GNLC Board

Neil Leek

Chairman

Neil Leek has spent the past 36 years in Business Management at independent schools in Darwin, Alice Springs, Perth, and Adelaide. He completed his business degree in 1983 and left his employment with the Western Australian Government in 1986, to take up a new career at an independent Christian school in Darwin. He has gained significant experience in the many aspects of school operations, including financial management, strategic planning, master planning and the development of new schools. 

Neil has been actively involved in the Associations of Independent Schools in the NT and WA, Block Grant Authority NT Board and Treasurer/Board member of Baptist Care NT Ltd and Foodbank NT. He served on the LESNW Finance Committee for several years and is currently a Board member of Narwarddeken Academy Ltd, which establishes and runs independent Aboriginal schools in Arnhem Land. Neil worships at Victor Harbor Baptist Church and serves on the Leadership Team as the Church Treasurer. Neil has a passion for Christian Education and good governance and is delighted to serve as a Board member.

Connor Marshall

Vice Chairman

Connor Marshall joined the board in 2024 with a focus on strategy and a commitment to spiritual and community responsibility. He is an early career researcher for the Australian Department of Defence with a First Class Honours in Aerospace Engineering and a Bachelor of Science from Monash University. He is a life-long learner and has shared this passion in the past while tutoring, coordinating science research projects, and organising STEM outreach. 

Attending Lutheran schools and churches throughout his life has solidified his faith and service mindset. “I am honoured to accept the responsibility of Board Director and serve the GNLC community to achieve their aspirations and God’s will.”

Mario Puopolo

Secretary

Mario Puopolo brings over 35 years of executive leadership experience across finance, operations, governance, and strategic transformation. He joins Good News Lutheran College after 13 years as Business Operations Manager at a large multi-campus Melbourne school of more than 2,500 students, where he led finance, human resources, enrolments, digital services, facilities, and compliance. 

Mario has overseen capital works exceeding $150 million, including the development of a new campus, and led a college-wide ESG Master Plan focused on sustainability and stewardship. His previous roles span higher education, architecture, digital technology, and private practice, including La Trobe Melbourne, Fender Katsalidis Architects, RMIT University, and Autodesk Australia. He holds multiple business and governance qualifications, including an Executive MBA, and is passionate about building strong teams and supporting student success.

Jesse Spike

Board Member

Jesse Spike's professional experience is rooted in Accounting and Finance having worked as an auditor for four years, and now as a Business Analyst at Village Roadshow Entertainment. He has always held a passion for developing young minds and for Lutheran mission. He claims it to be a real blessing to be involved with a school driven to achieve these goals. “I am honoured to be given the opportunity to serve at GNLC, to which I was elected in 2023. I have previously served as a treasurer and Council member in churches and have a passion for youth being heavily involved previously as a youth leader and leader CLWs.”

Matthew Miller

Board Member

Matthew Miller is an experienced education and workforce development leader with more than 25 years’ experience across the education, government, defence and aviation sectors. He has held senior leadership roles with organisations including RMIT University, VETASSESS, Wavelength Learning and Skills Leap Australia, specialising in strategic growth, workforce capability, governance, and innovation in education and training.

Matthew brings extensive board and governance experience within education and not-for-profit organisations. He currently serves as a Director of Good News Lutheran College and was previously Vice-Chairman and Director of Lutheran Education Victoria, NSW & Tasmania (LEVNT) for more than 16 years. His governance experience also includes roles as Chairperson of Good News Lutheran College, Chairman of Nhill Lutheran School, Director of the District Church Council of the Lutheran Church of Australia (Victoria), Independent Director of the Group Training Association of Victoria, and Founding Director of Fresh Hope Australia.

Matthew is passionate about educational excellence, community leadership, and supporting organisations to build strong, values-driven sustainable foundations, through collaboration, strategic leadership, and innovation.

Chaitali Dekiwadia

Board Member

Dr. Chaitali Dekiwadia joins the Board of Directors bringing over a decade of expertise in core scientific facilities, specialized training development, and collaborative research execution. Currently a Platform Scientist at RMIT University, she specializes in life sciences and advanced imaging technologies. Her scientific career—which began with a PhD earned in Melbourne—includes postdoctoral positions at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and the University of Melbourne, alongside international collaboration as a visiting researcher at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) in Heidelberg, Germany.

An active contributor to the scientific community, Chaitali is a co-author on numerous peer-reviewed scientific publications and is recognized for designing reproducible training programs that simplify complex workflows for diverse learner groups. Her extensive experience in world-class institutions and her proven track record in fostering cross-disciplinary collaboration will be invaluable assets to the school’s governance and strategic growth.

Ben Kerry

Board Member

Ben is the Chief Operating Officer of Lutheran Education Development Incorporated which operates with South Australia, Northern Territory and Western Australia. Ben is an experienced operator with business, financial and management skills gained in various roles across the finance, consulting and manufacturing industries.

He works within the LESNW system and assists school within their strategic planning and to develop and expand the Lutheran education system across the regions LESNW operates.