The Avalon Montessori Association Board
We are thrilled to announce our 2026 AMA Board of Directors.
Qualifications: Hotelschool The Hague (BBA Bachelor in Business) University of Amsterda, Propaedeutic in Law.
Bio: Jip van Driest is a real estate and hospitality investment professional with over 15 years’ experience across acquisitions, asset management and development in global markets. She has held senior roles leading investment and development strategies across the Asia Pacific region, with a focus on driving profitability and long-term value creation
Qualifications: Bond University Bachelor of IT and Commerce
Bio: Alice brings 25 years of experience in IT consulting. Following her graduation, she worked with a prominent consulting firm and later in-house at an investment bank, honing her expertise in diverse sectors. In 2012, Alice founded her own training and change management consultancy, where she serves as the Managing Director. Over the years, she has had the opportunity to work in the USA, UK, Australia, and New Zealand, gaining a global perspective. Alice is also a dedicated BMS Montessori parent and resides in Avalon
Qualifications: BA Dip Edu. Earth Sciences Macquarie University
Bio: Extensive teaching career with the Department of Education, TAFE NSW and UTS university. Senior Education Officer in Assessment with TAFE NSW when I retired. Presently a member of the Society of Women Leaders with Australian Red Cross and on their Committee for programme funding decisions. Started Barrenjoey Montessori Kindy and managed to gain Head Master support for land at the rear of Barrenjoey High School to be put aside for the Montessori school buildings. Involved in the startup of Bilgola Preservation Society and active in that until 2014 etc written a history of Bilgola House Estate for M,W&P Historical Society. Initiated the parent funded programme to teach Indonesian to all children at Bilgola Plateau School Chair of the Committee to stop telecommunication towers being placed in the Bilgola school grounds. Responsible for funding grants to green Barrenjoey High School and involve all children in planting tubestock at the time .
Qualifications: Financial Modelling & Valuation Analyst (FMVA), Diploma of Legal Practice (non-practising), Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Laws (BA/LLB)
Bio: Luke Heard is a management consultant advising boards on strategy, financial performance and investment decisions. He has over 20 years’ experience across PKF, private equity and consulting, with a focus on financial analysis, capital allocation and commercial advisory
Qualifications: Bachelor of Teaching - secondary with additional primary qualifications, Bachelor of Arts - Technology, 3-6 AMI Diploma.
Bio: Marina began her teaching career 25 years ago as a high school teacher and then began working within the Montessori primary and early childhood sector 15 years ago. Marina began this aspect of her work at Barrenjoey Montessori and has since worked at other Montessori primary schools in Sydney. For the past 7 years, Marina served as the principal and directress at Lindfield Montessori. She is now working with Sydney Catholic Schools in a consulting and teaching role, to support the implementation of a Montessori kindergarten stream in one of their schools.
Qualifications: Bachelor of Business, Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), UTS Financial Analysis Certificate, FINSIA Applied Valuation, PS146 Compliant (2017), CFA Institute Member, CFA Society Sydney Member
Bio: Nicholas Cregan is a founding partner and portfolio manager of Fairlight Asset Management, with over 20 years of investment experience across domestic, US, and international equity markets. He
specializes in global small and mid-cap equity investing, combining deep fundamental research with disciplined portfolio construction to deliver exceptional risk-adjusted returns. Since co-founding Fairlight Asset Management in 2018, Nicholas has established the firm as one of Australia's leading global small and mid-cap managers, achieving multiple industry awards and delivering consistent top-decile performance for investors.
Qualifications: UNSW B.Surv, MGSM Grad Dip Marketing, Level 3 and Level 2 Coach Canadian Ski Instructors Alliance.
Bio: Phil is a previous Barrenjoey Montessori School Board Member (1996 – 2003). He has over 35 years experience across multiple industries in Australia, Asia, USA, Canada and Saudi Arabia. He has held senior roles as a project manager in the construction Industry; Ski Race Coaching roles at Provincial level in Canada; Head of Marketing Roles in the Finance Industry at CBA and ANZ Bank; and Partner / Group Account Director roles in Advertising. In 2000 he took up a Group Account Director role with The Campaign Palace, Australia’s most awarded Advertising Agency, where he managed all of Westpac’s advertising including the Sydney Olympic Campaign. He and his wife have four grown children all of whom attended Barrenjoey Montessori School.