About

After completing a Graduate Certificate in Career Counselling in 2008, Jo has been employed as a teacher career practitioner in ACT schools, CIT and the ACT Education Directorate. She completed a Graduate Diploma in Career Education and Development in 2011. Now retired, Jo continues to volunteer in the ACT career community.

Andrew is the career practitioner at Calwell High School and delivers career development services primarily to years 9 and 10 students. His career in education began at Karabar High School in 2011, supporting students with disabilities, before moving to Calwell High School in 2019. He completed a Graduate Certificate in Career Development Practice in 2022. Andrew brings a range of real-world experiences to this role on the committee, having previously owned and managed his own business in Sydney and worked as a professional golfer. Andrew was the recipient of the ACTCA’s Innovation in Career Development award in 2024.

Mel commenced teaching in the ACT in 2002 and has taught Humanities and Business (VET) across a number of ACT public high schools and colleges. She completed her Graduate Certificate in Careers Counselling with RMIT and Certificate IV in Training & Assessment in 2005 and since this time has introduced Career Education programs aligned with Work Studies curriculum across several ACT schools. Mel is currently employed as an executive teacher and program manager in the ACT Education Directorate’s Education Support Office. Mel’s area of interest is aligning programs with curriculum, mapping competencies, standards and outcomes to the Australian Blueprint for Career Development and developing career education programs for all students; specifically in improving the transition to work outcomes for students who have mental health barriers, or those who require additional support in connecting with education.

Livia has been teaching since 1983, in ACT secondary schools, the CIT and Germany. She has provided career development support to young people in the Tuggeranong valley, combined with teaching and supporting students with disabilities since 1990. Believing that everyone wants to experience career success, Livia supports and encourages youth to make well informed decisions about their post school options. Livia has found that collaboration with colleagues, a broad range of organisations and family members provides the best outcomes so contributes to the school’s Case Management and Wellbeing teams and also the Tuggeranong Secondary School Transition group. She looks forward to working with the ACTCA membership to strengthen the profile of Career Development in the ACT.

Alison has been a career advisor in ACT high schools, colleges and the Directorate. She completed her Graduate Certificate of Career Development in 2009, developed Flexible Learning Options (FLOs), that became VLO’s, now VLPs, organised PD as past ACT Convenor of CAA NSW & ACT and has mentored advisors. Alison was Executive of Student Wellbeing at Belconnen High School (BHS), and transitioned to a teacher career development practitioner role at BHS in 2025. Alison was the recipient of the ACT Career Development Practitioner of the Year award in 2024.

Chontel has completed her Graduate Certificate in Career Development and Education in 2013 and is currently employed as the teacher career practitioner at Hawker College. She has teaching and career practitioner experience in both ACT high school and colleges. Chontel’s special interest is improving the career development outcomes for students who have a disability, mental health barriers, or those who require additional help engaging with education.

Traci’s is a qualified Youth Support Worker and was employed at Calwell High School in this role in 2010. In 2013 Traci assisted the school careers advisor to organise work experience placements for the students in year 9 and 10. This dual role as youth worker and work experience assistant complimented other each and motivated Traci to study her Certificate IV in Career Development at Canberra Institute of Technology. In 2019 Traci commenced as the career advisor at Calwell High School and in 2020 she completed her Graduate Certificate in Career Development Practice at CEAV Institute. In 2022 Traci worked as the Head Start Industry Co-ordinator in the Careers and Vocational Pathways section in the ACT Education Directorate. In 2023 Traci was employed by Mount Stromlo High School as a full-time career development practitioner. Traci is passionate about building school – industry engagement and supporting students to explore and experience vocational pathways during high school.