Corporate Structure

Zoe Ding

Zoe is a seasoned risk and governance professional who has supported organisations to build strong governance frameworks and adopt effective risk management practices that enhance strategic organisational growth and vision.

With more than 20 years of international experience in the health and insurance sectors, she brings extensive experience across public, private and not-for-profit organisations, including more than 10 years advising Victorian government agencies on risk and insurance matters.

She holds an MBA and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD). Currently, she serves on the board of Swan Hill District Health and Waverley Social Enterprise, a not-for-profit that has won multiple community and local business awards, and chairs its Audit and Risk Committee. She brings meaningful experience with organisations that support people with disabilities, further strengthening her understanding of inclusive service delivery and community impact.

Zoe is committed to supporting The Gordon's role in delivering high-quality vocational education and creating pathways that enhance opportunity, workforce participation and community prosperity.

Deanne Firth

Deanne is a Chartered Accountant with over 25 years’ experience in audit, governance, and strategic leadership. She is the Founder and Director of auditing firm Tactical Super, Chair of the Finance and Audit Committee at Cultura Geelong, and sits on both the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Panel and Public Practice Panel for Chartered Accountants ANZ. Deanne is a regular speaker and contributor in the audit and superannuation space and an active volunteer and mentor committed to education and equity.

She is passionate about the role of TAFE in shaping a future-ready workforce and sees The Gordon as a key driver of opportunity and positive change in our region.

Natalie MacDonald

Natalie MacDonald is an experienced Non-Executive Director and Senior Executive. She retired from her role as Chief Executive Officer of the Country Fire Authority (an organisation with over 50,000 volunteers in over 1200 locations across the State) in August 2024.  In this role, she was also the Principal Executive Officer of the CFA Registered Training Organisation, providing extensive accredited training across the state. Prior to this role, she was Vice-President (Strategy & Development) at La Trobe University, where she focused on forward strategy of the University and the transformation of its campuses to create economic growth, community value and high-quality research, teaching and student life environments.

Natalie has extensive experience in public administration, governance and the delivery of services including government services, information services, building and design, housing, accommodation, maintenance, facilities management and procurement services and the delivery of social services across wide geographical areas.

She currently serves as Deputy Chair of Development Victoria, and as an independent member on the Infrastructure Victoria Audit Committee, the RMIT Infrastructure Committee, the Greater Dandenong Council Audit and Risk Committee, and as a Director of Triple Zero VIC. She has previously held board roles on a range of Commonwealth and state bodies, including the Regional Development Australia Committee for Melbourne.

Joe Ormeno

Joe Ormeno has been the CEO of The Gordon Institute of TAFE since October 2019. He has over 15 years of experience in the vocational education sector, having held several senior leadership positions within The Gordon, including Chief Finance Officer and Chief Operating Officer.

Joe's career spans both the private and not-for-profit sectors, where he has held various executive roles in corporate services. His own educational journey began at The Gordon with a Certificate III in Business Studies, followed by a bachelor's degree from Deakin University.

Under Joe's leadership, The Gordon is committed to embracing agility and responsiveness in education. He focuses on anticipating and adapting to the changing needs of students and industry partners, ensuring The Gordon's educational offerings remain relevant and impactful.

Joe is passionate about the transformative power of vocational education and its role in career advancement. He holds several leadership roles across the Community and the TAFE Network, contributing to the broader development of vocational education in Australia.

Matthew Wright

Matthew is the Executive Director of Sector Advice at the NDIA and has worked with the Agency since 2016. Matthew is the Chair of the Disability Advisory Committee for the Centre of Excellence for Inclusion in Disability, Health and Community Support. He has over 20 years’ experience in the disability sector. He was previously the Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Federation of Disability Organisations and Murray Human Services, and a senior manager with Oakleigh Centre and Able Australia.  Matthew was an Adviser Diversity at National Australia Bank developing the NAB's Disability Action Plan.

Matthew has represented Australians with disability at the U.N Conference of State Parties, has been a member of the AHRC Reference Panel on the National Enquiry into Employment Discrimination, IAC’s Housing Innovations Working Group, the Australian Law Reform Commissions Disability Advisory Committee, the National Disability Workforce Strategy Committee, the Victorian Governments NDIS Implementation Task Force, and was one of the three members of the National Disability and Carers Alliance.

Matthew holds a Bachelor of Arts and Post-Graduate Diploma in HRM and IR from the University of Melbourne.  He is a fellow of the Williamson Community Leadership Program with Leadership Victoria and the McKinsey ELP. He has a severe hearing loss from birth and identifies as part of the Deaf community.