in Singapore. In financial services, Mr Jackson worked as an executive at Westpac Banking Corporation for over 40 years, 11 of which was spent in Asia and Europe. Mr Jackson has been a chief financial officer (CFO) or chief operating officer (CEO) for the last 20 years and retired from the role of CFO of Westpac Institutional Bank in January 2021. He joined the NextSense Board in 2023.
-
Ms Jane Simmons PSM
BMus, MEd (Admin)Ms Jane Simmons PSM has more than 35 years’ experience in public education leadership positions, with significant expertise in leading others through change. Ms Simmons recently retired as Deputy Director-General of the ACT Government’s Education Directorate and has held a number of executive leadership positions within the NSW Department of Education. Ms Simmons is a member of several jurisdictional and national boards and committees, including the Australian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (ACARA) Board, and is an Adjunct Professor at Macquarie University and the University of Canberra. In 2020, she was awarded a Public Service Medal for her services to education.