Our Board

Jodi is a highly accomplished and experienced chief executive officer with extensive knowledge of vocational education and training (VET) and human service sectors both in Australia and the UK. Jodi believes in lifelong learning and that everyone should be given the best opportunity to make their start. For this reason, Jodi is committed to using her expertise to see The Sycamore School’s success in supporting autistic children and their families. She has an impressive track record, having senior roles across government, vocational education and training, and human service sectors where she has implemented significant government policy and led major reforms. Jodi is frequently called upon for her expertise in strategy and organisational performance and has been a member of numerous National Review boards and expert panels.

Cindy in the Founder of The Sycamore School. Cindy has dedicated the past 10 years to the establishment and continuous evolution of The Sycamore School through her continuing advocacy, oversight, and community leadership. Cindy’s experience took her on a journey that would harness the knowledge and skills required across advocacy, governance, government liaison, social impact, investment, strategic planning and community engagement and development. Cindy has a Bachelor Degree in Social Science from University of Queensland, Graduate Certificate in Autism Studies from Griffith University, and runs a community engagement, advocacy, and communications consultancy.

Kat is an accomplished lawyer and brings valuable experience and knowledge in the areas of corporate governance, strategic planning, and commercial expertise. Kat has shaped her career around advising clients on their property and commercial matters. Kat also has a deep appreciation for community and regularly engages in charitable initiatives. Kat has been a Director and the Company Secretary of The Sycamore School since July 2023 and is passionate about serving and contributing to the aspirations of The Sycamore School.

Adam combines extensive expertise in property development, construction, and executive management with a passionate commitment to supporting communities. As General Manager of Fiteni, an iconic Redlands construction and development company, and co-founder of a prominent digital agency, he holds an Executive MBA from Queensland University of Technology. His professional journey is marked by strategic innovation and a dedication to excellence in team management, marketing, information technology and financial planning. Deeply committed to the mission of supporting families and autistic children, Adam’s involvement is further enriched by his personal experience as a parent of an autistic child. His unique blend of skills and personal dedication contributes significantly to his endeavours.

Toni has educational leadership experience across various school contexts. Toni’s career includes Executive Principalship to lead and significantly influence senior secondary pathways, special assistance schooling, vocational pathways, students with disability and has also worked in P-12 school environments. She has supported Queensland schools when working with both the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) and Independent Schools Queensland (ISQ). Her leadership and principalship are marked by a commitment to creating supportive environments, working with school leadership and staff to encourage practical, authentic real-world applications of learning while simultaneously adhering to legislative and regulatory compliance processes. Toni’s passion for leadership and supporting the diversity of students in our schools, and her previous experience serving on school and educational governance Boards and Committees, has led her to the role of Board Director of The Sycamore School. As an advocate for continuous improvement, she is founder of a bespoke educational consultancy, providing services and advice to school leadership teams and educational organisations.

Rukshana Sashankan has extensive expertise in the property industry, bringing over 18 years of experience in senior leadership roles driving positive change. Rukshana holds a Bachelor of Laws, a Bachelor of Arts (Double Major in Psychology), and a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice, and is currently the General Manager – Practitioners at Property Exchange Australia (PEXA). She has demonstrated a proven ability to lead teams, drive productivity and operational growth, champion change management, and foster people-leadership fundamentals. Rukshana’s appointment to The Sycamore School Board reflects her passion for creating positive change in local communities and advocating for neurodivergent individuals – a passion ignited by her family’s journey in caring for an autistic child throughout their schooling life. Having personally dealt with the challenges in the education system, Rukshana deeply values organisations that work to break down barriers and create inclusive environments. In addition to her role at PEXA, Rukshana has mentored at Deakin University’s Centre for Refugee Employment, Advocacy, Training and Education (CREATE) Program and Sisterworks, driving economic empowerment for migrant women. She also helped establish PEXA’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee in 2018, which continues to champion inclusion across gender, LGBTQIA+, accessibility, cultural differences and neurodivergence. Working in the technology industry, Rukshana has been a strong advocate connecting students post their schooling journey with companies that embrace neurodiversity and offer meaningful career pathways.