Executive Leadership Team
Formed in November 2023, the Executive Leadership Team (ELT) are all specialists in their fields, and bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to Schoolbox.
Each member of the ELT was selected not only for their capabilities, but also their fundamental values, which aligned to the principles and culture of Schoolbox.
Grant van der Kruk
Chief Executive Officer
Grant van der Kruk was appointed CEO in March 2023 and specializes in strategically and sustainably growing businesses in K-12 education markets across Asia Pacific. Core focuses for Grant are keeping the customer at the center of the business, building teams that connect to the vision and share the same goals.
Since joining Schoolbox in 2017 and building on the strong foundations built by its founders, Grant has reformed the organizational structure and raised the culture to new levels. Through his servant leadership and team first approach, Grant empowers and enables teammates to thrive in a positive and supportive environment.
Since joining Schoolbox in 2017 and building on the strong foundations built by its founders, Grant has reformed the organizational structure and raised the culture to new levels. Through his servant leadership and team first approach, Grant empowers and enables teammates to thrive in a positive and supportive environment.
Natalie Neilson
Chief Operations Officer
Natalie Neilson was appointed as Chief Operations Officer in November 2023.
Prior to her appointment, Natalie held the title of Head of People & Staff Experience at Schoolbox, where she has delivered strategic initiatives that have led to attracting amazing talent and achieving an overall staff satisfaction rating of 86%.
Natalie’s appointment as Chief Operations Officer reaffirms Schoolbox’s dedication to providing a supportive and positive workplace.
Prior to her appointment, Natalie held the title of Head of People & Staff Experience at Schoolbox, where she has delivered strategic initiatives that have led to attracting amazing talent and achieving an overall staff satisfaction rating of 86%.
Natalie’s appointment as Chief Operations Officer reaffirms Schoolbox’s dedication to providing a supportive and positive workplace.
Duane Cox
Chief Innovation Officer
Well known in the Schoolbox community, Duane Cox has held senior roles at Schoolbox since 2016.
With his deep knowledge of the education landscape and Schoolbox platform, Duane supports our customers through several phases of their Schoolbox journey.
As Chief Innovation Officer, Duane leads our Education, Innovation and Strategic Partner initiatives.
With his deep knowledge of the education landscape and Schoolbox platform, Duane supports our customers through several phases of their Schoolbox journey.
As Chief Innovation Officer, Duane leads our Education, Innovation and Strategic Partner initiatives.
Andrea Pesavento
Chief Financial Officer
Joining Schoolbox in 2023, Andrea Pesavento is the most recent addition of the ELT.
Prior to Schoolbox, Andrea experienced a 12 year journey with a manufacturing start-up, growing to 500+ employees globally and listed on the ASX.
Andrea’s experience and capabilities help provide Schoolbox with an understanding of what organizations need to thrive during growth journeys.
Prior to Schoolbox, Andrea experienced a 12 year journey with a manufacturing start-up, growing to 500+ employees globally and listed on the ASX.
Andrea’s experience and capabilities help provide Schoolbox with an understanding of what organizations need to thrive during growth journeys.
Chris Barr
Chief Commercial Officer
Chris Barr has more than 25 years of education and senior leadership experience in schools across Australia and Hong Kong.
Since joining Schoolbox in 2022, Chris has successfully led the School Engagement Team.
Chris now oversees all commercial teams at Schoolbox, establishing his commitment to keeping the customer at the center of all growth initiatives, and strengthening the engagement and transparency with our schools.
Since joining Schoolbox in 2022, Chris has successfully led the School Engagement Team.
Chris now oversees all commercial teams at Schoolbox, establishing his commitment to keeping the customer at the center of all growth initiatives, and strengthening the engagement and transparency with our schools.
Scott Salter
Chief Success Officer
Prior to his appointment in November 2023, Scott held the title of Head of Customer Success, where he led the Professional Services, Customer Support and Online Learning teams.
With over 20 years of leadership experience in Service businesses in the ICT and Education sectors, Scott's ability to demonstrate a deep understanding of the needs of schools, enables him to lead his teams to deliver the best possible outcomes for our customers.
With over 20 years of leadership experience in Service businesses in the ICT and Education sectors, Scott's ability to demonstrate a deep understanding of the needs of schools, enables him to lead his teams to deliver the best possible outcomes for our customers.
James Leckie
Chief Product Owner
Since Schoolbox's inception in 2002, James Leckie has led the development of the Schoolbox product as Chief Product Owner, Co-Founder and Director.
As Chief Product Owner, James will continue to oversee the product roadmap and architecture, and play a vital strategic role in adopting technology and securing our environment.
As Chief Product Owner, James will continue to oversee the product roadmap and architecture, and play a vital strategic role in adopting technology and securing our environment.
Grant van der Kruk
Chief Executive Officer
Grant van der Kruk was appointed CEO in March 2023 and specializes in strategically and sustainably growing businesses in K-12 education markets across Asia Pacific. Core focuses for Grant are keeping the customer at the center of the business, building teams that connect to the vision and share the same goals.
Since joining Schoolbox in 2017 and building on the strong foundations built by its founders, Grant has reformed the organizational structure and raised the culture to new levels. Through his servant leadership and team first approach, Grant empowers and enables teammates to thrive in a positive and supportive environment.
Since joining Schoolbox in 2017 and building on the strong foundations built by its founders, Grant has reformed the organizational structure and raised the culture to new levels. Through his servant leadership and team first approach, Grant empowers and enables teammates to thrive in a positive and supportive environment.
Natalie Neilson
Chief Operations Officer
Natalie Neilson was appointed as Chief Operations Officer in November 2023.
Prior to her appointment, Natalie held the title of Head of People & Staff Experience at Schoolbox, where she has delivered strategic initiatives that have led to attracting amazing talent and achieving an overall staff satisfaction rating of 86%.
Natalie’s appointment as Chief Operations Officer reaffirms Schoolbox’s dedication to providing a supportive and positive workplace.
Prior to her appointment, Natalie held the title of Head of People & Staff Experience at Schoolbox, where she has delivered strategic initiatives that have led to attracting amazing talent and achieving an overall staff satisfaction rating of 86%.
Natalie’s appointment as Chief Operations Officer reaffirms Schoolbox’s dedication to providing a supportive and positive workplace.
Duane Cox
Chief Innovation Officer
Well known in the Schoolbox community, Duane Cox has held senior roles at Schoolbox since 2016.
With his deep knowledge of the education landscape and Schoolbox platform, Duane supports our customers through several phases of their Schoolbox journey.
As Chief Innovation Officer, Duane leads our Education, Innovation and Strategic Partner initiatives.
With his deep knowledge of the education landscape and Schoolbox platform, Duane supports our customers through several phases of their Schoolbox journey.
As Chief Innovation Officer, Duane leads our Education, Innovation and Strategic Partner initiatives.
Andrea Pesavento
Chief Financial Officer
Joining Schoolbox in 2023, Andrea Pesavento is the most recent addition of the ELT.
Prior to Schoolbox, Andrea experienced a 12 year journey with a manufacturing start-up, growing to 500+ employees globally and listed on the ASX.
Andrea’s experience and capabilities help provide Schoolbox with an understanding of what organizations need to thrive during growth journeys.
Prior to Schoolbox, Andrea experienced a 12 year journey with a manufacturing start-up, growing to 500+ employees globally and listed on the ASX.
Andrea’s experience and capabilities help provide Schoolbox with an understanding of what organizations need to thrive during growth journeys.
Chris Barr
Chief Commercial Officer
Chris Barr has more than 25 years of education and senior leadership experience in schools across Australia and Hong Kong.
Since joining Schoolbox in 2022, Chris has successfully led the School Engagement Team.
Chris now oversees all commercial teams at Schoolbox, establishing his commitment to keeping the customer at the center of all growth initiatives, and strengthening the engagement and transparency with our schools.
Since joining Schoolbox in 2022, Chris has successfully led the School Engagement Team.
Chris now oversees all commercial teams at Schoolbox, establishing his commitment to keeping the customer at the center of all growth initiatives, and strengthening the engagement and transparency with our schools.
Scott Salter
Chief Success Officer
Prior to his appointment in November 2023, Scott held the title of Head of Customer Success, where he led the Professional Services, Customer Support and Online Learning teams.
With over 20 years of leadership experience in Service businesses in the ICT and Education sectors, Scott's ability to demonstrate a deep understanding of the needs of schools, enables him to lead his teams to deliver the best possible outcomes for our customers.
With over 20 years of leadership experience in Service businesses in the ICT and Education sectors, Scott's ability to demonstrate a deep understanding of the needs of schools, enables him to lead his teams to deliver the best possible outcomes for our customers.
James Leckie
Chief Product Owner
Since Schoolbox's inception in 2002, James Leckie has led the development of the Schoolbox product as Chief Product Owner, Co-Founder and Director.
As Chief Product Owner, James will continue to oversee the product roadmap and architecture, and play a vital strategic role in adopting technology and securing our environment.
As Chief Product Owner, James will continue to oversee the product roadmap and architecture, and play a vital strategic role in adopting technology and securing our environment.
