A vast and extensive amount of experience across the vocational sphere.
VETASSESS’ accomplished leadership team have come from every corner of the industry. Their incredible experience informs our unique approach to skills assessment, inspiring the entire team to deliver outstanding service to our partners, clients and stakeholders.
Rob Thomason
Executive Director
Rob Thomason began his career in Australia’s Technical and Further Education (TAFE) system and has more than 35 years’ experience working in education, consulting and executive development, in Australia and internationally. An advocate for skilled migration, he’s also has business experience in China, India, South Asia, South East Asia, the Pacific, UK, Gulf Cooperation Council and the USA.
He has held a number of directorships, including the US-based International University Consortium for Executive Education and is currently President of the Australia India Business Council Victorian Chapter.
Connect with Rob on Linkedin.
Tracey Costello
Chief Operating Officer
Tracey Costello is responsible for leading strategy, customer service, governance, finance, marketing and communications. She’s an accomplished strategic leader with a breadth and depth of finance and governance experience across corporate, government and non-government organisations, including 10 years with a Big 4 accounting consultancy and more than six years as a senior executive in local and state government.
Tracey holds a Bachelor of Business from RMIT University, a master’s degree in Fraud and Financial Crime from Charles Sturt University, is a Chartered Accountant (CA), and a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD).
Connect with Tracey on Linkedin
Dr Rocco Guarnaccia
Head of Vocational Education and Training
Rocco Guarnaccia is responsible for overseeing the Skills Recognition Trades (SRT), eWorks and VET program areas. Throughout his career, Rocco has worked in the vocational education and training (VET) sector for over 30 years as a teacher/trainer, manager, senior executive and co-founder of a registered training organisation (RTO). He’s been responsible for program development (accredited and non-accredited programs), training and assessment (AQF courses), quality assurance and compliance (ASQA - domestic, ESOS/CRICOS - international) as well as research into the Australian VET industry. During this time, he has worked in the government (TAFE), university, private/corporate and non-for-profit sectors.
Rocco has a Doctor of Education from The University of Melbourne that focused on the organisational sustainability of commercial for-profit training providers within the VET sector. His research centered on the impact of the pedagogical, governance and business aspects of organisations and why some training providers succeeded while others failed. Rocco also holds a Master of Education, Postgraduate Diploma of Vocational Education and Training and Bachelor of Education and Training from The University of Melbourne.
Connect with Rocco on Linkedin
Dr Mamta Chauhan
Group Manager, Skills Recognition General Occupations
Dr Mamta Chauhan has experience in education, research, skill recognition and stakeholder engagement. Mamta provides oversight, leadership and management of migration skills assessments for 360 general professional occupations and assessment services to support membership organisations.
She sits at various roundtable discussions and committees to discuss topics related to Australia’s skilled migration program, qualification frameworks and skills recognition.
Connect with Dr Mamta on Linkedin
Graham Hobbs
Manager, Human Resources
Graham Hobbs began his career as a teacher, before transitioning to scientific research, and finally settling into a career in Human Resources where he has worked for the past 20 years.
His passion for developing workplace culture and staff has led Graham to work in a variety of settings, including Medical Research, Government and Community Services. The common link being a workplace with a strong purpose and vision and a willingness to develop staff.
Ricky Luk
Head of ICT
Ricky has more than 15 years experience working in senior IT Management roles. He has significant experience managing teams of specialists to provide delivery and support of key IT initiatives and strategies.
Having held various roles within the IT industry across the energy and government sector, Ricky also has experience in delivering large scale digital transformation projects to reimagine how business is conducted in a digital age.
Connect with Ricky on Linkedin
Brett Galt-Smith
Manager – Stakeholder and Government Relations
Brett Galt-Smith joined VETASSESS in 2023 after a three-year diplomatic posting to the Australian High Commission in New Delhi, where he was the Australian Government’s Counsellor (Education and Research) for South Asia. Brett was previously Director of Policy and Legislation in the International Group at the federal Department of Education, Canberra.
He has a diverse career encompassing international education policy and regulation, the Longitudinal Study of Indigenous Children, international and Commonwealth/state relations. He’s also a former Research Director of the Strehlow Research Centre (Indigenous culture and traditions) in Alice Springs.
Connect with Brett on Linkedin
Katie Proy
Head of Business Development
Katie Proy began her career leading marketing teams and has more than 15 years experience working in the education, construction and engineering sectors in Australia.
Katie is the Head of Business Development at VETASSESS and eWorks and is responsible for providing leadership and strategic direction for customer acquisition strategies, commercial development, international marketing, and partnership and stakeholder relations.
Connect with Katie on Linkedin
