Board of Directors
Our community is blessed by the generous service of our Board of Directors, who provide their time and expertise to support the good governance and leadership of the College.
As a company (limited by guarantee) our Board of Directors carry a significant responsibility in the following areas:
- assuring the Catholic culture of the College
- nourishing the connection between the College and the traditions of the Sisters of the Good Samaritan
- governing the financial affairs of the College
- providing vision and direction for the plant and facilities of the College
- selecting and appointing the College Principal / CEO
- reporting to the Australian Securities and Investments Commission as per regulations
We offer our thanks to the following community leaders:
Renata Garnero - Chair of the Board

Renata is an ex-student of St Mary’s, and joined as a Director and a member of the Finance & Audit Committee in early 2021. She was appointed as the Chair of the Finance & Audit Committee in 2022.
Renata is an experienced CFO working in the hospitality industry. Prior to this she worked for 12 years in public practice accounting. Renata holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Accy) degree from UOW, and a MBA from Deakin University. She is also a Chartered Accountant, a Registered Tax Agent and a Justice of the Peace in NSW.
Renata has a passion for working with, and giving back to her local community, and holds other volunteer Director and Committee positions with The Flagstaff Group, Youth Off The Streets and Wollongong PCYC.
Kristen Green - Deputy Chair of the Board

Kristen is the Executive General Manager and co-founder of the multi award winning Aquafit, located in Campbelltown, South West Sydney.
In 2004, Kristen was selected to deliver the start-up business of Aquafit for the Campbelltown Catholic Club. Aquafit is often cited as an example of fitness & wellness industry best practice in Australia and is recognised as one of the most awarded fitness businesses in the country.
An active contributor and thought leader in the fitness Industry, Kristen was recognised as the first Australian recipient of the prestigious “IHRSA Woman Leader Award in 2018”. In 2109, Kristen was recognised as the “Outstanding Western Sydney Executive Woman of the Year” In March 2020, Kristen was awarded the inaugural “Club Manager of the Year” at the Australian Fitness Awards.
Kristen brings to the role, broad business, board, leadership and management experience. Kristen’s qualifications include an MBA (Distinction) from UOW and a Bachelor of Sports Science (Exercise Science).
Daniel Pretzler - Company Secretary

Daniel Pretzler is currently Chair of the Risk Management Committee.
Renee Campbell

Renee is the Director Corporate Services at Wollongong City Council, responsible for the oversight of Governance + Customer Service, Legal, Information Management + Technology, Financial Services, Organisational Development and Safety and Workplace Services.
Leading a staff of over 250 people, Renee has a strong focus on the health, safety and welfare of her team and on improving business outcomes. Renee has a Masters in Urban Policy and Strategy from the University of NSW and also has a Masters in Strategic Management and a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Wollongong.
Renee is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and is also an Evaluator with the Australian Business Excellence Foundation.
Evelina Giusti

Evelina is a lawyer with over 25 years’ experience in the legal sector. She is also a Mediator. Evelina holds degrees in Commerce and Law. Her other qualifications include Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice (College of Law), Accredited Specialist in Personal Injury Law (The Law Society of New South Wales) and NMAS Accredited Mediator (Mediation Institute).
Evelina has been a Board member since 2021.
Evelina is a St Mary’s alumni. Whilst she no longer presently resides in Wollongong, Evelina and her family remain connected to Wollongong. Evelina’s husband, Stuart, a barrister, does a significant amount of work representing the people of Wollongong. They have three children together.
In her time as a lawyer, Evelina has had a number of leadership, business and management roles, the most senior of these as a partner of a boutique law firm. She has a strong interest in education and is enthusiastic about giving back to what was once her school community.
Beth Riolo

Born and bred in Wollongong, Beth is an ex-student of St Mary's College and considers her membership of the Board of Directors as a great privilege.
Beth has worked in Catholic Education for over 30 years and during that time she has been a Primary Teacher, Religious Education Coordinator, Education Officer and is currently Professional Officer (Environment, Advocacy, Outreach) in Catholic Life Education Mission (CLEM) at the Catholic Education Office, Diocese of Wollongong.
Beth’s qualifications include a Diploma of Teaching (Primary), Bachelor of Education and Master of Arts (Theological Studies).
Beth has been a Board member since 2018 and is passionate about enlivening religious education and Catholic School communities so that they are relevant to both students and teachers working to help schools read the ‘signs of the times’ so that they can be communities of justice, inclusivity, sustainability and hospitality.
Dr Paul Kidson

Dr Paul Kidson spent 25 years as an educator in independent schools, including 11 years as a school principal.
He is currently Senior Lecturer in Educational Leadership in the National School of Education at the Australian Catholic University. He is the Acting Director for Educational Leadership within ACU's La Salle Academy for Religious Education and Faith Formation, and a Principal Investigator on the Australian Principal Occupational Health and Wellbeing Survey, Australia’s longest running survey of school leaders established in 2011. He has contributed to leadership development programs in government, Catholic, and independent schools in NSW, and is currently President of the NSW Branch of the Australian Council for Educational Leaders. He is a Graduate of the Australian Institute for Company Directors, a Fellow of the Institute for Managers and Leaders, and a frequent media commentator on educational topics.
Board Values
The work of our Board of Directors is framed by these eight values.
Teamwork

We achieve the best solutions for the College. We work collaboratively with a Shared Mission. We acknowledge that effective teamwork comes from shared values and respect for each other’s experiences, abilities, insights and wisdom. We respect and trust each other because of these qualities.
Integrity

We carry out our work employing processes which include accountability and the highest standards. Decisions are made using reliable information and rigorous debate. All our efforts are focused on achieving the best outcomes for the College and its students.
Respect

We value each person and the contribution he/she makes to the College and society. We treat each person with courtesy, maintaining their individual dignity. We respect others through inclusivity and equity.
Compassion

We are aware of the situations of others and apply the compassion of Christ in our dealings with others. We act with empathy and generosity, while encouraging compassion through supporting social justice.
Excellence

We undertake to deliver what we promise, to add value that goes beyond what is required and to strive to achieve “higher things” through learning, innovation and agility. We undertake to continuously improve our skills and our knowledge, so that our considerations benefit those we serve and with whom we work.
Optimism

We expect the best for the future and work to achieve it. We are aware that we may be asked to solve difficult problems. We are open to the many available possibilities and search for those which will be life-giving to the College.
Stewardship

We ensure that the resources of the College are effectively and efficiently used only for the purposes for which they are provided and the achievement of the College mission. We ensure that the College acts in compliance with applicable laws and conditions of subsidy and that our decisions reflect a “Good Samaritan” approach to the use of available resources.
Transparency

We are open, honest and accountable in our relations. Transparency for us means openly communicating in relation to our decisions and practices.