College Board

Villanova Old Boy (Class of 1982), Peter Finnimore has served as Chair of the Villanova College Board since June 2021. He previously chaired the Risk Committee and held ex-officio roles across all Board committees, contributing broad strategic and governance insight.

Peter is Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Australian Strategic Materials and brings extensive global leadership experience, having lived and worked in eight countries. His career spans international marketing and procurement, complex supply-chain management, major commercial negotiations, and senior executive roles within an ASX Top 50 company.

He holds Bachelor degrees in Law and Commerce and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD). He also chairs the Inspiring Brighter Futures Foundation, is a Trustee of the Paul Finnimore Trust, and a Director at Walkabout Resources Ltd.

Peter’s connection to Villanova is long-standing. He values the friendships, community, and role models who shaped his school years, and he remains actively engaged with the College community.

Email Peter at Chairman@vnc.qld.edu.au

Paula Hoctor has served on the Villanova College Board since 2021 and is Chair of the Mission & Identity Committee and a member of the Succession & Performance Committee. She previously chaired the Foundation Management Committee (2018–2024).

A founder and director of Q Workplace Solutions, Paula leads a national firm specialising in workplace investigations, reviews, and training. She also lectures at the University of Sydney in the postgraduate law subject Workplace Investigations and co-authored the leading industry text Workplace Investigations: Principles and Practice.

Paula holds a Master of Laws (USyd), LLB (Hons) and BA (UQ), and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD). She brings strong governance and leadership expertise spanning complaint handling, procedural fairness, strategic planning, financial oversight, and organisational culture.

Paula’s ties to Villanova are multi-generational; she values Villanova College’s humility, community, and the lifelong friendships it fosters. Her leadership is guided by integrity, empathy, and a commitment to fairness and transparency.

Fr Peter Wieneke OSA joined the Villanova College Board in 2011 and is a past student, teacher, and long-standing member of the Augustinian community. With over 30 years of teaching in Augustinian colleges in Brisbane and Sydney and 16 years as a parish priest, he brings deep insight into Augustinian mission, education, and pastoral care.

Peter serves on the Mission & Identity Committee and the Succession & Performance Committee and has previously served on the board of St Augustine’s College. Holding a BA, Dip Ed, and M Ed Admin, Fr Pete pairs academic expertise with decades of Catholic educational leadership.

Peter values Villanova as “a place to belong” and is committed to sustaining its Augustinian spirit. Active across College life – and even tending the Villa Bees – he believes that “one thermometer of a school’s success is the happiness of its students.”

Kush Sami (Class of 2011) is a Villa Old Boy serving on the Villanova College Board, appointed in January 2024. Also the current Chair of the Villanova Foundation Management Committee, he brings strong governance experience from his roles with SWARA and AusTTA, alongside qualifications in business, finance, and an MBA.

Kush works as a Senior Manager in Group Operations, specialising in strategic planning, governance, financial management, and business transformation. His journey back to Villanova began in 2020 through a stationery drive supporting children in Australia, Sri Lanka, and Fiji – an initiative that led to his involvement with the Foundation and ultimately the Board.

Deeply connected to the Old Boys network, local businesses, and many long-standing Villa families, Kush is committed to strengthening the community that shaped him.

For Kush, Board service is a way to give back and help create the same opportunities for the next generation of Villanovans.

Kevin Mar Fan joined the Villanova College Board in January 2026 and serves as Chair of the Risk Committee. He brings extensive expertise in finance, risk management, governance, information systems and regulatory compliance.

Kevin is a Partner in Risk Consulting at Grant Thornton Australia. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce from The University of Queensland and is a Chartered Accountant and Certified Information Systems Auditor, as well as a member of the Institute of Internal Auditors.

He has significant governance experience, having previously served as Deputy Board Chair and Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee at Loreto College Coorparoo Ltd. He is also a Board Member and Treasurer of Logan Together, and served on the Advisory Board of the Forde Foundation.

Kevin’s connection to Villanova comes through family and community ties. He values Villanova’s commitment to creating an inclusive environment where every student is known and supported to thrive.

Appointed to the Villanova College Board in September 2022, Dr Kathy Gibbs serves as Chair of the Succession and Performance Committee. With more than 35 years’ experience across schools and higher education, she is a Senior Lecturer and researcher at Griffith University, teaching in Education and Special Needs programs. A former Deputy Principal and Acting Principal, she holds an Educational Doctorate in Education.

Dr Gibbs has also contributed nationally through her role as a Board Director for ADHD Australia, supporting improved outcomes for neurodiverse learners. Her connection to Villanova is personal – her grandson is currently in Year 11 – and she is inspired by the College’s strong relationships and living Augustinian values.

Passionate about shaping the future of education, she enjoys engaging with colleagues in research and educational reform. She is guided by the belief: “A one-size-fits-all teaching pedagogy does not work in 21st century schools.”

Dr Liam Smith joined the Villanova College Board in December 2023 and serves on the Building and Capital Committee. He brings significant experience in educational leadership and governance, particularly within Catholic education.

Liam is the National Executive Director and CEO of Edmund Rice Education Australia, leading strategy and school improvement across its national network. He holds a Doctorate in Education, along with qualifications in teaching, education, law, and leadership.

His expertise includes education systems reform, school leadership, and Catholic Church governance. He is also a Director at Union College.

Steve Davidson joined the Villanova College Board in January 2024 and serves on the Building and Capital Committee, having previously contributed to the Risk Committee. A Villanova Old Boy and past parent, he brings a strong commitment to giving back to the community that shaped him.

Steve is a senior executive in the financial services sector, with leadership experience across operations, strategy, change delivery, communications, and government relations within a $300 billion organisation. He led one of Australia’s largest superannuation mergers and championed a partnership to improve financial literacy for young Australians.

He holds an MBA, is a GAICD, and has postgraduate qualifications in finance, investments, project management, and Lean Six Sigma. His strengths include financial strategy, risk management, change execution, and stakeholder communication. Known for thoughtful questioning and adaptive thinking, Steve values progress grounded in open dialogue.

Deeply connected to Villanova, he describes it as “a strong community that endures beyond the College grounds.”

Paulette Corkery joined the Villanova College Board in January 2024, bringing strong experience in governance, financial management, and education. A GAICD and Certified Member of the Governance Institute of Australia, she holds degrees in Education and Home Science from the University of Otago.

Paulette is currently the Business Manager at Mount Alvernia College and has held senior roles across independent and Catholic schools. She has contributed to several boards and advisory groups, including serving as the Religious Institute/PJP Employer Representative on the QCEC Capital Assistance Reference Group. Her expertise spans strategic planning, governance, compliance, and project delivery.

A past parent of two Villanova sons, Paulette values the authenticity of Augustinian life and the College’s approach to boys’ education.