The People Standing Beside Anne
Anne Forbes may be the heart of MyScience, but every great mission needs a crew. Our board and advisory team bring decades of combined expertise across education, science, technology, and leadership — all united by one shared belief: that every child deserves the wonder of authentic scientific discovery.
Our Board
Guiding MyScience with wisdom, governance, and an unwavering commitment to quality science education.
Anne Forbes
Founder & Director
An experienced science education leader with a long-standing commitment to improving equity, quality, and engagement in science learning. Anne brings deep expertise in inquiry-based learning, teacher professional learning, curriculum design, and large-scale program development. Her work bridges education research, classroom practice, and system-level change, ensuring MyScience remains grounded in evidence while remaining practical and inspiring for teachers and students.
Kim Tsolakis
Director
A respected education leader with extensive experience across school leadership, professional standards, and system-wide reform. Former CEO of the Professional Teachers’ Council NSW and the Australian Professional Teachers Association, Kim brings deep expertise in teacher accreditation, professional standards, and strategic collaboration, ensuring teacher professional growth remains central to MyScience’s sustained impact.
Eric Jamieson
Director
An experienced educational leader whose career spans school, system, national and international contexts. Former Director of High Performance with the NSW Department of Education, Eric designed a practical school growth and accountability model used across more than 2,200 public schools. He brings strong system-level insight and a clear understanding of how innovative programs can be implemented and sustained in real school settings.
Bettina Cutler
Director
A strategic leader with extensive experience across STEM education, technology, workforce development, and public–private partnerships. Bettina was instrumental in establishing the original MyScience partnership between IBM, the NSW Department of Education, and the University of Sydney — recognised with a BHERT Award for Education. She specialises in cross-sector collaboration and taking pilots to scale.
Margaret Shepherd
Director
A highly experienced science teaching specialist with a career spanning secondary schools, higher education, and professional learning. Former President of the Australian Science Teachers Association and founder of SCIeducation, Margaret brings deep expertise in science curriculum and assessment, teacher education, instructional design, and educational technology.
Our Advisory Board
Trusted advisors who lend their specialised expertise to strengthen MyScience’s reach and impact.
Gerry McCloughan
Co-Founder of the MyScience Educational Model
An experienced education adviser and science education specialist. Gerry co-developed the MyScience Educational Model with Anne and has been instrumental in its design and implementation across NSW Department of Education schools. He brings critical system-level insight, curriculum expertise, and practical guidance from his senior roles in school performance, educational measurement, and K–12 science curriculum reform.
Tim Parsons
Advisor
A 30-year veteran of tech, deep-tech product and strategic innovation. Today, Tim works building Australia’s space sector, leading space missions, coaching space start-ups, and consulting to space agencies worldwide. He holds a BEng and PhD in Aerospace Engineering from Imperial College, London, and a BSc in Computer Science and Applied Maths from Sydney University.
Matthew Burley
Advisor
Matthew brings deep experience at the intersection of science, technology, education, and commercialisation. His career spans energy transition, AI-enabled digital health and education technologies, and the translation of research into scalable real-world solutions. Through MyScience, he contributes expertise in innovation and industry connection, ensuring students and teachers engage with authentic science linked to future skills.
Philippa Miller
Advisor
An experienced educator and teaching and learning specialist with an international career spanning New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Philippa previously served as a Teaching and Learning Consultant with Independent Schools NSW and currently coordinates the Young Scientist Steering Committee. She is a recipient of the prestigious Australian BHP Billiton Teachers Award and is passionate about empowering teachers and fostering student curiosity.
United by a Shared Belief
Every person on this page brings something unique. But they all share one conviction: that science education should be authentic, accessible, and filled with wonder. They’re not here for recognition. They’re here because they believe in Anne’s vision — and in the power of a child asking their first real scientific question.