Rod McDonald

Before establishing Ithaca Group in 2001, Rod was a Special Advisor to the Australian National Training Authority, with a specific responsibility for initiating ‘blue sky’ thinking about vocational education and training.

In taking up that role, he left behind a distinguished academic career in adult education which included twenty-five years’ experience in leadership positions in universities.

Over that period, he was Australia’s first Professor of Adult Education, and occupied positions of Foundation Dean of the Faculty of Education at the University of Technology, Sydney; Deputy Principal of Sydney College of Advanced Education; and Director of a national Key Research Centre in vocational education. He has also had the title of Emeritus Professor bestowed on him by the University of Technology, Sydney.

It is this significant leadership and policy experience, combined with an extensive understanding of the vocational education and training sector that Rod brings to Ithaca Group.

Rod is renowned for his capacity to clearly analyse complex issues and to think strategically. In the words of one client, he has a unique capacity to ‘make complex things simple.’ He is also a highly skilled facilitator and is regularly asked to facilitate high level meetings. He is skilled at consulting with people at all levels and regularly draws on the strong connections he has with people at the highest levels in business and government.