Executive Team
Paul Ramadge
Chief Executive Officer
Paul has developed high-level leadership skills in Australia and overseas – in designing and delivering innovative and evidence-based initiatives for the higher education sector, in pioneering new forms of cross-cultural engagement, and in leading talented media teams to achieve impact in the public interest. He has demonstrated an ability to deliver outcomes in complex, multi-stakeholder environments. Paul joined the General Sir John Monash Foundation as CEO in August 2023.
In Australia, Paul is well known as a former Editor-in-Chief of The Age at a time (2008 – 2012) when the newspaper and its digital platforms were setting the national agenda and winning awards for journalistic excellence. In 2012, Paul accepted an offer to become a Vice-Chancellor’s Professorial Fellow at Monash University, working to enhance the university’s standing as one of Australia’s most internationally engaged and dynamic higher-education institutions. After reviewing Monash’s strategy in Indonesia, Paul led a team to develop a concept for a new Australia-Indonesia Centre to deliver initiatives in collaborative research, education, cultural exchanges and analyses of attitudes and perceptions. This experience was valuable as Paul moved to become Managing Director of The PLuS Alliance, a collaboration between UNSW Sydney, King’s College London and Arizona State University. In March 2020, the alliance launched a joint-venture university in London (TEDI-London) aimed at responding to industry needs for creative, multi-skilled and entrepreneurial engineers.
Prior to joining the Foundation, Paul provided consulting services to universities in Australia and the UK, often working alongside Vice-Chancellors and senior executives. The advice included developing strategies for growth, student recruitment, digital innovation and partnerships. Paul has been a board member at Mental Health Victoria and is a former chair of the Dolphin Research Institute.
Chuan Tan
Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary
As Chief Financial Officer, Chuan is responsible for the Foundation’s financial functions including accounting, audit, investments and governance. He also leads all human resources and operating activities. His career spans over 30 years of varied experience in financial management, treasury, business leadership and information technology delivery in various global locations including Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, London, Sydney and Melbourne.
Before joining the Foundation in early 2018, Chuan served as Treasurer and Finance Operations Manager at an Australian University and as Company Secretary for its subsidiaries. He has held senior positions in investment banks, transportation, mining, agricultural and tertiary education organisations.
He has a Master of Finance and Bachelor of Business in Accountancy from RMIT University and holds FCPA and CFTP (Snr) memberships.
Dr Karen McConalogue
Executive Director, John Monash Foundation Leadership Academy
Dr Karen McConalogue is an academic and executive with more than 20 years of experience in the tertiary education and research sector, including in postgraduate programs and fellowships.
With a deep understanding of the value of scholarship programs and the development of young leaders, Karen has worked to develop, implement and support educational offerings such as doctoral programs and joint international PhDs. She has worked with a broad range of stakeholders and funders, including government departments, NGOs, charitable organisations and private donors.
Initially trained as a biomedical researcher, and with a PhD in neuroscience, Karen was a two-time National Health and Medical Research Council Research Fellow. In the inaugural year of the Victorian Premier’s Award for Medical Research, Karen received a commendation and has also won awards for professional research and graduate research management.
Lauren Connelly
Scholarships Manager
Lauren brings over a decade of experience in the Australian tertiary sector, predominantly at Swinburne University of Technology, where she managed and oversaw the applicant selection process for National and International Admissions. Her career includes roles at Deakin University and Monash University within admissions and study abroad offices, emphasising her comprehensive understanding of higher education operations.
At Hobson’s APAC, Lauren specialized in student retention and engagement, offering tailored support and guidance to students navigating academic challenges. Her commitment to enhancing study abroad opportunities is underscored by her own academic experiences at the University of North Carolina, Greensboro campus, and ESSCA School of Management, Paris campus. These experiences uniquely inform her advisory role in assisting students in pursuing international study opportunities.
Lauren holds a Master of Business Administration and Bachelor of Media and Communication from Swinburne University.
Vanessa Lee
Executive Officer
As the Executive Officer at the General Sir John Monash Foundation, Vanessa is responsible for providing strategic direction, operational oversight, and governance expertise to support the CEO & CFO and drive organizational success.
Vanessa's career is marked by her expertise in operational excellence, leading change and people management. She has successfully led teams through major transitions, implemented strategic priorities, and managed complex operational processes.
Vanessa holds a Bachelor of Business from RMIT University (Hons) and is currently pursuing a Master of Business Administration at the University of Melbourne. She is also a certified coach from the Australian Institute of Executive Coaching.
Blaise Marshall
Media and Communications Officer
With over a decade of experience in communications and media strategy, Blaise has worked with leading organisations in the government, non-profit and corporate sectors across Melbourne, New York and London. She has executed high-profile PR and marketing campaigns for clients such as PBS, CalArts, Mastercard, Kickstarter and the V&A, shaping public image, managing media relations and driving audience engagement.
Before joining the Foundation, Blaise led Audience Engagement for New York’s flagship PBS station, developing strategies that elevated the station’s profile and expanded its reach. She has also provided counsel in crisis communications, reputation management and audience engagement for cultural institutions in agency roles in London and New York.
As Media and Communications Manager at the Foundation, Blaise works closely with the CEO to oversee and implement brand and communications initiatives to support the Foundation’s mission.
Blaise holds a Bachelor of Communications (Hons) and a Graduate Certificate in Arts Management from RMIT University.
Felicity Lewis
Office Administration
As the Administration Officer Felicity is responsible for providing general administrative support to the management team and to assist the CEO to manage and deliver strategic priorities. She comes with extensive experience in administration in the private and not-for-profit sectors and also enjoys volunteering.
Felicity holds an Associate Diploma in Business from RMIT University and a Certificate in Education Support.