VERTO is a community owned not for profit organisation
Ron Maxwell
B.Bus (Econ), Grad Cert. Innov Edu & T, GAICD
Chief Executive Officer
Ron Maxwell started with VERTO in 2014 as the Chief Executive Officer. Ron holds a Bachelor of Business (Economics) and has 20 years’ experience in the commercial sector. Ron has served on various boards and is currently Deputy Chair at the Independent Tertiary Education Council Australia (ITECA). He also serves as Director for the National Employment Services Association (NESA) and is a member of the New South Wales Skills Board Reference Group as well as the New South Wales Smart and Skilled Reference Group.
Previously, Ron served as Chief Executive Officer of Western College, a regional training provider based in Dubbo, New South Wales. During his time as Chief Executive Officer, Ron reshaped the college to become a recognised and award winning organisation. Amongst some of his accomplishments, Ron was responsible for establishing the Australian Technical College in Central West New South Wales. He formerly served as a member of the ACPET National VET Committee and is a former Chamber of Commerce Senior Vice President and Austen Brown Boog Solicitors advisory board member.
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Alyssa Bennett
B. Bus (HRM/Marketing), Grad Cert. Bus Admin
Chief Operating Officer
Alyssa has over 20 years’ experience in the employment services sector and well over a decade of experience as a Senior Manager. Alyssa values an ethical and transparent approach; whilst remaining commercially focussed and driven to achieve the best possible outcomes for individuals in the communities in which we operate. Alyssa’s previous experience has included roles specialising in Apprenticeships, Traineeships, Labour Hire, Disability Employment Services (DES) and Employment Services. Her previous roles have also afforded her the opportunity to travel abroad to provide staff training and consultation services in the UK and Timor Leste, along with involvement in software development and implementation and change management.
Alyssa joined VERTO in 2018 to oversee the Employment Services portfolio for the organisation, which included DES, ParentsNext, Career Transition Assistance (CTA) and the New Careers for Aboriginal People (NCAP) Program. In early 2020, Alyssa was promoted to the role of Chief Operating Officer which assumes responsibility for Training Services, Community Services and Employment Services.
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Diana Mudford
B. Bus (Acc), CPA, JP
Chief Financial Officer
Diana joined VERTO in 2003 and has worked in a variety of roles including Business Services Coordinator before moving into a Finance Management role within the organisation. Diana is a qualified accountant and CPA who holds a Bachelor of Business (in Accounting and Business Management). She has 20 years’ experience working in a variety of finance related roles in small to medium sized businesses including three years working as a Field Advisor for the Australian Taxation Office supporting small business.
Diana also holds a Diploma of Training and Assessment and has 13 years’ experience working in the training industry, including teaching Accounting at TAFE. Diana is responsible for all finance, payroll and fleet.
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Ryan Priest
M. ITM, MBA, ACS CP
Chief Information Officer
Ryan is an innovation-driven technology professional with a wealth of experience in spearheading large-scale IT projects and implementing cutting-edge solutions across various industry sectors. Adept at process improvement and leveraging emerging technologies to optimize performance across business units, ultimately driving operational success. Passionate about AI technology, cybersecurity, edge computing, and cloud services.
Ryan brings experience in implementation, board-level reporting, consulting, management, and forging strategic partnerships.
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Pamela Hunter
M. Com, B.Bus & B.Arts (Public Relations & Org Comms), GAICD
Quality & Risk Manager
Pamela is a highly experienced Quality and Risk management professional who has been an integral part of VERTO since 2011. With a background spanning the FMCG sector, transport industry, and higher education sector, Pamela brings a wealth of expertise in project management, quality assurance, risk management, and community services. Since joining VERTO, she has played a pivotal role in leading the organisation through successful audits, the implementation of new quality & risk frameworks, and the management of complex government contracts. In 2024, Pamela was appointed to VERTO’s Executive Leadership Team, where she oversees the quality and risk team and a diverse portfolio of community services.
Pamela is dedicated to supporting her colleagues and delivering positive outcomes for clients. She demonstrates strong governance skills through her board role with Veritas House and as a committee member of the NSW Chapter for the Risk Management Institute of Australasia. As a proud Bathurst local, she is deeply committed to giving back to her community and continues to seek opportunities to make a meaningful impact through her work at VERTO and beyond.
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Sharna Banks
B.Bus (HR Mgt and Mkt)
Human Resources Manager
With over 26 years of dedicated service to VERTO, Sharna brings a wealth of experience, strategic insight, and a deep commitment to people and culture. As Human Resources Manager, Sharna leads HR operations across VERTOs footprint, supporting recruitment, workforce planning, employee relations, and compliance with enterprise agreements and legislative requirements. Sharna is known for her collaborative leadership style and her ability to navigate complex staffing challenges with clarity and fairness. She works closely with managers and executive leadership to ensure HR practices align with organisational goals and values.
Sharna holds a Bachelor of Business, majoring in Human Resource Management and Marketing, which underpins her strategic approach to people management and organisational development.
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