VU Online welcomes two new Board directors

Victoria University (VU) Online is delighted to announce the appointment of two new directors to its Board: Mr David Barnett and Ms Pru Sanderson.

Both directors bring highly relevant experience to their roles, which will be instrumental in shaping the future direction and growth of VU Online as it builds on the successes of its first four years.

David Barnett

As former Managing Director and CEO of learning and teaching resource company, Pearson Australia/Asia Pacific for nearly 20 years, Mr Barnett played a pivotal role in its transformation to the digital age.

He is currently a non-executive director of Melbourne-based online language learning company E2L, as well as a strategic advisor to advisory and investment firm, KordaMentha.

Pru Sanderson

Ms Sanderson has a long career in senior executive positions, including five years as CEO of the Victorian Government’s property development agency, VicUrban (now Development Victoria) and two years as Co-Deputy Chair of the Committee for Melbourne.

Her résumé also includes experience running university subsidiaries, as former CEO of Monash Property Management, and she is a current Victoria University Councillor.

Joining a strong team

The two new VU Online directors will join other Board Directors, Professor John Germov, VU’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor; Professor Karen Dodd, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Associate) and Executive Dean College of Health, Sport, Engineering and Built Environment; and Mr Benjamin Abbatangelo, former Deputy CEO of the non-profit organisation, Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience (AIME).

In welcoming the two new directors, VU Online CEO Mr Michael Ratcliff paid tribute to former VU Online Director and Chair, Ms Rhonda Hawkins, who is stepping away from the Board after a long and successful career in Higher Education, including Deputy Vice-Chancellorships at Victoria University and Western Sydney University.

Victoria University Online designs, builds, markets and delivers award-winning, online postgraduate courses to students across Australia, in a range of Business, Education, and Healthcare fields.