Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE) has appointed three new members to its Board of Directors, adding deep expertise from the vocational education and training (VET) and medical research sectors.
We are pleased to welcome:
- Julie Tickle, Chief People Officer, TAFE NSW
- Kit McMahon, CEO, Women’s Health in the South East (WHISE)
- Khaled Chakli, Deputy CEO, Director of Policy and Director of Communications, Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences
Their expertise builds on our existing connections and extensive experience in the higher education, medical research and public research agency sectors.
The incoming board members join us at a pivotal moment as SAGE develops new national GEDI accreditation programs for TAFEs and Medical Research Institutes (MRI) to create safer and fairer workplaces and learning environments.
Rebecca Murray, Chair of the SAGE Board of Directors, welcomed the new appointments.
“These appointments are a reflection of where SAGE is heading. Our board now spans vocational education, medical research and beyond. That breadth means we are even better placed to drive meaningful change across science and tertiary education sectors.”
SAGE CEO Dr Janin Bredehoeft: “I am excited to welcome Julie, Kit and Khaled to the SAGE Board. Each of them brings a perspective that will make us sharper, more connected to the communities we serve, and better at work. I am looking forward to the conversations ahead.”
Julie Tickle
Chief People Officer, TAFE NSW
Julie Tickle leads workforce strategy for Australia’s largest registered training organisation. She brings over 20 years’ experience across the education and training sector, with deep expertise in workplace culture, organisational development and large-scale transformation.
A committed advocate for equity, diversity and inclusion, Julie has driven systemic approaches that embed inclusive leadership, strengthen workforce participation and deliver measurable cultural and performance outcomes.
Kit McMahon
CEO, Women’s Health in the South East (WHISE)
Kit McMahon brings to SAGE over 25 years of experience driving systemic reform across gender equity, vocational education and social justice. She has spent her career implementing gender equality plans across TAFE, local government and skills policy, making her a natural fit for SAGE’s mission.
Kit is a nationally recognised voice on gender equity in vocational education and training. As National Convenor of Women in Adult and Vocational Education (WAVE), she led advocacy that contributed to the federal government’s $45–$60 million Building Women’s Careers Program. She is Co-Chair of the Independent Collective of Survivors (ICOS) and a past Chair of Tradeswomen Australia and has served on advisory bodies to Jobs and Skills Australia and the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations.
Khaled Chakli
Deputy CEO, The Academy of Health and Medical Sciences
Khaled Chakli is an experienced executive, board director and former ministerial adviser with a background spanning health and medical science, public policy, advocacy, governance and community leadership.
He leads national policy, communications and stakeholder engagement across government and the health and medical research sector at the Academy of Health and Medical Sciences.
Khaled led the development of the sector’s first decadal plan for women in health and medical sciences, establishing a national framework to address structural barriers and support the recognition, advancement and retention of women across the sector.
Our SAGE Board
Julie, Kit and Khaled join our current members of the SAGE board:
Rebecca Murray (Chair), Dr James Johnson, Heather Watson, and Prof. Katherine Belov.
