South Australia’s independent schools appoint Tracey Taylor as chief executive

The Association of Independent Schools of South Australia (AISSA) has appointed experienced educator and education policy specialist Tracey Taylor as its next chief executive, bringing leadership experience across schools, sector organisations and education governance to the role.

Taylor, currently executive director of the Association of Independent Schools of the ACT (AISACT), will assume charge on January 11, 2027, ahead of the start of the new school year.

Her appointment follows a national recruitment process to find a successor to Anne Dunstan, who is set to leave AISSA on January 15 after four years leading the organisation.

Taylor brings extensive experience in school leadership and education advocacy. She has served as a principal in Queensland and New Zealand, led Steiner Education Australia as chief executive and worked as director of education policy at Independent Schools Australia.

Alongside her current responsibilities at AISACT, she serves on the boards of Independent Schools Australia and the Teacher Quality Institute, as well as the ACT Registration Standards Advisory Board.

AISSA chair Shannon Warren welcomed Taylor’s appointment, noting her personal connection to South Australia, where she spent her early childhood.

“We are delighted to welcome her back to South Australia,” Warren said.

She also acknowledged Dunstan’s contribution to the organisation, praising her dedication and leadership of the independent school sector.

Warren said Dunstan and Taylor would work together to ensure a smooth leadership transition, with opportunities planned for member schools to meet the incoming chief executive and farewell the outgoing leader.

Taylor said she was honoured to take on the role and recognised Dunstan’s contribution to AISSA and the wider South Australian independent school sector.

“I am honoured to succeed Anne Dunstan following her highly valued contribution to the SA Independent school sector and leadership of AISSA,” Taylor said.

Her appointment marks a leadership transition for AISSA as it prepares for the 2027 school year, with Taylor bringing experience spanning school management, education policy, sector representation and governance.