Exceptional learning starts with extraordinary people.

Building the team that makes our school a great place to learn.

Meet our team

David McKay has spent over 15 years in education, focusing on creating welcoming environments for all learners. His leadership roles in schools across Melbourne and Brisbane have guided educational teams to deliver exceptional outcomes.
David is passionate about ensuring every student feels valued, particularly those who find traditional schooling challenging. His ultimate aim is to kindle a lifelong passion for learning in everyone.
As the Founding Principal of The Younity School, David brings excitement, energy, and enthusiasm to his role. He is committed to building a supportive and inclusive school community and forging strong connections with students, families, and the local community.

Georgia Clark

Executive Assistant
georgia.clark@younityschools.qld.edu.au

Jasmin Taylor

Education Support Officer
jasmin.taylor@younityschools.qld.edu.au

Kate Sheperdson

Education Support Officer
kate.shepherdson@younityschools.qld.edu.au

Sam Cavill

Classroom Teacher
sam.cavill@younityschools.qld.edu.au

Kimberley Bobadilla

Education Support Officer
kimberley.bobadilla@younityschools.qld.edu.au

Phil Templeton

Classroom Teacher
phil.templeton@younityschools.qld.edu.au

Renee Robinson

Education Support Manager
renee.robinson@younityschools.qld.edu.au

Steven Page

Chief Operating Officer
steven.page@younity.org.au

Julie Williams

Education Support Officer
julie.williams@younityschools.qld.edu.au

Anna Carswell

Classroom Teacher
anna.carswell@younityschools.qld.edu.au

Nicola Parylo

Education Support Officer
Nicola.parylo@younityschools.qld.edu.au

Meet our board.

The Younity School operates under Younity Community Services Ltd (trading as Younity) and is governed by the Younity board.

Lachlan Maguire

Director

Lachie is driven by a passion for innovation and a commitment to delivering results, with a diverse background in business process automation, client relationship management, and innovation consulting. Throughout my career, he has cultivated a unique blend of analytical, strategic, and interpersonal skills that he uses to drive positive change and add value in every role he undertakes. Lachie thrives in collaborative environments where creativity and innovation are encouraged and is dedicated to leveraging technology to solve complex challenges and drive sustainable growth, especially in for-purpose organisations.

Dr Emily Moir

Director

Dr Emily Moir is a lecturer in Criminology and Justice at The University of the Sunshine Coast. Emily is an environmental criminologist and crime analyst who is interested in how certain environments enable opportunities for crime. She is passionate about understanding what works in crime prevention. She has applied this work across a range of crime types including burglary and property crime, elder abuse, workplace exploitation, and parole and probation reoffending. Emily has consulted with a variety of state and local agencies on projects related to community safety, crime trends, and project evaluation.

Ashleigh Stephens

Chairperson

Ashleigh Stephens (Ash) has worked in the community sector for over 10+ years building communities through community development, strategy, engagement, empowerment and stakeholder management. She is currently working for the Department of Education (Early Years) as a Partnership Facilitator to support children <0-5 to have a great start. Ash truly believes our biggest opportunity for change starts in the first 1000 days of a child’s life. ‘If we work together as one team and include the voice of children and families in the work we do- we can provide the best possible start to children’s lives and ensure families have the opportunity to be the best parent they wish to be.’

James Weait

Director

James Weait has worked in the employment services sector for almost 20 years in Australia and the UK, leading generalist, disability, skills and youth welfare contracts. James formed his company, Populi Solutions, in 2019 and has led client engagement programmes, project management consultation, performance uplift projects and executive coaching for employment service providers and other purpose-led organisations. Currently James serves as an Advisor to the Board for industry leading recruitment specialists Parkhouse Bell. Bachelor’s Degree and Diploma of Leadership qualified, James is also an accredited DISC facilitator and a passionate advocate for the role that employment plays in reducing anxiety, building resilience and the prosperity of local communities.

Amanda Kirchner

Director

Amanda Kirchner brings robust business acumen shaped by an extensive career in consulting in accounting, tax, corporate finance, governance, and risk. She has experience working with and advising executive teams and boards on topics such as transactions and public listings, strategic risks and risk appetite, and establishing a strong risk culture. Having also worked in industry, she understands the importance of solutions that balance the needs of the business and its stakeholders. Amanda is passionate about bringing out the best in everyone to create a better world for all.

Mark Cleaver

Director

Mark Cleaver has rejoined the Younity Board after a stay in the USA in 2023. Mark brings a long and strong relationship with Younity and was Chairperson supporting the organisation during the significant changes made over the past few years. Mark has also been responsible for referring many wonderful students to Younity over the years and brings many years of experience in this field to the committee.

Erica Strasser

Director

Erica is an experienced commercial generalist who has worked in the business community for the past 25 years. Her key skills include delivering strategic and operational strategies, business restructuring, and change management. She has worked across a broad cross section of industries, including engineering and finance, and for several years, she operated for NFPs in health, aged care, and education. Erica seeks to contribute to help create sustainable, operationally sound, community-based organisations that focus on improving individual outcomes. She has a Bachelor of Commerce and an MBA.