MEET THE STAFF

Sam Gorringe – Chief Executive Officer (she/her)

As the CEO of TUSA, I am responsible for the day-to-day operations and for long-term strategic and operational planning.

Reporting to the Board of Management and working closely with the State President and rest of the State Council team, I provide advice and help set direction to foster continuity from year to year.

My background is in People and Culture, Strategic Planning and Execution, and Business Transformation. I started with the TUSA in 2019 to lead the business transformation program and have since taken on the GM role to continue the focus on creating a vibrant and contemporary student association for all UTAS students.

I am passionate about students who join the TUSA in any capacity, be that through an elected position, internship, or as a volunteer, feeling enabled to deliver on their roles and specific goals but also having an opportunity to learn and grow for their post-university pursuits.

My personal interests include traveling (New York still not ticked off though), walking, and listening to music.

Renée de Villeneuve – Student Engagement and Development Manager (she/her)

As the Student Engagement and Development Manager, I love being able to work with students to design and develop professional development programs suited to their needs with a strong focus on practical learning. Needless to say, I love learning and often jet off to deep-dive into professional development courses and workshops. Personally, I thrive when ideas come together, and I see people’s confidence grow as they master something that was once deemed incomprehensible.

My background is in education, a career that has taken me all over the world, teaching, training, and coaching in schools, universities, and workplaces. I’m quite partial to adventures and spent the best part of fifteen years traveling, working, and living in Europe and North America, as well as Central and South East Asia, North Africa, and everywhere in between. I only recently returned to Australia and made the decision to move from my native Sydney to Hobart—alas, not via a yacht.

When I’m not in the classroom, I can be found swearing under my breath in the pilates and boxing studios, soaking in the great outdoors, and drinking gin.

Shauna-Lee Ward – Operations Manager (she/her)

As the Operations Manager of TUSA, I am responsible for the overall management of TUSA’s operations, including planning, delivery, monitoring, and reporting on operational activities, performance, and compliance. I have the great pleasure of overseeing the delivery of the Advocacy & Support Service and Regional Operations Teams, and I love working with the TUSA Team and students to deliver events and initiatives that contribute to student inclusiveness, engagement, and connectivity.

I previously worked at the University of Tasmania for fifteen years, so I have a solid background in tertiary administration and the higher education sector. I love working with students and working within a student-led organization where I can make a difference.

My personal interests are theater, yoga, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.

Tris Sidoryn – Regional Operations Team leader (she/her)

Hi, I’m Tristana (Tris) and I joined TUSA in Nov 2022 working on reports focused on student engagement.

I am now the Regional Operations Team Leader, and I manage the design, development, and delivery of TUSA events, projects, and initiatives across the UTAS campuses. I work in partnership with students to support student-led initiatives to enhance students’ overall experience at university.

Essentially, I’m your go-to person for event planning, and I have also started writing grant funding proposals.

I work remotely and am based in Melbourne, where I have twin toddlers that keep me busy in between work.

Michelle Lutan – Marketing and Communications Officer (Statewide) (she/her)

Heya, I’m Michelle, and I’m the go-to gal at TUSA for all things related to being creative, making things look pretty, branding, and marketing!

In a nutshell, I’m here to ensure that you, as a UTAS student, are aware of all our initiatives and services so that you can make the most out of your student experience, whilst at the same time ensuring that your student association, TUSA, is as vibrant and cool as it could be.

On top of being the marketing queen and digital Jill-of-all-trades here at TUSA (a self-proclaimed title), I occasionally work from the TUSA Hub in Newnham Campus, so do come say hi and grab some freebies.

Kate Davey – Advocate (she/her)

I have been lucky enough to work as a Student Advocate for many years now. I understand the opportunities that can open up for those who have been fortunate enough to access education. But I also understand that it is not always easy.

I am committed to ensuring that students voices are heard within the university, especially those who may have been disadvantaged.

The Student Advocacy Team can help students with welfare concerns and academic and administrative issues and can also refer students to community organizations where needed. I very much enjoy the opportunity to meet with students and to help where I can.

The TUSA Student Advocates can assist students in questioning decisions made by the university both informally and formally.

When not working, I enjoy being with family, appreciating gardens, bush, and animals, and cooking—but not cleaning! I love learning about Tasmania’s history and experiencing its old buildings, and I love reading to my grandchildren!

Jon Lenthall – Community Development & Student Advocacy Officer (he/him)

As a Student Advocate, I look forward to assisting students. There are many challenges and unforeseen adversities that may arise during a student’s time at university. TUSA’s Student Promises reflect the important work underway to support those studying at the university. I feel privileged to be part of the TUSA team, which is seeking to make a positive change in the lives of students. I have worked in well-being support, education-based roles, and within the performing arts. These are all areas that I am very passionate about and serve as a reminder that everyone’s experience is unique.

Stephen Nolan – Community Development & Student Advocacy Officer (he/him)

Life at the university can get complicated and messy. At TUSA, we want to be able to help you get your balance back and experience the kind of student life that you hoped you would have.

I have studied, researched, and worked in both education and support roles in Australia as well as overseas, and I’ve experienced just how crazy things can get.

We are here to listen, offer information and support, walk through processes, and provide advocacy for you. Please don’t hesitate to come in and see us.

Cathy Walker – Student Insight and Experience Officer North West (she/her)

My time with the TUSA began as a student representative, then as Campus President, and now I am the Student Insight and Experience Officer at Cradle Coast Campus.

I enjoy supporting students through their University journey and am very passionate about student representation at Cradle Coast.

My aim is to help the students of Cradle Coast enjoy their University journey as much as I enjoyed mine.

I am a keen photographer and love trekking through the forest in search of any rare and unusual fungi to photograph.

Ingrid Lagerewskij – Clubs and Societies Officer (she/her)

The most enjoyable part of my job is meeting so many amazing students who volunteer their time on clubs and societies, organizing activities so that their members can make friends through a variety of events, play sports, and generally have fun while studying at UTAS.

I’m here to help you with anything related to clubs and societies and to even start your own if you can’t find one that caters to what you are into.

Some people may already know or have surely guessed that I kind of like flamingos (if you have ventured into my office), relaxing in the sun, enjoying my garden, a good laugh, socializing with family and friends, and loud music (as that is truly the best way to experience it)!

Bronwyn Brown – Business Administrator (she/her)

I’m the person beavering away in the background with the finances and keeping the office nitty-gritty going.

You need something paid; I’m your person. Wages magically appear in employees accounts; that’s me too. If you need something done in the office, I’ll do it. I’m the go-to person when you don’t know who else to go to.

When not in the office, I’m plotting to cover the world in crochet yarny goodness; I own too many succulents to count and collect random objects to plant them in; I refuse to live in a house without a bathtub; and wherever I am, chocolate is always within reach.

Eloise Knuckey – Executive Assistant to CEO (she/her)

Hi everyone, I’m Eloise. I work for Sam to organize most meetings at TUSA, amongst other administrative work. Otherwise, I’m currently in my final year of an MBBS. Always happy to have a chat.