Management Team

Dr Lisa Barnes has worked in tertiary institutions for more than 12 years – including at Newcastle University – with experience teaching at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, face-to-face and online. She has taught in Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur and Sweden and presented at conferences in Portugal, the United States and New Zealand.  

Growing up on the Central Coast, Dr Barnes spent much time performing in eisteddfods, with the Central Coast Concert Band and in musical theatre. Her children attended the Conservatorium’s early childhood and Children’s Music Programs and have gone on to continue their music education into their teens and early adult years. 

Formerly Head of School at the Avondale Arts and Business School Dr Barnes serves on the Advisory Board for the Australian Academy of Business Leadership and is Deputy Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee of the Australian Curriculum, and Assessment Reporting Authority. ACARA is an independent statutory authority responsible for the development of a national curriculum, a national assessment program, and a national data collection and reporting program that supports learning for Australian students.

She is also Treasurer of Coastlink, a not-for-profit youth disability provider and has a special interest in social responsibility, and financial and corporate governance of not-for-profit organisations, having been a director on numerous not-for-profit and Australian government boards.

Dr Barnes is a Fellow of the Certified Practicing Accountants Australia, a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and holds a Master of Business Administration and a Doctorate of Business Administration degree.