Managers & Staff
Patricia Neden
Chief Executive Officer
Patricia Neden is well known in the vocational education and training sector particularly in her former role as Deputy Secretary of the Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development, and responsible for Skills Victoria (formerly known as the Office of Training and Tertiary Education – OTTE), and previously as General Manager of the Training Operations at OTTE.
Patricia’s vast experience covers policy, inter-governmental negotiations, national systems implementation and purchasing arrangements with service providers. She has previously held senior positions in other Victorian Government departments, including industry and labour. Patricia has also spent time in the private sector, working predominantly in information technology and manufacturing in Victoria and overseas, and in the mining industry in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. She has extensive knowledge and a strong commitment to innovation, filling the skills gaps and enhancing the VET sector to benefit the Australian economy which are invaluable to the continuing work of IBSA.
Cherry Cole
General Manager
Cherry has over 15 years experience in the vocational education and training (VET) sector. During that time she has managed multiple projects relating to the national ICT Training Package and support material activities; developed concept and strategy papers for key players in the IT&T industry Skills Taskforce forum; written various ICT labour market reports; established national, state and territory networks in the ICT and VET sectors; and held various board appointments.
Prior to joining IBSA, Cherry operated her own consulting business with a primary focus on people and organisation effectiveness, business development and change management.
Previously, Cherry held general management and human resource roles in the telecommunications, information technology and federal, state and local government sectors.
Cherry is a Certified Professional with the Australian HumanResources Institute (CAHRI). She has held a number of industry and VET Board positions, including Ex-officio Board Member of the Australian National Training Authority, Chair of the Standards & Curriculum Council and Director of the National Training Board.
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