Meet our Staff

Phil O’Loughlin

Phil O’Loughlin

Chief Executive

Phil joined SASSLA in 2018 after a successful career as the Executive Director, Human Resources, in the Department for Education. Phil has lengthy experience in executive positions in the public sector and brings a wealth of knowledge with respect to human resources management, industrial relations, and employment related policy. Phil has been instrumental in guiding strategy to extend and improve SASSLA’s service offerings to members, particularly in developing policy positions on employment matters that reflect the interests and aspirations of our members including remuneration, workload, and attraction and retention. His work is designed to generate discussion and engagement with our members and influence government and departmental decision making. Phil also engages his expertise in assisting members with complex issues relating to their employment.

Leanne James

Leanne James

Business Leader

Leanne joined SASSLA in 2014 and has a corporate background in local, state and federal government and holds a Masters in Human Resource Management. She is responsible for the governance of the Association, including financial management, marketing and communications, along with member assistance and research and policy writing. Leanne regularly carries out site visits with members and can act as a support person for members undertaking formal interviews with respect to investigations, performance management and conflict resolution. Leanne has undertaken various research projects and reports to advocate for evidence based reform for leaders’ employment conditions and wellbeing along with staffing practices and workforce planning. Leanne is an active member of SASSLA’s advocacy team and meets regularly with departmental executives, politicians, and other education stakeholders.

Mardi Barry

Mardi Barry

Associate

Mardi joined SASSLA in 2021 as an Associate after a long and highly successful career in the Department for Education. She has experience in secondary teaching followed by corporate experience in the areas of child protection, equal opportunity, and employee misconduct. Before joining SASSLA, Mardi was the Director, Employee Relations, for the Department and undertook employee relations strategy development and implementation, negotiation and implementation of enterprise agreements, and the management of industrial disputes. Mardi also led employee relations policy development and review, employee complaint resolution, and performance management including managing underperformance of staff and matters of non-compensable incapacity. Mardi is highly experienced in providing advice to SASSLA members in all areas of human resource management.

Anne Kibble

Anne Kibble

Associate

Anne is a new addition to the SASSLA team in 2025 in the role of Associate. She has had a highly successful career in public education and has experience in a variety of roles including Primary School Principal and Education Director. In 2021, Anne was part of the original team that established SASSLA along with being a founding Board Member for nine years. Anne moved to Central Office in the Partnerships Schools and Preschools division from 2010-2015, carrying out a variety of roles managing key strategies and projects, before moving to People and Culture division in 2015. She has a high level of understanding and knowledge to assist SASSLA members, particularly in the areas of departmental policy, enterprise agreements, site staffing processes, financial management, critical incident management, and community and industrial complaint resolution.

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