Our structure

View the current organisational structure.

Our divisions and Executive Leadership Team

Each division is represented on the department's Executive Leadership Team (ELT), which provides strategic direction and oversight of outcomes, financial performance and good governance of the department.

Sharon Schimming—Director-General

Sharon has more than 30-years' experience in education, with 20-years' of principalship, Regional Director of North Queensland, Deputy Director-General of Early Childhood and Educational Improvement, and most recently Associate Director-General, Early Childhood and State Schools.

As Director-General, Sharon provides strategic leadership in the development and implementation of a range of statewide initiatives to improve outcomes for Queensland's children—from early childhood through to high school—and represents the department on a range of national and state boards and government working parties.

Kirsten Herring—Deputy Director-General, Arts Queensland

Kirsten is responsible for the department's investment in arts infrastructure, arts organisations, grant programs and development of arts policy. This includes the management of the state's $1 billion in arts and cultural assets, including the Queensland Cultural Centre, Festival House, Judith Wright Arts Centre and Bulmba-ja in Cairns. Her role also oversees $60 million investment in 80 arts and cultural organisations across the state, as well as the funding of creative development activities, arts projects, and touring activities across Queensland. Kirsten provides governance, budget and ministerial liaison support to the state's 5 arts statutory bodies and 4 arts government-owned companies.

Kirsten holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Business Administration, and has experience working across economic development, tourism and major events. She is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and in recognition of her contributions to arts policy and cultural tourism, Kirsten was awarded a Public Sector Medal in 2018.

Tania Porter—Deputy Director-General, Early Childhood, Regulation and Communication

As Deputy Director-General for Early Childhood, Regulation and Communication, Tania leads the development and implementation of key policy reforms to improve outcomes for Queensland children and families. Tania is dedicated to ensuring all children have access to high-quality programs that support learning, development and successful school transitions.

Tania's leadership extends to the Non-state Schools Accreditation Board (NSSAB), where she collaborates with non-state school governing bodies to maintain quality accreditation and funding eligibility. She also oversees the department's Queensland home education, supporting diverse educational philosophies and ensuring compliance with legislative requirements for high-quality home education programs.

In addition, Tania leads delivery of the department's communication and events, driving engagement with school staff, families and the wider community. Her work includes delivering award-winning state school events and innovative initiatives that create engaging opportunities for young learners to thrive.

Stacie Hansel—Deputy Director-General, State Schools Strategy

Stacie is an experienced and effective education leader who has served the Queensland state school system as a teacher, principal and system leader since 1996. Stacie provides visionary, values-based leadership and management to inspire equity, excellence and continuous improvement in education delivery across Queensland.

Stacie leads the Schools and Student Support division, which supports 1,266 Queensland state schools, delivering Equity and Excellence to position Queensland state education as a progressive, high-performing system that realises the potential of every student. The division is driven by innovation to embed future focused learning and opportunities for students and teachers to connect across Queensland.

Kathleen Forrester—Deputy Director-General, Strategic Policy and External Relations

Kathleen is an experienced senior executive with a track record of leading policy, funding reforms and intergovernmental negotiations in education, health and human services. Kathleen has executive experience in the Queensland, New South Wales and Victorian Governments as well as the private sector.

Kathleen leads the Strategic Policy and External Relations division, which adopts a strategic approach to policy, intergovernmental relations, performance, legislation, monitoring, reporting and governance functions for schooling at a whole-of-government and national level. The division ensures accountable and transparent administration of funding to non-state schools and community organisations.

In 2024–25, the division also regulated services for students in non-state schools, home education and international student programs.

Phillip Brooks—A/Deputy Director-General, Corporate and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Services

Phillip has more than 24-years' experience in the areas of justice, children and youth services in Queensland, in roles such as Deputy Director-General, Regional Director, Executive Director and Commissioner at the Queensland Family and Child Commission.

Phillip is a descendant of the Bidjara Tribe (Great Grandfather), the Kairi Tribe (Great Grandmother) and the Ducabrook Clan located at Springsure, Central Queensland.

Phillip provides leadership and oversight for the department's human resources strategy, finance, procurement and facilities, legal services and internal audit, as well as overseeing partnerships, programs and policies to improve educational outcomes for Aboriginal students and Torres Strait Islander students.

Nick Seeley—Deputy Director-General, Infrastructure Services

Nick's almost 40-years' public sector experience crosses areas including education, justice, First Nations, training, industrial relations and racing. With 15-years' as Executive Director in the Department of Education, Nick is committed to delivering services that achieve the department's vision to realise the potential of every student.

Nick leads the Infrastructure Services division, which plans and accounts for population growth—responding to the needs of local communities—and is responsible for driving sustainable investment to optimise, renew and maintain educational infrastructure while providing suitable, safe and contemporary learning environments that support a focus on quality teaching and learning.

Leanne Nixon—A/Deputy Director-General, School and Regional Operations and Performance

Leanne is a senior executive with more than 35-years' of dedicated service in the public sector, having held key executive leadership roles across the New South Wales, Northern Territory and Queensland education systems. Throughout her career, she has driven transformative changes across some of Australia's largest and most complex systems. Her strategic oversight has significantly impacted operations and risk management in diverse environments, particularly in remote and disadvantaged communities.

Leanne leads School and Regional Operations and Performance, which implements high-impact projects that enhance student outcomes and wellbeing services. The division is also focused on place-based and system initiatives informed by regional performance assessments. The division's work strengthens alignment between regional offices and central administration, ensuring that the needs of school communities are effectively addressed to lift learning outcomes for children.

Duncan Anson—Assistant Director-General, Finance, Procurement and Facilities, Chief Finance Officer

Duncan has over 25-years' experience in the Queensland public sector, is a fellow member of CPA Australia, a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and holds a Bachelor of Business (Accounting).

Duncan is responsible for managing the department's finance, procurement and facilities strategy, functions and systems. Through his delegated responsibilities under section 77 of the Financial Accountability Act 2009 (Qld), Duncan provides strategic advice to the Director-General on financial resource management, budget management, effectiveness of financial systems, financial risks and sustainability.

More information about our current executives and our organisational structure is available.

Governance committees

Our governance committees provide assurance through oversight and management of the department's strategic, enterprise and operational risks to ensure departmental priorities and objectives are achieved.

Further information about the key governance committees is available at appendix A. Specific information on the department's Audit and Risk Management Committee is available.