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 of Programs

Maxime Rosburger

Country Head - Cambodia

Shruti Saravanan

Manager-HR & Engineering

Vanaraj VS

Assistant manager - Finance & Admin

Anupam Bose

Software Developer

Sheshadri M.S.

Junior Program Manager

San Soun

Program Officer - Cambodia

Leang Vandaro

Education Program Officer - Cambodia

Chiranjeevi Akesh

Content Admin

Kob Romly

IT Support Officer and Admin - Cambodia

Divya Kanan

SME Consultant

G Kamal 

Software Tester

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.