Leadership Team

Janet Barnes is the Chief Executive Officer of JMC Academy, bringing extensive leadership experience and a passion for championing creative arts and education.

With an executive career spanning diverse industries, Janet has successfully led large-scale operations, driven customer-centric initiatives, and delivered strategic growth and transformation within highly regulated sectors.

She holds an Executive MBA from the University of Western Australia (UWA), is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management Western Australia (AIM WA), and a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD). Janet has also contributed her expertise to the boards of AIM WA, West Australian Opera, and the Perth Public Art Foundation, reflecting her commitment to fostering arts, culture, and leadership.

As CEO, Janet is dedicated to expanding JMC Academy’s reach and reputation for excellence while empowering the next generation of creative professionals to achieve their full potential.

A transformative leader with extensive experience in operational excellence, people & culture, and technology, Diana has held senior leadership roles at GURNER Group, Opteon Property Group, and Telstra. She also brings strong governance and board experience, having advised organisations like the University of Melbourne, Good Talent Media, and RESULTS International.

Beyond her strategic mindset, Diana deeply believes in the power of creative industries and education, a passion that resonates with our mission to nurture the next generation of creative leaders.

Chaminda Ranasinghe is a highly respected leader in higher education and a passionate advocate for student success. With significant experience shaping exceptional student experiences, most recently as Chief Experience Officer at RMIT University, he brings a wealth of expertise in delivering impactful, student-centred outcomes. Chaminda’s 30-year career spans global roles across marketing, digital, product and technology in leading organisations such as ANZ, EnergyAustralia, Ford Motor Company, Aviva, and Zurich. 

He has also served on a number of Boards including as Non-Executive Director at RMIT Online and member of the Adobe Customer Advisory Board and the IDP Strategic Advisory Board, and is a strong advocate for accessibility and inclusion. Chaminda holds qualifications from Monash University, Federation University, and MIT Sloan, and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

As CCO, Chaminda oversees Marketing, Student Recruitment & Admissions (both Domestic and International), Student Experience & Retention, Product Lifecycle Management, Alumni, Industry and Strategic Partnerships and supports our Digital Transformation, Data, Analytics & Insights capability.

Chaminda's appointment marks an exciting new chapter for JMC, as we evolve our approach to creative education—one that’s truly future-ready, meets learners where they are, and prepares them for where they want to go. 

Kylie was formerly a full-time lecturer at JMC Academy, as well as working as an engineer at Love Hz studios in Leichhardt. Kylie is both an Audio engineer and a musician, performing gigs regularly with her band The April Family.

Kate was formerly the Head of Student Services at JMC Academy in Melbourne. She has held managerial positions for the better half of ten years, with a focus on people and culture and operations. With a passion for creative industries, Kate enjoys working with like-minded people and has grown a love for working within high education in conjunction. 

Kirst, with over 20 years of experience in various leading brands and international universities, is fluent in offering extensive experiences in student engagement. Her approach to leadership has initiated staff and community engagement programs and VET/HE successful student journeys.

With a belief that education has the power to change lives, tied in with her passion for people, Kirst as a Campus Manager has been given the opportunity to impact the future of others with her team, delivering the support needed for success.

Amanda is an experienced arts educator and curriculum designer, recognised for developing innovative programs. As Executive Dean at JMC Academy, she is committed to supporting the next generation of creative practitioners through engaging learning experiences that connect students with creative industry networks locally and globally.

Amanda’s career spans senior leadership roles in higher education in Australia and overseas. Recent roles include Director, Academy of the Arts and Humanities for Charles Darwin University, Executive Director Conservatoire at the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA), Dean, Faculty of Performing Arts at LASALLE College of the Arts in Singapore and Director of the Centre for Fine Arts, Music and Theatre at the University of Canterbury in New Zealand.

Amanda holds a PhD in Literature from Sydney University and a Graduate Diploma in Direction from NIDA. She brings expertise in performing arts, arts pedagogy, and interactive digital media. Her research projects, integrating new technologies in the arts, have gained international recognition, including the first British Academy Award for Interactive Entertainment for StageStruck, produced at NIDA in collaboration with the Sydney Opera House, The Australian Ballet, Opera Australia, and Wollongong University.