Our Leadership
Meet the people leading Schoolbox
Executive Leadership Team
Grant van der Kruk
Chief Executive Officer
Grant joined Schoolbox in 2017, bringing extensive experience in education, business growth and leadership across Australia and Asia. Before Schoolbox, he led the Asia-Pacific expansion of learning-space design company Furnware.
After holding senior roles across Schoolbox’s commercial, customer experience and general management functions, Grant was appointed CEO in 2023. His leadership is grounded in the belief that strong businesses are built through strong relationships, connected teams and a clear understanding of their customers.
Today, Grant leads Schoolbox’s strategy, culture and sustainable growth across Australia and international markets, ensuring the company continues to evolve without compromising the service, partnership and long-term commitment schools expect.
After holding senior roles across Schoolbox’s commercial, customer experience and general management functions, Grant was appointed CEO in 2023. His leadership is grounded in the belief that strong businesses are built through strong relationships, connected teams and a clear understanding of their customers.
Today, Grant leads Schoolbox’s strategy, culture and sustainable growth across Australia and international markets, ensuring the company continues to evolve without compromising the service, partnership and long-term commitment schools expect.
Chris Barr
Chief Commercial Officer
Chris brings more than 25 years of experience in education and leadership, including classroom and senior school roles across Australia and Hong Kong.
Since joining Schoolbox in 2022, he has worked closely with schools and partners in Australia and internationally, initially leading the School Engagement Team. His experience within schools gives him a practical understanding of the opportunities, pressures and complex decisions facing education leaders.
Chris now leads Schoolbox’s commercial strategy and the teams responsible for growth, customer engagement and partnerships. He is focused on ensuring the customer voice remains central to how Schoolbox grows and strengthening the transparency, trust and collaboration behind every school partnership.
Since joining Schoolbox in 2022, he has worked closely with schools and partners in Australia and internationally, initially leading the School Engagement Team. His experience within schools gives him a practical understanding of the opportunities, pressures and complex decisions facing education leaders.
Chris now leads Schoolbox’s commercial strategy and the teams responsible for growth, customer engagement and partnerships. He is focused on ensuring the customer voice remains central to how Schoolbox grows and strengthening the transparency, trust and collaboration behind every school partnership.
Natalie Neilson
Chief People and Culture Officer
Natalie brings broad experience across people and culture, including recruitment, talent management, employee relations and employee experience.
Before being appointed Chief Operations Officer in 2023, she served as Schoolbox’s Head of People and Staff Experience. In this role, she led initiatives designed to attract, support and retain a talented and connected team while strengthening the practices and culture that underpin the employee experience.
Natalie now oversees Schoolbox’s internal operations, people practices and organisational foundations. She is focused on creating the structures and environment that enable people to do their best work, helping Schoolbox grow sustainably while maintaining the collaborative, flexible and people-centred culture that shapes how the company works.
Before being appointed Chief Operations Officer in 2023, she served as Schoolbox’s Head of People and Staff Experience. In this role, she led initiatives designed to attract, support and retain a talented and connected team while strengthening the practices and culture that underpin the employee experience.
Natalie now oversees Schoolbox’s internal operations, people practices and organisational foundations. She is focused on creating the structures and environment that enable people to do their best work, helping Schoolbox grow sustainably while maintaining the collaborative, flexible and people-centred culture that shapes how the company works.
Andrea Pesavento
Chief Financial Officer
Andrea built her career in finance through high-growth environments, including 12 years with a manufacturing start-up that scaled to more than 500 employees globally and ultimately listed on the ASX. That experience gave her first-hand exposure to the financial, operational and organisational demands of growing a business through significant change.
A chartered accountant, she brings deep experience in financial leadership, commercial decision-making and building the structures that support sustainable scale.
Andrea joined Schoolbox in 2023 and now leads the company’s financial strategy, working across the business to support sound decision-making and ensure Schoolbox can continue investing in its people, platform and long-term growth.
A chartered accountant, she brings deep experience in financial leadership, commercial decision-making and building the structures that support sustainable scale.
Andrea joined Schoolbox in 2023 and now leads the company’s financial strategy, working across the business to support sound decision-making and ensure Schoolbox can continue investing in its people, platform and long-term growth.
Scott Salter
Chief Success Officer
Scott brings more than 25 years of experience across operational, technical, consulting and leadership roles within information technology, communications and service-based organisations.
Throughout his time at Schoolbox, Scott has developed a strong understanding of the technical and organisational challenges schools face when introducing, adopting and sustaining digital systems. Before joining the Executive Leadership Team, he led the Customer Success function, including Professional Services, Customer Support and Online Learning.
Scott now leads the teams responsible for helping schools successfully implement, adopt and gain long-term value from Schoolbox. His focus is ensuring every stage of the customer journey is supported by practical expertise, responsive service and a clear understanding of what each school is working to achieve.
Throughout his time at Schoolbox, Scott has developed a strong understanding of the technical and organisational challenges schools face when introducing, adopting and sustaining digital systems. Before joining the Executive Leadership Team, he led the Customer Success function, including Professional Services, Customer Support and Online Learning.
Scott now leads the teams responsible for helping schools successfully implement, adopt and gain long-term value from Schoolbox. His focus is ensuring every stage of the customer journey is supported by practical expertise, responsive service and a clear understanding of what each school is working to achieve.
Duane Cox
Chief Product Owner
A former teacher, Duane began his career teaching information technology, biology and mathematics before moving into education technology. He holds master’s degrees in teaching and educational management from the University of Melbourne.
Since joining Schoolbox in 2016, Duane has held senior roles spanning innovation, customer engagement, partnerships and product strategy. This breadth of experience has given him a deep understanding of both the Schoolbox platform and the evolving needs of schools.
As Chief Product Owner, Duane shapes Schoolbox’s product vision, strategy and continued innovation. He combines an educator’s perspective with extensive product knowledge to ensure new capabilities remain practical, connected and responsive to the realities of teaching, learning and school operations.
Since joining Schoolbox in 2016, Duane has held senior roles spanning innovation, customer engagement, partnerships and product strategy. This breadth of experience has given him a deep understanding of both the Schoolbox platform and the evolving needs of schools.
As Chief Product Owner, Duane shapes Schoolbox’s product vision, strategy and continued innovation. He combines an educator’s perspective with extensive product knowledge to ensure new capabilities remain practical, connected and responsive to the realities of teaching, learning and school operations.
Meet the team
Schoolbox Founders and Directors
James Leckie
Schoolbox Founder & Director
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.
Matt Sambell
Schoolbox Founder & Director
Sean Richards
Schoolbox Founder & Diredctor
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