Executive Director’s Update to Principals #130: Deputy Director Appointments - 7 Dec 2021
Deputy Director Appointments
It is with a great sense of excitement that I announce the appointment of our two Deputy Directors for 2022 and beyond, Matthew Byrne and Megan Ioannou.
Matthew Byrne will be our new Deputy Director: Catholic Education. Matt comes to us from the principalship at Damascus College where he has been an outstanding strategic leader for the past 13 years. Matt has led the amalgamation of Damascus College from two campuses into one, the large capital works program at the Mount Clear site, and significant improvement of student outcomes during this time.
Matt has a deep understanding of Catholic Identity, Religious Education and Mission and has been a member of the DOBCEL ECSI Standing Committee. He is a very active member of the Ballarat East Parish.
As all those who know Matt could attest, he understands the importance of being part of a system of schools. He is very active within the Principals Association of Victorian Catholic Secondary Schools (PAVCSS), including his former role on the executive of PAVCSS and as current Chair of our diocesan Secondary Principal’s network.
Matt lives, and actively participates, in the local Ballarat community and has worked hard to establish and maintain close connections with the Central Zone schools over time. He has experience in a number of school settings in our diocese and previously in the Sandhurst diocese.
Matt grew up on a farm between Boort and Charlton. He attended Boort Primary School and Boort Secondary College. He is married to Julie and they have four children; Thomas, Grace, Xavier and Ruby.
Matt clearly has a deep connection and commitment to, and understanding of, our diocese. He will share his time between Damascus College and CEB throughout term 1, 2022. This will enable him to continue to support the strategic work of the college, transference of governance and to allow for a smooth transition process to the next principal.
Megan Ioannou will be our first Deputy Director: Stewardship. Megan has more than 20 years’ experience in Catholic Education and would be known to many of you in her current capacity as Director, Planning & Infrastructure and Company Secretary Catholic Capital Grants (Vic) Ltd (CCG), responsible for the approval and oversight of every capital project funded across Catholic Education in Victoria, through the Federal and State governments over the past 11 years. Megan has high level knowledge and experience in governance, risk and assurance, future provision and people and development. She is a proven strategic leader, highly relational and has consistently delivered high quality results in all areas of her portfolio with CCG and Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS). Megan was the part of the MACS executive leadership team for many years and has been the company secretary of CCG since 2006.
Megan brings a wealth of knowledge and strong network links across Australia, including at Federal and State government level and Catholic sectors. Without doubt Megan would be one of the most respected and credentialed in her field.
Megan is an active member of her local parish with a strong commitment to her faith and furthering Catholic Identity and Mission within her work.
Megan grew up on a farm near Ballan and attended primary school at St Brigid’s Primary School, Ballan before attending Loreto College for her secondary education. She is married to Andrew and they have two adult children; Kate and Josh.
Megan is looking forward to beginning work at CEB at the start of 2022.
As Executive Director I am very pleased to have Matt and Megan joining the CEB Directorate team. They are both highly strategic and relational leaders with a deep commitment to our Catholic Education mission. Their experience, knowledge and enthusiasm will add significant value to our diocese and I look forward to 2022 to with great hope, excitement and energy for the work ahead.