Board ballot

About Kylie

With over three decades of experience in social research and evaluation, I bring a proven passion and commitment to advancing high-quality, inclusive, and culturally responsive evaluation practice across Australia. I find my purpose in leading transformative governance projects in new technologies as Executive Director at the Social Research Centre, and in previous leadership roles in Ipsos and Colmar Brunton. As an ally I have championed participatory research models, two-way learning, supporting lived experience and peer researchers in community-led evaluations across remote and regional Australia. I have focused on advancing research methodologies, technologies and evaluation practice through the lens of accountability, transferability and replicability.

My academic credentials, including a PhD thesis on data quality in online surveys from the University of Queensland, underpin my continued focus on methodological excellence and technological innovation. My career is defined by a passion for data quality, continuous improvement, and creating positive social impact through best-practice research and evaluation.

Collaboration and shared learning are at the core of my professional ethos. As a member of both the AES and AMSRS, I contributed to joint seminars in Queensland, broadening access to thought leadership for evaluators and researchers. My commitment to the evaluation profession is further demonstrated through my past service supporting regional networks.

Having served in executive leadership positions over the past 20 years I have seen the rapid pace of technological and social change, and the need to be open to new ideas, committed to ongoing professional development, and adaptive to evolving challenges. My core strengths include strategic vision and leadership with a clear understanding of governance and fiduciary responsibilities. My role as a skills-based non- Indigenous board director for Mununjali Health Services has drawn on my collaborative mindset, communication and interpersonal skills, willingness to learn and adapt, critical analysis and decision-making ability.

As a Board Director, I will dedicate my energy and expertise to strengthen AES governance and strategy, champion diversity and inclusion, and foster a vibrant evaluation community fit for a diverse and technologically evolving Australia. I welcome the opportunity to serve and contribute to the ongoing success and vision of the Society.

About Andrew

I am an experienced, articulate, and passionate advocate for evaluation. I am asking for this opportunity to represent members of the AES to promote the professional discipline and field of evaluation and what it can do to contribute to a more thoughtful world.

Evaluators are a diverse bunch and contribute value in different ways. In times of heated debates about what counts as quality evaluation I have the ability to understand the arguments of different sides and negotiate a future that creates space for diverse approaches and quality evaluation that makes a difference.

I have been an active member of the AES since 2007 and a board member for the last two years. I was co-Chair of the Realist Special Interest Group between 2012 and 2016 and founded the Systems Evaluation Special Interest Group in 2019 and continue to participate on it. I have won two AES awards for excellence. I have studied evaluation theory in depth and hold expertise in many approaches and methods and provide regular workshops on a range of topics. Evaluation may be studied, but its real value is in its application.

For the last 18 years I have been a full-time practising evaluator at ARTD where I am currently Chief Evaluator. I have managed or led over 250 substantial evaluations for public and not-for-profit clients across the policy spectrum. I am a champion of diverse approaches to evaluation and ways of knowing. I have skills in deep listening, relationships, and the experience to understand the views of AES members. I have a passion for the next generation and widening and extending career pathways for all evaluators.

My track record shows my commitment to AES values, my involvement is always focused on benefits to all evaluators regardless of how or where they practice evaluation. I am focused on ensuring a respected and thriving profession that can promote more reasoned action. Evaluation to me is more than a profession though, it is also a vocation, and the most important tool we have for active citizenry to promote an inclusive and democratic society.

About Spero

Throughout my career, evaluation has been a consistent thread weaving together diverse experiences across sectors and settings. I’ve had the opportunity to design, implement, and review evaluation projects for government programs, not for profit organisations, and community projects, always with a focus on learning, improvement, and accountability. My approach is grounded in evidence-based practice and a genuine commitment to ethical and transparent evaluation—values that I know the Australian Evaluation Society holds dear.

My work history has allowed me to collaborate with a wide range of stakeholders, from service users and front-line staff to senior executives and policy makers. This has taught me the importance of participatory evaluation and the value of bringing multiple perspectives to the table. I’m particularly passionate about culturally responsive evaluation, ensuring that
processes and findings respect the diversity of communities and contribute to positive social change—something I understand is an important part of the Society’s mission.

I’ve also invested in building evaluation capacity, both as a trainer and mentor. Supporting others to grow their skills not only strengthens practice but also fosters a culture of ongoing inquiry and reflection. This aligns well with the AES’s aim to advance knowledge and professional development in our field.

I see my contribution to the board and the wider association as complementary to the
experience already present. I bring a collaborative mindset, a fresh perspective from personal experience with complex programs, and a readiness to support AES’s strategic direction.

I am a current member of the Public Health Association of Australia. I also support Basketball Australia, as a referee and certified scorer.

About Lee-Anne

I bring strong governance capabilities to an AES Board position, underpinned by formal qualifications (AICD – Foundations of Directorship), 10 years' board-level experience, and strategic insight developed over a 20-year career in evaluation. As a career evaluator and part-owner of the consultancy Clear Horizon (with Dr Jess Dart), I understand both the strategic and operational dimensions of organisational leadership.

My commitment to the AES spans nearly two decades, beginning with active participation in conferences, seminars, and workshops. This evolved to participation in, then leadership of, the AES Victorian Regional Network for seven years, as well as the delivery of AES workshops. I would be delighted to now contribute at a national level, by supporting the AES Board to deliver on its strategic goals and to strengthen the organisation for its members. I’ve worked extensively as an evaluation partner with government agencies at all levels, not-for-profits, foundations, research institutions and industry bodies, giving me a broad perspective on the diverse contexts within which our members operate.

About Kim

I’m delighted by the opportunity to contribute to the AES Board. I offer insights from experience in government, academia and consulting – plus long-term participation in the AES regional committee, Policy Committee and the Editorial Board of the Evaluation Journal of Australasia.

As an evaluation manager and advisor, I’m experienced in social policy, employment services and Indigenous affairs. I bring comprehensive understanding of evaluation utilisation and organisational governance, drawing from a 30-year career. My skillset is wide, including impact evaluation, participatory approaches, theory-based and realist evaluation. I also draw on a Masters in Evaluation (UMelb), to support fit-for-purpose approaches.

The vision of the AES and its enduring value to members is crucial to a sustainable ecosystem. My perspective is formed by exposure to the inner workings of government. My work involves liaising with many parts of the system, such as the Australian Centre for Evaluation. My awareness of member interests draws from roles co convening our annual conference aes25, and the ACT regional committee.

I am a strategic thinker. I’m a member of the renewed AES Policy Committee, where we focus on our directions and needs as a profession. I have published peer-reviewed articles and value knowledge transfer and capability development.

I also draw on insights from consulting, both private sector and with Charles Darwin University. My original degrees, in social science, psychology and sociology, computer science and research methods, help me draw on a broad understanding of our diverse sector and the challenges we face.

The AES fills a crucial role in the evaluation ecosystem of Australian public policy. After many years benefiting from the steady presence of the association in my professional life, I am keen to give back – by contributing to the stewardship of AES as it continues to play an essential part in an evolving sector.

I offer insights into sector relationships, drawn from the public sector, commissioning evaluation, conducting internal evaluation and external consulting. I hope that insights accumulated over three decades, together with my experience in organisational management and governance, can benefit the AES membership and our strategic purpose.

Declaration of interests
Paid employment: Commonwealth Department of Social Services
Voluntary position: Honorary Fellow, Charles Darwin University

About Kate

I’d like to express my interest in becoming an AES Board Director. I believe I bring many years of experience in governance, organisational, and project management that will be of value to advancing the AES strategy and aims.

I have a demonstrated track record of commitment to strengthening and advancing evaluation practice, theory and use, including for indigenous evaluation. I am also a team player, good at collaboration, listening, and actively getting stuck in when things need to be done.

Not only do I have a long history as a practitioner in the evaluation profession, but I also bring an understanding and experience of the operations of evaluation societies and the wider evaluation agenda globally, as well as other for-purpose governance experience.
I am currently a board member (previously Chair) of Xtreme Zero Waste Ltd, in Raglan, New Zealand, but do not see this as a conflict of interest with the AES role.

I would consider it a great privilege and opportunity to be considered for this role.