Montessori Academy Executive and Leadership Team

Colette Assaf, the Founder & Chief Executive Officer at Montessori Academy, directs the overarching strategic vision for early childhood education excellence. Assaf architects the long-term growth trajectory, ensuring the organization maintains high standards across all Australian childcare facilities. By aligning educational philosophy with operational execution, the Founder & Chief Executive Officer drives the expansion of the brand while preserving the personalized family-feel daycare environment. Colette Assaf monitors market trends to refine the curriculum, fostering environments where curiosity and natural talents flourish. This leadership role involves constant collaboration with the Board to secure resources for facility upgrades and pedagogical innovation. Through rigorous oversight of the company mission, the Founder & Chief Executive Officer guarantees that every child receives an exceptional learning experience. Ultimately, Assaf secures the market position of the group as a premier provider of Montessori-based education, ensuring sustainable development and consistent quality across the entire network.

Rami Nassif, the Chief Operating Officer at Montessori Academy, oversees the daily functionality and logistical efficiency of all childcare facilities. Nassif directs the implementation of operational protocols that maintain world-class standards in safety, hygiene, and educational delivery. By streamlining internal processes, the Chief Operating Officer ensures that each center operates with the personalized care of a family-feel daycare while benefiting from the scale of a large group. Rami Nassif manages the physical infrastructure and resource allocation, supporting the educational staff in providing an environment conducive to discovery and curiosity. This leadership role requires constant coordination with regional managers to monitor performance metrics and facility compliance. Through meticulous attention to operational detail, the Chief Operating Officer drives efficiency and consistency across the entire Australian network. Nassif guarantees that the organizational infrastructure supports the core mission of providing excellence in early childhood education at every stage of the child's development journey.

Michaela Rath-May, the Chief Marketing Officer at Montessori Academy, manages brand positioning and parent engagement strategies across the Australian market. Rath-May designs comprehensive outreach programs that highlight the unique benefits of the Montessori approach, effectively communicating the value of early childhood education to prospective families. By analyzing enrollment data and community feedback, the Chief Marketing Officer optimizes digital presence and local awareness campaigns. Michaela Rath-May coordinates with the operations team to ensure marketing messaging reflects the actual classroom experience and facility standards. This role involves managing the public image of the organization, driving growth through targeted communication, and building trust with parents during the critical development years from birth to age six. Through strategic brand management, the Chief Marketing Officer strengthens the reputation of the company, ensuring that the mission of excellence reaches a wider audience while maintaining the intimate, personalized service characteristic of the brand.

Shelly Li, the Chief People Officer at Montessori Academy, manages the recruitment, training, and retention of high-caliber educators across the organization. Li architects professional development programs that ensure staff members possess the expertise required to deliver world-class Montessori education. By fostering a culture of continuous learning and support, the Chief People Officer aligns the workforce with the company mission of nurturing natural talents and abilities in children. Shelly Li oversees human resources policies that promote employee well-being and professional growth, which directly impacts the quality of care provided to students. This role involves collaborating with the executive team to build a resilient, motivated workforce capable of maintaining the high standards expected by families. Through strategic talent management, the Chief People Officer ensures that the organization attracts and retains the best professionals in the industry, ultimately driving the success of the educational journey for every child within the network.