Our board and management
Open Universities Australia is Australia’s leading higher education marketplace. Our Board of Directors and Senior Leadership Team harness their expertise and passion to shape our future.
Board of Directors

Professor S. Bruce Dowton
Chairman & Nominee Director – Macquarie University
Professor Bruce Dowton was appointed Vice Chancellor of Macquarie University in 2012. He’s a paediatrician, clinical geneticist, molecular biologist, researcher and academic, and served as a senior medical executive at several organisations.

Paul Beard
Nominee Director – University of South Australia
Chair – Finance, Audit & Risk Management Committee
Paul Beard is Chief Operating Officer at the University of South Australia, overseeing finance, facilities, IT, and library. Joining the UniSA executive in 2001, Paul previously held senior finance roles in the private and public sector.

Professor Carolyn Evans
Nominee Director - Griffith University
Professor Carolyn Evans joined Griffith University in 2019 as Vice Chancellor and President. Prior to Griffith, Carolyn was a member of the University of Melbourne’s senior leadership. She is an international scholar and published author.

David McCall
Nominee Director – Swinburne University of Technology
David McCall is the Head of Strategy and Commercial Management at Swinburne University, leading strategy, delivery, commercial and product management. David joined Swinburne in 2015, previously in senior positions in finance and digital.

David Menarry
Nominee Director - Curtin University
David Menarry joined Curtin University in 2004 as Chief Financial Officer. David’s strategic financial leadership and rigorous financial management strengthens Curtin’s financial position, enabling improved research and teaching outcomes.

Professor Sharon Pickering
Nominee Director – Monash University
Professor Sharon Pickering is the Interim Deputy Vice‐Chancellor (Education) and Senior Vice President of Monash University. She previously served as Dean of Arts at Monash University and prior to that as the Head of the School of Social Sciences.

Professor Sherman Young
Nominee Director – RMIT University
Professor Sherman Young is the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) and Vice-President of RMIT University.
Senior Leadership Team

Stuart Elmslie
Chief Executive Officer
Stuart Elmslie was appointed as Chief Executive Officer in January 2018. Previously, Stuart was Chief Financial Officer and Executive General Manager of Corporate Services from February 2016.

Chris Billing
Chief Experience Officer
Chris joined OUA in 2017 as Head of Digital and later became Chief Product Officer. In 2022 his remit expanded to Chief Experience Officer.

Anthony Elliott
Chief Operating Officer
Anthony Elliott is OUA's Chief Operating Officer. Anthony’s passion for business transformation and continuous improvement has shaped much of his career.

Catherine Reynolds
Chief Commercial Officer
As Open University Australia’s Chief Commercial Officer, Catherine Reynolds is responsible for driving brand strategy, consumer marketing and partnership growth.

Andy Sheats
Chief Technology Officer
Andy Sheats became CTO in late 2021. Prior to that Andy had responsibility for overall student success.