Meet The Team
Christine Stretesky
Christine is an experienced Governance Professional currently serving as Head of Corporate Governance and Policy at Education Partnership North East. Christine leads the development and delivery of robust corporate governance frameworks that underpin institutional integrity, strategic alignment and regulatory compliance. With a legal background stemming from almost 20 years as a lawyer in the US, Christine provides expert advice and guidance on governance, risk and compliance matters to enable informed-decision making and to foster a culture of transparency, accountability and agility. Christine is known for her collaborative approach, analytical insight and commitment to continuous improvement. In addition to corporate governance, she brings expertise in policy development, risk management and HE regulation.
Heather Cross
Heather has many years of experience in FE as a governance expert, and fifteen years as a Vice Principal. She’s worked as a governance professional in all types of FE colleges, advising and supporting on governance matters, spanning mergers, governance reviews, support during intervention, mentoring Chairs and Governance Professionals, and advising on governance changes. Her time as Vice Principal included advising on HR, Estates, EDI and student services issues. Heather is also a creative trainer and solutions focussed adviser, serving as a National Leader of Governance for over 5 years and is a recent past Chair of a national FE governance professionals group.
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As a highly experienced and fully qualified chartered governance professional, Heather has advised on a wide range of governance issues, helping in restructuring governance, always taking a positive and can-do approach, backed by a deep understanding of regulations.
Melissa Drayson
Melissa is a highly experienced governance professional with a deep understanding of effective governance. Her specialist further education expertise has been gained over 25 years, working with FE Boards in nine different Colleges. She is currently Director of Governance at Brooklands Technical College in Surrey.
Melissa holds the ICSA (now CGI) Professional Diploma in Corporate Governance, and her expertise spans Academy, Charity and Corporate Governance, including several years as the Chair of a charity Trustee Board. She has strategically supported three college mergers and conducted numerous governance reviews in other colleges.
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As a governance consultant and trainer, Melissa has advised educational institutions from primary schools to universities. She currently contributes her knowledge to the Education and Training Foundation Governance Development Programme, co-delivering induction training and mentoring to the next generation of Governance Professionals. For 11 years previously, Melissa ran the induction training service for new Governors in Sussex Colleges. She has also run courses in minute writing and other committee skills for public sector workers.
Ra Hamilton-Burns
Ra is a pro-active, self-motivating and experienced governance professional who provides a full service to plan and support the Board’s business to achieve maximum impact. She is recognised as a proficient authority in FE audit and risk assurance, adept at creating, producing, and presenting programmes for the AOC ETF governance initiative. Ra has directed and managed the compliance and strategic development of governance in eleven FE colleges, and is skilled in policy development and management within both college and stakeholder contexts. A proven team player on leadership teams, Ra designs and delivers impact for learners and for their communities
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Wendy Stanger
Wendy is an award-winning Chartered Governance Professional with a diverse career spanning the public sector. From leading housing services as a Senior Local Authority Housing Manager, to auditing within the NHS, and working as a VAT inspector for HMRC.
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Since 2014, Wendy has worked in the world of governance having previously been involved as a school governor and chair. She’s currently the Director of Governance at East Coast College, and additionally a governance consultant, National Leader of Governance with the FE Commissioner, Chairs the National Governance Professionals Group and moderates the FE National Governance Professionals online network.
Wendy has played a key role in supporting college mergers, leading board reviews and self assessments, mentoring fellow professionals, and helping develop governance professionals, all with the aim of helping to drive meaningful improvements in governance.