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.

Dr. Tim Weir has held numerous academic leadership roles in Higher Education providers and universities in Australia and the USA across a 20 year career in education and leadership.

Tim has enjoyed a long and varied career as a professional musician, having performed with artists as varied as KC and the Sunshine band, Michael Brecker, Aretha Franklin, Celia Cruz, Michael Bolton and Frank Sinatra Jr.

His academic work focuses on the intersection of creativity and business, as well as in leadership, compliance, and governance in tertiary education. Dr. Weir has presented and published in Australia, Canada, the United States, and in the UK.

Dr. Weir is a member of The Recording Academy (voting member), The Latin Recording Academy (voting member), a fellow of the International Education Association of Australia, a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and an honorary member of Pi Kappa Lambda, the National Music Honor Society (USA).

A Chartered Accountant by profession, George joined JMC Academy in 1998 and has held the position of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) from 2001 to 2024. During this time he has overseen the acquisition and expansion of campuses and has driven the accreditation and re-accreditation processes both in the vocational and high education sectors. George oversees the operation today across three states, 15 qualifications and over 1,800 students. George is a Doctor of Philosophy (Innovation) and a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Peter Gainey is responsible for overseeing all international initiatives, including outbound and inbound mobility of staff and students, offshore and onshore pathway partnerships, and offshore course delivery initiatives.

Peter’s previous roles included directing the Wollongong, Flinders and New England universities’ Japan office and the Australian National University’s Asia regional office. His extensive independent consulting experience focused on developing international student recruitment channels, profile raising and brand building in new markets, sourcing transnational education opportunities, institution linkage development, and market entry strategising and implementation.

Karen is the Director of Marketing & Brand at JMC Academy, bringing over 20 years of strategic leadership and a deep passion for elevating creative education.

With a background in professional services branding, Karen has been instrumental in transforming JMC’s market position from a niche VET provider to a leader in the creative higher education sector. Her expertise in developing innovative campaigns and fostering brand growth has driven JMC’s reputation for excellence in the creative arts and education industries.

Karen’s collaborative approach and commitment to purpose-driven marketing have not only strengthened the JMC brand but have also contributed to its recognition as a trailblazer in the education sector.

In her role, Karen is dedicated to inspiring her team and advancing the JMC's mission to empower aspiring creative professionals to excel in their chosen fields.

As a member of the Leadership Team, Anastasia oversees and leads multiple dynamic teams across all campuses, driving growth and innovation. Her role focuses on developing and implementing strategic student acquisition plans, cultivating strong relationships with key stakeholders, and ensuring the seamless delivery of high-quality educational experiences to our students.

With a deep passion for education and a results-oriented mindset, Anastasia collaborates with cross-functional teams to align enrolment objectives with the broader organisational vision. By fostering a culture of creativity and excellence, she aims to empower students to explore and unlock their full creative potential, contributing to their personal and professional growth.

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.