Our Board
Our Board is made up of 12 experienced people who are passionate about leading Marian College.
Presiding Member (Chair) and Proprietor's Representative
Carmel Gregan-Ford | Carmel is a registered nurse and has spent many years working in a variety of educational and leadership positions in healthcare and NGOs. Carmel has a son and two daughters, both of whom are past pupils of Marian College. Carmel has more than ten years of governance experience and has been on the Marian College Board for nine years.
Proprietor's Representatives
Sr Eleanor Capper rsj | Sr Eleanor has been a Proprietor's Representative on the Marian College Board of Trustees since 2008. She has been Assistant Congregational Leader, Sisters of St Joseph in Sydney and has a long association with the Catholic Education Office. Sr Eleanor was McKillop College Principal for three years and Marian College Principal from 1982-1995.
Iovino Fidow | Iovino has two daughters who are past students of Marian College.
Proprietor's Representative and Deputy Presiding Member
Louise MacKay | Louise is a teacher and DRS at St Francis of Assisi Catholic School, where two of her children attend. She has a daughter currently at Marian College. She has served on boards at both the preschool and primary school levels and is committed to ensuring Marian College is a supportive, inclusive, challenging, and happy school environment where students can achieve their full potential.
Parent Trustees
Caroline Elkington | Caroline is a parent of a current Year 11 student with another daughter who is eager to join in 3 years' time. She is committed to the long-term success of the school community. Her nine years of board experience (including seven as presiding member) have equipped her with the governance skills needed to support strategic decision-making and foster positive outcomes. Her active involvement in the PTA since her eldest daughter enrolled at Marian College has allowed her to contribute meaningfully to school initiatives and build lasting relationships.
Kirsty Mahoney | Kirsty has two children, one in Year 11 at Marian College and the other in Year 9 at St Bede’s College. She is a Senior Project Management Consultant for Leva Advisory, and brings over 25 years of experience in environmental management, regional planning, stakeholder engagement, as well as project delivery. She is Chair of the Marian PTA, working alongside an amazing team to support the school’s staff and students with a positive learning environment.
Matthew Malone | Matthew is the Principal at Our Lady of Assumption Catholic Primary School. Matthew has previous board experience as the proprietor’s representative and as a board chair and has 18 years of varied experience in education. He is committed to the mission of Catholic education to provide every student with the opportunity to know Christ and achieve their true potential.
Nathan O'Connell | Nathan and his wife have three children - their son is in Year 13 at St Bede’s College, and their daughters are in Year 9 at Marian College and Year 7 at St Francis of Assisi School. He has served as the Presiding Member (Chairperson) on the St Francis of Assisi School Board of Trustees as a parent representative for the past six years. He is self-employed as a Resource Management Commissioner, and prior to this, was a Team Leader at the Christchurch City Council for 9 years.
Nicole Vercoe | Nicole is a proud Marian College alumna, graduating in 2005. She went on to study Physiotherapy at the University of Otago, which led to a career focused on health, rehabilitation, and leadership. She currently works as the Clinical Manager at the Laura Fergusson Brain Injury Trust, where she leads a multidisciplinary team supporting individuals with complex rehabilitation needs. She and her husband have three young children.
Staff Trustee
Clare Kelly | Clare has taught at Marian College for nine years. She teaches Mathematics and Commerce and is the Year 12 Dean.
Student Trustee
Lily Bobadilla | Lily has been elected for 2025-26, and is in Year 11 this year.
Principal
Mary-Lou Davidson | Mary-Lou has taught at Marian College for 26 years and has been Principal for ten years. As Principal of our College, Mary-Lou acts as the Board's chief executive and manages the school according to the Board's direction and policies.
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