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About ISQ
Queensland independent schools are not-for-profit education institutions that are as diverse as the students they educate and the communities they serve.
Independent Schools Queensland (ISQ) is a not-for-profit peak body, dedicated to championing independent schools across the state.
We are committed to:
- enhancing school-wide performance, robust governance and improved student outcomes
- promoting excellence and leading research in education-related public policy
- delivering quality professional learning
- fostering collaboration and continual growth across the sector
- being a united and powerful voice for Queensland independent schooling.
ISQ is governed by a Board of Directors and day-to-day operations are managed by CEO, Christopher Mountford, an executive team and more than 40 staff based in its Brisbane (Southbank) office.
ISQ's Board of Directors is chaired by Dr Phillip Moulds OAM. The Board has various associated committees.
Executive Team
Chief Executive Officer
CHRISTOPHER MOUNTFORD
Christopher Mountford was appointed the Chief Executive Officer for Independent Schools Queensland in June 2021. Previously, he held the position of Queensland Executive Director of the Property Council of Australia.
Christopher has more than two decades of experience in member-based advocacy organisations and government relations across multiple industries. Importantly, he also has an exceptional understanding of government regulation and has been influential on numerous state and local government advisory boards.
Christopher holds a Bachelor of Arts (Political Science) and a Bachelor of Economics and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD).
Chief Operating Officer
STUART McDOWALL
Stuart McDowall commenced with ISQ in 2022. He has more than 20 years of professional experience in financial, systems and project management, having worked as a management consultant and in corporate support roles. Stuart has delivered a wide range of growth and change initiatives for public sector, not-for-profit and corporate entities.
Stuart recognises the importance of education in our society and is proud to contribute to ISQ’s leadership and support to the independent school sector.
Stuart has qualifications in business and information technology and is a Chartered Accountant.
Education & School Services Director
YVONNE RIES
Yvonne Ries is a seasoned strategic leader with over 25 years of experience delivering transformative educational initiatives across schooling, vocational training, and early years. As Director, Education & School Services, she skilfully leads policy reform, regulatory strategy, and cross-sector collaboration—particularly at the nexus of education with health, justice, and community. Yvonne combines high-level planning and legislative expertise with hands-on understanding of school and early learning operations to secure impactful outcomes for individuals and organisations.
A gifted communicator with exceptional stakeholder engagement skills, Yvonne builds strong partnerships across government, sectors, and communities. She is a people-centred leader who inspires and empowers teams to achieve excellence for the organisation’s mission.
Yvonne holds a Bachelor of Laws (Honours), Bachelor of Commerce (Public Policy), Graduate Certificate in Management and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD).
Corporate Affairs Deputy Director
CALLUM BENTLEY
Callum Bentley holds the position of Corporate Affairs Deputy Director at Independent Schools Queensland, in which he oversees the organisation’s government advocacy, media relations and strategic and corporate communications functions. Callum also delivers ISQ’s Practical Media and Crisis training for member school leaders.
Callum is a former journalist and public relations professional, having worked in Australia and the United Kingdom running editorial teams and overseeing media and communications operations for major charities and organisations in the engineering, health, aerospace and not-for-profit sectors.
Callum has extensive experience managing and delivering effective crisis and corporate communication strategies for a broad range of stakeholders including business and school leaders. Callum also represents the independent schooling sector on the Queensland Futures Institute Corporate Affairs Council.
DEPUTY DIRECTOR
SCHOOL GOVERNANCE & OPERATIONS
Jane Simmonds
Jane Simmonds brings extensive experience in business management, governance and education to her role at Independent Schools Queensland (ISQ). A former independent school Business Manager and Company Secretary, Jane is a CPA-qualified accountant with tertiary qualifications in accounting, human resources and psychology. She is also a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD).
Jane’s career spans public practice and commercial accounting roles, as well as university lecturing in corporations and tax law. This diverse background has equipped her with deep expertise in board governance, financial and operational management, strategy, risk and compliance.
At ISQ, Jane leads the delivery of the ISQ Governance Program and provides tailored advice to school leaders on governance, compliance and business services. She is committed to supporting independent schools across Queensland through strategic guidance and sector-specific operational support.
Deputy Director Education Services
CATE WHITING
Cate Whiting is an experienced school leader and teaching and learning specialist with a proven record of high performance in diverse contexts. Her expertise spans leadership, staff development, curriculum, pedagogy, inclusion and engagement. She has a strong track record of driving measurable improvement in schools, strengthening engagement, safety, wellbeing and student outcomes through a focus on staff capability, systems and resourcing.
As Principal Teaching and Learning Specialist at the Australian Education Research Organisation (AERO), Cate worked with education systems, sectors, teachers, school leaders and experts to develop practical guidance and tools, characterised by strong collaboration, clarity of purpose and a commitment to supporting excellence in diverse school settings.
Cate leads a portfolio comprising teaching, learning, inclusive education and leadership. She is committed to supporting independent schools to provide outstanding education that enables students and staff to thrive, supports students to reach their full potential and continually strengthens staff practice.
HEAD OF ADVISORY & STRATEGIC PROJECTS
Thomas Booth
Thomas Booth commenced with Independent Schools Queensland in late 2025. He has more than 20 years professional experience in strategy, performance improvement and organisational change, having worked in senior leadership and advisory roles across large organisations in both the public and private sectors. Thomas has delivered a wide range of strategic planning, governance and transformation initiatives that strengthen organisational effectiveness, service delivery and stakeholder experience over the long term.
As Head of Advisory and Strategic Projects at ISQ, Thomas leads work to strengthen governance, performance and organisational effectiveness across Queensland’s independent school sector.
Thomas holds qualifications in business management and psychology and has completed professional certifications in Lean Six Sigma and Agile project delivery.
Deputy Director Employee Relations
ALEXANDRA O'BRIEN
Alexandra O'Brien brings more than 20 years of senior leadership experience across people and culture, employee relations and organisational transformation in complex and unionised environments. She has held roles across health, corrections, premier and cabinet, policing and high‑performance sport.
Throughout her career, Alexandra has led enterprise bargaining, resolved complex industrial and workplace matters, and delivered major HR and ER modernisation, governance reform and large‑scale workforce transformation. She has operated within large, scrutinised organisations, managing sensitive conduct matters and translating legislative requirements into practical, risk‑aware solutions.
Alexandra strengthens frameworks and governance foundations. With experience as a secondary teacher and over a decade as a sessional academic in HR and employment relations, she brings practitioner expertise and insight into the education sector.
PARTNERSHIPS MANAGER
Michelle Borkowski
Michelle Borkowski joined Independent Schools Queensland in 2026 as Partnerships Manager, with responsibility for overseeing the corporate partnerships program and the delivery of ISQ’s events program.
Michelle has over two decades of professional experience in strategic stakeholder management, business development, marketing and event management. Michelle brings broad experience across government, education, not-for-profit and corporate entities.
A highly effective communicator with strong stakeholder engagement expertise, Michelle builds trusted partnerships for mutually beneficial outcomes. She is a collaborative professional who connects organisations with meaningful opportunities, fostering relationships that support members of Independent Schools Queensland.
Michelle has qualifications in marketing, communications and finance.
Related bodies
Queensland Independent Schools Block Grant Authority (QIS BGA) is wholly owned by ISQ and is a not-for-profit company that receives and distributes capital funds to independent schools in Queensland, on behalf of the Australian and Queensland Governments.
Queensland Independent Schools Parents Network (QIS Parents Network) is the representative body for the parents and carers of children attending independent schools. It is governed by a board of directors and is supported by ISQ.
ISQ is a member of Independent Schools Australia, the national peak body for independent schooling in Australia.