Board of Directors

Bishop Daniel Meagher
Bishop Daniel Meagher
Chair

Bishop Daniel was appointed to the SCECS Board in January 2023. He studied economics and law at the University of Sydney and practised law for three years with Mallesons Stephen Jaques. In 1989 he commenced formation for the priesthood at St Patrick’s College, Manly and was ordained a Priest in 1995. 

Bishop Daniel is currently a Director of Sydney Catholic Schools Ltd and Catholic Schools NSW Ltd. He has also served on the Catholic Weekly Board, St John’s College and Sancta Sophia College Board and was the Director of CatholicCare Sydney from 2006 until 2013.

Glenn McLachlan
Glenn McLachlan
Non-Executive Director

Glenn is a Chartered Accountant and currently the Director of Finance and Property for Sydney Catholic Schools.

As the Director of Finance and Property, Glenn is responsible for Property, Planning and Facilities, Capital Programs, and Finance for 152 Schools and Central Office within the Sydney Archdiocese. Glenn has been with Sydney Catholic Schools since January 2017 and previously, Glenn has held roles with BSA, Tyco, Deloitte and James Hardie Australia.

Glenn currently sits as a Board member on the Advisory Board of Directors of the Catholic Development Fund, The Edmund Rice Centre and the Board of Directors of Sydney Catholic Early Childhood Services.

Greg Gleeson
Greg Gleeson
Non-Executive Director

Greg is a Childcare Development & Operations Specialist with over 30 years as an entrepreneur, marketing executive, real estate developer and childcare operator. Greg has built a variety of businesses including children's services. As a principal developer, he has delivered projects from $5-20M. Greg currently advises a number of not-for-profit education providers in the childcare sector. 

Mary Digges
Mary Digges
Non-Executive Director

Mary is an early childhood education consultant based in Sydney. She is the founder and director of MDR Education PL, a company specialising in educational projects, advisory, audit and registrations and developments for private and public sector clients. Mary joined the Board of SCECS in 2020.  

Mary is a qualified teacher, early childhood educator and manager, and has worked as a lecturer, trainer and assessor and consultant in Australia, China and Singapore serving on executive management teams while supporting and enhancing her global educational perspective. Mary has led early childhood study tours in Scandinavia, Canada, the US, and north Asia.

Mary has a particular interest in and passion for the bilingual and multilingual education of children, the pedagogy of nature in early childhood and the best early learning centre design for young children.

Mary brings to the SCECS Board a wealth of experience and expertise built up over 30 years in early childhood education.

Reverend Father Thomas Stevens
Reverend Father Thomas Stevens
Non-Executive Director

Father Thomas is a Priest of the Sydney Archdiocese and former commercial lawyer. He is Parish Priest of St Patrick's, Mortlake as well as a Police Chaplain and Catholic Chaplain to the Australian Turf Club.

Marina Papic
Marina Papic
Non-Executive Director

Marina Papic is Professor of Early Childhood Education and Mathematics Education at the Australian Catholic University. She has worked in the education sector for 40 years and has held various roles including: Head of School - Institute of Early Childhood, Macquarie University Sydney; Director of the Children and Families Research Centre, Macquarie University Sydney; Goodstart Early Learning NSW/ACT State Manager; Executive Officer Primary of an independent PreK-12 College; and Manager of Children’s Services, Blacktown City Council.

Marina has led large research projects focused on early childhood curriculum and practice, early numeracy, and professional development of teachers. She was a member of the ACECQA Ratings Review Panel for two terms and a member of the consortium of early childhood experts contracted to develop the first national Early Years Learning Framework. Marina sits on several NFP Boards and Advisory Committees including the NSW Department of Education, Early Childhood Education Advisory Group.

Cathy Young
Cathy Young
Non-Executive Director

Cathy is an educator and has worked in Catholic Education for 40 years, the last 15 of those as a Primary School Principal in Sydney Catholic Schools. Cathy has previously also held roles as Head: Gifted Education K-12 and Project Officer: Religious Education in SCS. 

Cathy holds qualifications in primary education, religious education, leadership and gifted education.  Her doctoral research focussed on the identification of gifted students in Catholic primary schools. Cathy has a particular interest in design principles for contemporary learning environments. 

Cathy currently sits as a Board member on the NSW ACU Chapter and is a member of the  SCS Sports Council.

Marco Blanco
Marco Blanco
Non-Executive Director

Marco Blanco is the Founder and CEO of Child Safeguard. Marco is a solicitor and specialises in Child Protection and Safeguarding. He works with child-related organisations to help design and implement child protection policies, procedures, and practices to prevent harm taking place to children and young people.  

Marco has over 20 years’ experience working in both private and non profit sectors in the areas of Law, Education, International Development, Child and Human Rights. He is an Industry Leader, media commentator, regular keynote speaker, specialist advisor, and current board member of the Aquatics and Recreation Institute NSW.