Board of Directors
The Institute’s Constitution confers powers to the Board to manage and control the business of the Institute. The Board is the corporate governing body of the Institute; the Board Charter outlines the Board’s functions, powers and membership. Per section 3.1 of the Board Charter, the Board is the formally constituted governing body of Johnston Institute and is the ultimate decision-making entity. The Board is ultimately accountable for Johnston Institute and its operations.
Emeritus Professor Archie James Johnston
BSc (Hons), PhD, HonFIEAust, FICE, FTSE, FAICD
Independent Member, Board of Directors (Chair)
An Emeritus Professor and recognised leader in engineering education, university–industry collaboration, and strategic innovation, Professor Archie Johnston has built a distinguished career spanning Australia, China, and Latin America. His work is defined by a strong commitment to global partnerships and the advancement of disruptive technologies.
He has advised government, industry, and leading universities in China and Chile, and has founded four private colleges from the ground up. Holding a PhD and Honours degree in Civil Engineering from Heriot-Watt University (Edinburgh) and a Graduate Diploma from the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Professor Johnston’s academic and professional credentials are equally robust.
His senior leadership roles include:
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Emeritus Professor, University of Sydney and University of Technology Sydney (UTS)
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Dean of Engineering and IT, University of Sydney, UTS, and University of South Australia (UniSA)
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Pro Vice-Chancellor, James Cook University
With approximately 200 published papers in intelligent grids, water reuse, marine engineering, and the sustainable development of the Great Barrier Reef, Professor Johnston continues to contribute to national and international initiatives through his service on advisory boards and judging panels, including Engineers Australia, the Prime Minister’s Science Prizes, and the China–Australia High-Tech Industrialisation Association.
Dr Karen Treloar
PhD, MBA, GradCertHE, GradDipIR, BA, GAICD
Independent Member, Board of Directors
With over 25 years of leadership experience in higher education regulation, quality assurance, and governance, Dr Karen Treloar has contributed extensively to strengthening academic integrity and institutional quality across Australia and internationally. Her work spans policy development, provider regulation, and academic governance, with a strong commitment to advancing excellence and accountability in tertiary education.
Her previous roles include:
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Director, Engagement Group, Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA)
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Director, Provider Assessment and Engagement, and Head of International, TEQSA
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Audit Director, Australian Universities Quality Agency (AUQA)
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Manager, Strategic Planning and Review, University of Technology Sydney
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Senior Planning and Policy Advisor, RMIT University
Dr Treloar has represented Australia in numerous international higher education initiatives, including projects with APEC, INQAAHE, the European Quality Agency, and the Oman Authority for Academic Accreditation. She is also a former member of the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) Accreditation Advisory Committee and a published author on academic integrity and higher education quality assurance.
She holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), a Master of Business Administration (MBA), a Graduate Certificate in Higher Education (GradCertHE), a Graduate Diploma in Industrial Relations (GradDipIR), and a Bachelor of Arts (BA). Dr Treloar is also a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD).
A respected scholar and thought leader, Dr Treloar has published and presented widely on higher education quality, academic integrity, and international regulatory collaboration.
Mr Aman Chand
MCom (Hons), BA, CISA, CIA, CFSA, FCPA
Independent Member, Board of Directors and Independent Member, Finance, Audit and Risk Committee (Chair)
Mr Aman Chand brings over 20 years of senior executive experience in risk management, internal audit, governance, and financial oversight across the higher education, government, and financial services sectors. He has extensive expertise in enterprise risk frameworks, compliance, strategic governance, and assurance processes, with a strong record of strengthening institutional accountability and operational resilience.
His previous roles include:
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Chief Audit and Risk Officer, Western Sydney University
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Chief Audit Executive, NSW Treasury
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Executive Audit Manager and Acting General Manager Audit, Commonwealth Bank of Australia
Mr Chand possesses in-depth knowledge of higher education governance and quality assurance, particularly in audit, finance, and regulatory compliance aligned with the Higher Education Standards Framework and TEQSA requirements.
He holds an MCom (Hons) from the University of Sydney and a BA from the University of the South Pacific, and is a Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), Certified Financial Services Auditor (CFSA), and Fellow of CPA Australia (FCPA).
Mr Zhen Zhang
M.TertEdMgmt, MBA, B.CompAppSoft
Member, Board of Directors
Mr Chris Zhang is a tertiary education leader and entrepreneur with extensive experience in international education, institutional marketing, student services, and operational governance. He has held senior leadership roles in the private tertiary education sector, with a strong focus on strategic growth, compliance, and student success.
Mr Zhang previously served as Director of Marketing at Melbourne Education Institute, where he led student recruitment and retention strategies, implemented early intervention initiatives, and ensured compliance with institutional and regulatory requirements. In this role, he also oversaw staff capability development, budget management, and institutional risk reporting. Prior to his leadership roles in the education sector, he worked with the National Australia Bank (NAB), where he developed expertise in financial analysis, client engagement, and operational process improvement. This experience continues to inform his governance, strategic planning, and business acumen in tertiary education management.
Mr Zhang brings strong expertise in enterprise systems, digital strategy, and project management. His leadership approach combines data-driven decision-making with a student-centred service model to enhance student progression, engagement, and satisfaction.
He holds a Master of Tertiary Education Management from the University of Melbourne, an MBA from Torrens University, and a Bachelor of Computer Application Software from Jilin University. He is also completing the Company Directors Course with the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD), further strengthening his governance and risk oversight capability within the tertiary education sector.
Professor Leonard Webster
PhD,MEdStud,BA,DipT,CertA
Ex Officio Member , Board of Directors & Chair of Academic Board
Bringing decades of executive experience in academic governance and quality assurance, Professor Leonard Webster is a highly respected figure in the global higher education landscape. His work is defined by a strong commitment to regulatory compliance and the practical application of educational theory to innovative teaching and learning contexts.
He has advised government bodies, national agencies, and leading universities, including the World Health Organisation, the Australian Defence Forces, and the Group of Eight Universities. Holding a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and a Master of Educational Studies from Monash University, alongside a Bachelor of Arts from La Trobe University, Professor Webster’s academic and professional credentials are exceptionally robust.
His senior leadership roles include:
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Deputy Vice Chancellor (Quality and Compliance), Elite Education Institute
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Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic), International College of Management Sydney (ICMS)
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Director of Regulation and Review, Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA)
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Audit Director, Australian Universities Quality Agency
With extensive publications—including books, chapters, and journal articles—focusing on high-performance learning environments, narrative inquiry, and quality management in higher education, Professor Webster continues to contribute to national and international initiatives. His ongoing service includes consultancy across the higher education sector and memberships with the Australian College of Educators and the Higher Education Private Providers Quality Network (HEPPQN).
Ms Helen Fleming
LLM, MA (Merit), LLB
Board Secretariat
Ms Helen Fleming is a senior legal and governance professional with more than 30 years of experience across the corporate and higher education sectors. She is widely recognised as a trusted adviser with expertise in governance, legal risk, regulatory compliance, and institutional policy development.
Her career experience includes:
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University Secretary and General Counsel, Western Sydney University
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Legal Counsel and governance roles, University of Sydney
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Governance and legal adviser to various higher education institutions and not-for-profit organisations
Ms Fleming has contributed extensively to the higher education community through publications and national and international conference presentations on academic integrity, governance, and regulatory compliance. She is a Professional Fellow of Western Sydney University and a Visiting Honorary Fellow of the University of Technology Sydney.
She holds a Master of Laws (LLM), a Master of Arts (MA, Merit), and a Bachelor of Laws (LLB), and is admitted as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of New South Wales and the High Court of Australia.