Training for childcare educators, by educators.

Executive Director, Making Education
Business Leader | Strategic Mentor | People-Centred Executive

Jo Mackenzie-King is the Executive Director at Making Education, bringing extensive expertise in business management, strategic leadership, and organisational development. With a background in human resources, finance, operations, and governance, Jo plays a pivotal role in ensuring the organisation operates with clarity, purpose, and impact.

Holding a Bachelor of Business and guided by a philosophy of lifelong learning, Jo is deeply committed to growing both people and performance. She leads with a focus on empowering individuals, building capable teams, and creating an environment where talent is recognised, nurtured, and aligned with meaningful outcomes.

Jo’s leadership style is collaborative and future-focused. She believes that the strongest organisations are those that invest in their people — and she models this belief through mentoring, ongoing learning, and strategic visioning. Her ability to harness the strengths of those around her continues to drive the success of Making Education as a trusted provider in the early childhood education and care sector.

With a deep understanding of business systems and a passion for capability building, Jo ensures that Making Education remains adaptive, values-driven, and positioned for long-term success.

Strategic Operations Advisor, Making Education
People-Focused Leader | Compliance & Governance Strategist | Organisational Development Specialist

Gerard Bolger is a seasoned leader with over 20 years of experience in stakeholder engagement, operational effectiveness, and team development across diverse sectors. At Making Education, Gerard supports the organisation’s day-to-day operations and long-term strategy, helping to ensure that systems, processes, and people are aligned for high-quality outcomes.

With a strong background in both psychology and business, Gerard brings a rare combination of analytical insight and human understanding to his work. He is particularly skilled at navigating complex interpersonal dynamics, building collaborative cultures, and supporting teams to perform at their best.

Gerard’s role at Making Education focuses on enhancing internal operations, maintaining strong compliance and governance practices, and supporting the broader team to work effectively and purposefully. His calm, authentic leadership style and commitment to ethical, people-centred practice make him a valuable contributor to the organisation’s continued growth and impact.

Driven by a belief in the power of people to create meaningful change, Gerard ensures that Making Education remains not only efficient and compliant — but also connected, supportive, and aligned to its mission.

Early Childhood Leader & Sector Advocate | Guest Contributor at Making Education

Jordan Stanway is a respected leader in early childhood education with over a decade of experience driving quality outcomes for children, educators, and families. As a guest contributor at Making Education, Jordan shares practical insights drawn from his extensive experience across centre leadership, compliance, and operational strategy.

His professional philosophy centres on the belief that early learning should be expressive, inclusive, and grounded in genuine relationships. Jordan is particularly passionate about fostering environments where children’s voices are heard — often championing creative practices like self-portraits and open-ended exploration to support self-identity and emotional development.

Jordan’s career spans key leadership roles, including centre management and organisational operations, giving him a deep understanding of both the regulatory and relational sides of early childhood education. He is known for his collaborative leadership style, strong mentoring skills, and commitment to continuous improvement across services.

At Making Education, Jordan brings a valuable sector voice to topics such as quality practice, team development, leadership, and compliance. His contributions reflect a deep belief in the power of early education to shape lives — not just for children, but for the communities that support them.

Education Experience Designer, Making Education
Early Childhood Professional | Learning Facilitator | Education Designer

Claudette Diaz is an Education Experience Designer at Making Education, where she specialises in creating impactful, accessible training for early childhood professionals. Drawing on her deep sector experience, Claudette works closely with educators and leaders to co-design professional development that is practical, engaging, and grounded in everyday practice.

With a strong background in centre leadership and curriculum development, Claudette brings firsthand insight into the challenges and opportunities facing today’s early learning services. Her approach blends educational theory with real-world understanding, ensuring that the programs she helps design resonate with educators and support meaningful outcomes for children.

As part of her role, Claudette facilitates a range of non-accredited professional development programs, guiding teams through reflective practice, quality improvement, and sector-specific learning. She is also a key contributor to the development of Making Education’s online and blended learning experiences, ensuring they are both pedagogically sound and practitioner-friendly.

Claudette is passionate about elevating the role of educators through training that inspires confidence, builds capability, and leads to long-term growth in early childhood education and care.

Commercial and Strategic Advisor, Making Education
Finance Leader | Chartered Accountant | Business Strategist

Carey Jacob brings over 20 years of senior management experience across construction, health, and support services, with a strong focus on financial leadership and commercial strategy. At Making Education, Carey applies his broad expertise to support the organisation’s growth, sustainability, and long-term impact in the early childhood education sector.

With a background that spans both technical and commercial accounting, Carey’s insights play a key role in guiding operational decision-making and strategic planning. His ability to analyse complex financial information, manage risk, and drive performance ensures that Making Education remains well-positioned to deliver high-quality, accessible professional learning at scale.

Carey holds a Bachelor of Engineering and is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales — a reflection of his commitment to professional excellence and ethical standards. Known for his analytical mindset and pragmatic approach to problem-solving, Carey supports the team with a clear financial vision and a strong foundation for sustainable growth.

His cross-industry perspective and deep commercial acumen add valuable strength to Making Education’s leadership, helping to align purpose with performance in every aspect of the business.

Finance and Payroll Administrator, Making Education
Business Operations Specialist | Finance and Payroll Professional

Joanne brings over 14 years of experience in finance and payroll to her role at Making Education. With a strong background in managing complex payroll systems, financial processes, and compliance requirements, she now applies this expertise to support the operations that enable high-quality education and training delivery.

Known for her precision, reliability, and commitment to service, Joanne is passionate about ensuring that behind-the-scenes processes run smoothly so that educators and learners can stay focused on what matters most — professional growth and improved outcomes for children.

Joining the education and training sector marks an exciting new chapter in Joanne’s career. Her transition reflects a desire to contribute to an organisation with purpose and to apply her skills in a way that supports the early childhood education community.

At Making Education, Joanne plays a vital role in strengthening our operational foundations, ensuring that our team and partners are well-supported through efficient, accurate, and human-centred financial administration.

Marketing Coordinator, Making Education
Brand & Campaign Strategy | Early Childhood Sector Engagement | Digital Growth

As the Marketing Coordinator at Making Education, I lead the planning and delivery of marketing initiatives that connect educators and services with meaningful, high-quality professional learning opportunities. My role focuses on translating our vision into clear, engaging campaigns that reflect the realities of the early childhood sector and the needs of educators on the ground.

Working across digital platforms, content creation, and campaign strategy, I support the growth of Making Education by strengthening our brand presence and ensuring our messaging resonates with both new and existing audiences. From online professional development to workshops and consultancy, I am committed to showcasing the value and impact of our offerings in a way that is practical, accessible, and relevant.

I collaborate closely with leadership and educators to ensure our marketing remains aligned with sector priorities, emerging trends, and the evolving needs of services. This includes gathering insights, refining our approach, and continuously improving how we communicate and deliver our products.

Driven by a passion for early childhood education and strong, purpose-led communication, I aim to position Making Education as a trusted partner for educators, supporting them to grow, reflect, and deliver high-quality outcomes for children and families