Clontarf Foundation Executive and Leadership Team

Gerard Neesham, the Chief Executive Officer at Clontarf Foundation, directs the overarching strategy and vision for the organization's critical mission. Overseeing the expansion and operational integrity of the Clontarf Academies across Australia, the Chief Executive Officer ensures alignment with the Foundation's core objectives of improving life outcomes for young Aboriginal men. This leadership role involves fostering key partnerships with schools and communities, driving the strategic direction that leverages Australian Rules Football and Rugby League to enhance academic engagement and discipline. By guiding the development of integrated support systems, Gerard Neesham ensures that participants receive comprehensive mentoring and counseling alongside academic instruction. The Chief Executive Officer's focus remains on sustaining the high retention rates and improved school attendance that define Clontarf's proven success as a school-engagement mechanism. Through strategic planning and dedicated leadership, Neesham solidifies the Foundation's impact on educational participation and youth development.

Craig Brierty, the Deputy Chief Executive Officer at Clontarf Foundation, supports the Chief Executive Officer in executing the organization's strategic initiatives and operational management. This role involves direct oversight of program implementation across multiple states, ensuring the consistent delivery of the Foundation's distinctive model. The Deputy Chief Executive Officer manages the day-to-day operations of the football academies, working closely with school partners and on-site staff to maintain high standards of participant engagement and support. Craig Brierty focuses on refining the academy programming, which encompasses education, leadership development, employment preparation, and healthy lifestyle promotion, ensuring these elements effectively address the challenges of socioeconomic disadvantage and school disengagement. By driving operational efficiencies and fostering strong relationships within the network, the Deputy Chief Executive Officer contributes significantly to the Foundation's ability to attract and retain young Aboriginal men. Brierty's leadership ensures the continued success of Clontarf's approach to youth development and educational participation.

Jane Conder, the Chief Financial Officer at Clontarf Foundation, manages the organization's financial health and resource allocation to support its extensive operations. This critical function ensures the sustainability of the Clontarf Academies across Western Australia, Northern Territory, Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland. The Chief Financial Officer oversees budgeting, financial reporting, and compliance, providing essential financial oversight for a non-profit organization dedicated to youth development. Jane Conder's responsibilities include developing financial strategies that enable the Foundation to serve approximately 4,700 participants annually, maximizing the impact of every dollar invested in improving life outcomes for young Aboriginal men. By maintaining rigorous financial controls and seeking opportunities for funding, Conder ensures the long-term viability of programs that address school disengagement and promote academic success. This financial leadership is fundamental to Clontarf's ability to operate its distinctive model effectively and achieve its mission.

James McNamee, the Chief Operations Officer at Clontarf Foundation, directs the operational execution of the Foundation's programs across Australia. This role is central to ensuring the effective functioning of the football academies established through partnerships with local schools. The Chief Operations Officer oversees the logistical and administrative aspects of the program, supporting the full-time, locally based Clontarf staff who provide vital mentoring and counseling. James McNamee focuses on optimizing the delivery of academy programming, which includes education, leadership development, employment preparation, and healthy lifestyle promotion, ensuring these components are integrated seamlessly with academic instruction. By managing the operational framework, McNamee supports the Foundation's distinctive model that leverages sport to attract and retain students, thereby addressing school disengagement and improving attendance. This operational leadership is key to maintaining the high retention rates and measurable impact Clontarf achieves for young Aboriginal men.