Stephen Gniel
MBA BEd
Steve is Regional Director, South Eastern Victoria Region (SEVR) in
Victoria. The region includes more than 400 state primary, secondary
and specialist schools, as well as over 1000 early childhood services
providing funded kindergarten programs. The region has a current
population of 76,751 children in kindergartens and more than 166,000
students in state schools.
Steve is currently leading the Education State reform across all
areas of education in the region to give every Victorian the best
learning and development experience. The region’s staff team of more
than three hundred dedicated officers work with early childhood service
providers, state schools, training and higher education providers as
well as with community organisations and other government agencies to
maximise the opportunities for children, young people and families.
Steve’s school based experience is diverse and extends across primary
and secondary schools. His last two school appointments were as
principal at Macgregor Primary School and then Kingsford Smith School
both in Canberra. Before joining the Department of Education and
Training in Victoria Steve was the Deputy Director-General in the ACT
Department of Education and Training following a number of other school
system leadership senior executive roles. Steve is married with three
young children who have recently joined him in the move from Canberra to
their new home in Melbourne.
Steve’s passion for the professional development of educational
leaders across all levels and sectors first brought him on to the ACEL
Board as an independent director. He was instrumental in shaping the organisation’s Strategic Plan and has been in the role of ACEL President since October 2016.
Steve’s qualifications include a Bachelor of Education, Masters of
Business Administration and further study through both Harvard
University, the Australia New Zealand School of Governance (ANZSOG)
Executive Fellowship Program and the Australian Institute of Company
Directors.