ELAA makes Board changes to drive organisation forward in 2025 

The Early Learning Association Australia (ELAA) has announced key Board appointments for 2025, with Aileen Ashford appointed as Chairperson.

Ms Ashford has made a significant contribution to the lives of Victoria’s children through her extensive 40 year career, including11 years spent as CEO at Kids First Australia, an Australian Early Years Management and Child and Family Services organisation, as well as holding the position of Tasmanian Children’s Commissioner. 

Her Deputy Chairperson will be Samantha Kolasa, who is currently serving as the Chief Executive Officer of Glen Education – an Early Years Management organisation in metropolitan Melbourne.  

Ms Kolasa has extensive experience in the community services and government sectors, delivering services to families and children across the entire life span. In addition to her role as Deputy Chair at  ELAA, she is also a Board Director at Better Health Network and Chair of the People and Culture Sub Committee. 

Joining Ms Ashford and Ms Kolasa as new members of the Board are Stuart Braganza-Travis and Hugh Bastiaan. 

Mr Braganza-Travis is an Executive Director at Early Childhood Management Services (ECMS),  one of the largest Early Years Managers in Victoria. He has a background in law, human  resources, strategy, and risk. He brings extensive experience in organisational transformation and development to the Board. 

Mr Bastiaan is the Group Chief Operating Officer at William Buck, a leading Australian and New  Zealand accounting and advisory firm. He brings to the Board a strong background and extensive experience in law and finance, as well as being the President of Davis Street Kindergarten in Kew, Victoria.  

Learn more about the work of the ELAA here.