Our Team
We are an eclectic group of people all brought together to serve one purpose:
Creating access to quality learning in a restricted environment anywhere in the world.
Our People
Swetha Prakash
CEO
Swetha's experience spans several roles in EdTech startups across product development, training, business generation and management. She has a Masters in Maths (IIT) & Learning Sciences (Northwestern) and is passionate about creating engaging learning environments that leverage technology effectively.
Jesse Whelan
CFO
Jesse has worked as a strategic advisor to executive teams at various ASX200 and other large private organizations. He has also co-founded an EdTech tutoring startup. An engineer with an MBA from Harvard Business School, Jesse brings to 40K skills in strategic focus, financial accountability and lean operations.
Bharathy Venkat
Head - Programs
Shruti Saravanan
HR & Business Manager
Divya Kanan
SME Consultant
Anupam Bose
Software Developer
Vanaraj VS
Accounts & Admin Executive
Sheshadri M.S.
Junior Program Manager
San Soun
Program Officer - Cambodia
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Leang Vandaro
Education Program Officer
Chiranjeevi Akesh
Content Admin
Kob Romly
IT Support Officer and Admin
The Board
Clary Castrission OAM
Co-Founder, Chair
As the founder of the organisation, Clary led 40K from its start as a school-building charity to edtech social enterprise. With a law degree and MBA, as well as his extensive experience in the field as the organisation's founder, Clary brings his strategic insight, innovation expertise and leadership to the board.
Gordon Stalley
Managing Director, Premier Fire
Having founded and run a business from scratch to employing over 200 staff, and operational right across Australia, Gordon brings the skill of organisational planning, scaling and complex problem-solving skills to the board.
Bernard Ferguson
R&D Team Coach, Atlassian
Bernie has been a product lead and team coach in technology functions at Atlassian and News Corp. Bernie brings to the board skills in tech product management, and team effectiveness to drive success in a tech environment.
Trish Clancy
Managing Director and Partner, The Boston Consulting Group
Trish specialises in large-scale transformation and has worked with public, private and NFP clients to deliver real results. She brings ot the board skills in strategy as well as change & people management. Trish is a core member of BCG's Public Sector and People and Organisation Practices.
Andrew Hipsley,
Chief Brand Officer-APMEA
McDonald's
Andrew has held senior marketing positions in Australia, the US and Japan over a career spanning 30 years at McDonalds. Andrew brings a clear organisational positioning, business planning and strategy skill to the board.
Les Szekely
Managing Director, Grand Prix Capital
Les was a tax specialist partner at Deloitte and Howarths, before leaving in 2009 and is an active presence in the Australian startup scene as an Angel Investor and active director. Les brings to the board a variety of skills in how to navigate the startup environment.
40K Plus is committed to child safety and creating a safe learning environment for children.
The Board
Clary Castrission OAM
Co-Founder, Chair
As the founder of the organisation, Clary led 40K from its start as a school-building charity to edtech social enterprise. With a law degree and MBA, as well as his extensive experience in the field as the organisation's founder, Clary brings his strategic insight, innovation expertise and leadership to the board.
Bernard Ferguson
R&D Team Coach, Atlassian
Bernie has been a product lead and team coach in technology functions at Atlassian and News Corp. Bernie brings to the board skills in tech product management, and team effectiveness to drive success in a tech environment.
Gordon Stalley
Managing Director, Premier Fire
Having founded and run a business from scratch to employing over 200 staff, and operational right across Australia, Gordon brings the skill of organisational planning, scaling and complex problem-solving skills to the board.
Andrew Hipsley,
Chief Brand Officer-APMEA
McDonald's
Andrew has held senior marketing positions in Australia, the US and Japan over a career spanning 30 years at McDonalds. Andrew brings a clear organisational positioning, business planning and strategy skill to the board.
Trish Clancy
Managing Director and Partner, The Boston Consulting Group
Trish specialises in large-scale transformation and has worked with public, private and NFP clients to deliver real results. She brings ot the board skills in strategy as well as change & people management. Trish is a core member of BCG's Public Sector and People and Organisation Practices.
Paul Kidson
Lecturer, School of Education,
University of Wollongong
Paul is an educational leader, researcher and consultant. He has extensive experience in curriculum and school leadership, as well as professional development and mentoring. He brings to the board skills in Education leadership, EdTech and working in international settings, particularly in developing countries.
Les Szekely
Managing Director, Grand Prix Capital
Les was a tax specialist partner at Deloitte and Howarths, before leaving in 2009 and is an active presence in the Australian startup scene as an Angel Investor and active director. Les brings to the board a variety of skills in how to navigate the startup environment.
40K Plus is committed to child safety and creating a safe learning environment for children.