Board of Directors
Danielle Nastov
Chair
With over 10 years in business consulting and leadership, as Director of Business Development for a nationwide Accounting Franchise Group, Danielle brings a unique combination of strategic insight and psychological expertise to the board.
A former Tax Agent and Authorised Financial Planner, Danielle is now a Strategic Mindset Coach and Psychotherapist specialising in conscious leadership and performance psychology.
Her rich foundation in finance, coupled with certifications in psychotherapy and coaching, enables her to contribute to Southside Montessori’s mission by applying a values-driven approach backed by strategic insight to foster sustainable growth.
Danielle is deeply committed to nurturing an environment of well-being, growth, and alignment with the essence of Montessori principles.
A former Tax Agent and Authorised Financial Planner, Danielle is now a Strategic Mindset Coach and Psychotherapist specialising in conscious leadership and performance psychology.
Her rich foundation in finance, coupled with certifications in psychotherapy and coaching, enables her to contribute to Southside Montessori’s mission by applying a values-driven approach backed by strategic insight to foster sustainable growth.
Danielle is deeply committed to nurturing an environment of well-being, growth, and alignment with the essence of Montessori principles.
Shaakira Essop
Vice Chair
Shaakira brings a decade of dedicated teaching experience to the board, having worked in an educational setting where she has demonstrated a commitment to fostering student growth and community involvement. With a strong background in curriculum development and innovative teaching methods, Shaakira has consistently focused on creating inclusive and engaging learning environments. As a mother of two beautiful boys and a current full-time stay-at-home parent, Shaakira understands the challenges and joys of balancing family life with educational needs. This personal experience enriches her perspective on the importance of family engagement within the school community. In addition to her teaching role, Shaakira serves as a volunteer and current board member for Global Medical Foundation Australia, where she contributes to initiatives aimed at improving community health and wellness locally and overseas. As a board member, Shaakira aims to leverage her educational expertise and community engagement skills to enhance the school’s mission. She is passionate about developing programs that bridge the gap between the school and the community, fostering partnerships that benefit students and their families. With a deep understanding of both education and community dynamics, Shaakira is excited to contribute to the board and help shape the future of our school.
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Kathleen Nguyen
Secretary Kathleen is a highly experienced HR professional with over 15 years of expertise in human resources, organisational strategy, and governance. She has a proven track record of delivering strategic HR initiatives that enhance talent management, workforce planning, and overall organisational performance. Her leadership in policy development, change management, and process optimisation has supported continuous improvement in HR operations across both public and private sectors. Kathleen excels in managing large-scale HR transformation projects, developing high-performing teams, and fostering strong stakeholder relationships. She works closely with executive teams and diverse groups to implement strategic workforce solutions and create collaborative, effective working environments. Her career has been centred around supporting teams, developing effective policies, and driving positive employee experiences, all of which are directly applicable to supporting the governance and strategic direction of the School. Kathleen is committed to supporting educational outcomes and providing valuable insights that will strengthen the School's ability to achieve its mission. |
Lawrance Truong
Treasurer An experienced finance leader spending the last 15+ years in Corporate Finance. Currently serving as Head of Financial Planning & Analysis and Business Intelligence at a multinational pharmaceutical company. Lawrance has a strong financial reporting, compliance and governance background having started in audit at Ernst & Young and remains a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand. In the last 12 years, Lawrance's focus has been on optimising and enhancing business performance across a full suite of business areas including: Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Research & Development, Sales, and Marketing. Lawrance will be able to bring his experience to help the school manage its finances appropriately, efficiently and sustainably. |