Our people
Leanne Gibbs, Chief Executive Officer
Leanne has over 25 years of experience within the early childhood sector and community services. This experience is supported by qualifications in education and public policy with a Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood), Post Graduate Diploma (Teaching Gifted and Talented Children) and a Master in Politics and Public Policy.
Her roles have encompassed teacher and director of long day care and preschool programs, adviser and manager with local state and federal government and the former National Childcare Accreditation Council, teacher and lecturer within early education, management and leadership programs for TAFE and Macquarie University and manager of professional development programs for major providers. Her publications include
Action, Advocacy and Activism; Standing up for Children (2003, CCCCNSW) and
Policy Development in Early Childhood; from idea to implementation (2008, Pademelon Press). Leanne believes a strong focus on children’s well-being and civic participation together with child-centred communities ensures a promising future.
Email: leannegibbs@ccccnsw.org.au
Professional Development and Support
Marie Deverill, Manager
Marie has experience as a teacher, director and manager in a range of early childhood settings in government, private and corporate sectors, both in UK and Australia. She has a particular interest in children’s literacy. Marie has a Bachelor of Arts and Diploma of Education (Infants), a graduate certificate in Early Childhood Education and is Certificate IV qualified in Workplace Training and Assessment.
Email: mariedeverill@ccccnsw.org.au
Children’s Services Central
Carolyn McGuinness, Manager
Carolyn has a Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood) and has also completed the Diploma of Children’s Services. Carolyn has extensive experience in long day care, preschool and OOSH services with 17 years of early childhood teaching, management and advisory experience both in Australia and Canada. She has been a centre director and an area manager for both the community and private sectors.
Email: carolynmcguinness@cscentral.org.au
RTO
Arian Ploeg, Manager
Arian holds a Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood) gained through Macquarie University and is currently completing a Diploma of Business Management. After working as a teacher and Authorised Supervisor in long day care services, she moved into management positions for long day care and outside school hours care. Arian has also been an operations manager for a large organisation providing a variety of children’s services.
Email: arianploeg@ccccnsw.org.au
Finance, Systems and Human Resources
Sylvia Sekuloska, Manager
Sylvia has over 25 years of experience in accounting and finance. She spent two years as an auditor, 14 years with Sydney Water in various accounting roles, including five years as Finance Manager for the Retail Division.Sylvia’s qualifications include Bachelor of Business with a major in Accounting, an Associate Diploma in Arts with a major in Communications. Sylvia has been Certified Practising Accountant (CPA) qualified since 1998.
Email: sylviasekuloska@ccccnsw.org.au
Children’s Services Community Management (CSCM)
Danielle Gallacher, Manager
Danielle’s background in early childhood stems over 21 years with extensive experience in operational management for early childhood services. She has been involved in every aspect of childcare, from establishing new centres and being responsible for their operational management, to regulating industry standards and setting benchmarks for government. She has held senior management positions with Ramsay and Bourne, Lady Gowrie and the Department of Health and Family Services and has consulted on a variety of major projects on behalf of investors, owners, community centres and major childcare brands. Danielle has formal qualifications in Early Childhood and is also a Gestalt Psychotherapist.
Email: daniellegallacher@ccccnsw.org.au
Board of Directors
Bernadette Dunn, Chairperson
Bernadette is the Chairperson of Community Child Care Co-operative (NSW) and National Manager of Children’s Services at McArthur Management Services. She previously worked as manager of Family and Children’s Services, City of Melbourne for seven years and has 20 years extensive experience in children’s services.
Email: bernd@mcarthur.com.au
