Kathryn Stenson
Chief Executive Officer | Senior Leadership Group
Kathryn is 25 years into her career in the Vocational Education Training and Employment Industries. Kathryn is passionate about apprenticeships and traineeships and the benefits they provide people of all ages to gain qualifications through structured workplace learning.
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Kathryn is on the board for the Apprentice Employment Network QLD & NT, National Australian Apprenticeships Association, YouthWorX NT and Independent Tertiary Education Council Australia (ITECA).
The National Apprentice Employment Network is the peak association representing around 150 Group Training Organisations located throughout Australia. Collectively the network employs around 30,000 apprentices and trainees and works with over 100,000 businesses. Through her involvement with the association and passion to see people achieve, Kathryn has developed strong relationships with organisations throughout Australia enabling GTNT Group to benefit from the economy of scale the network provides with direct links to the Northern Territory and Australian Governments.
In addition to local and national Boards and Associations Kathryn is engaged with, she is also the Chairman and CEO of the Institute of Skills and Training Australia (ISTA) which works in close association with a range of educational institutions in the Philippines providing Australian qualifications through a skills enhancement model. Under Kathryn’s stewardship, the Institute of Skills and Training Australia (ISTA) is actively working with the Northern Territory Government to promote and grow vocational education and training in the Philippines and the ASEAN region.
Lynda Townsend
Chief Financial Officer | Senior Leadership Group
Lynda is responsible for the overall financial management of GTNT Group. Lynda has 33 years’ experience in business services and taxation and has held the role of Chief Financial Officer for eleven years. Lynda’s 16 years experience with KPMG as a Senior Manager, then Director, provided her with the necessary skills to ensure successful financial outcomes and best practice reporting. Lynda has a Bachelor Degree in Commerce, majoring in Accounting, and is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants.
Shaun Stenson
International Engagement and Training Manager | Senior Leadership Group
As our International Engagement and Training Manager, Shaun has been overseeing the daily operations of our Registered Training Organisation (ISTA, RTO Code: 0381) since 2018. In this capacity, he excels at cultivating relationships both domestically and internationally to deliver training solutions that align with stakeholder requirements and expectations. Before assuming this role, Shaun held significant positions in the electrical industry, serving as a project/construction manager and superintendent across Victoria, Queensland, and the Northern Territory. His leadership skills were instrumental in driving successful outcomes. Shaun’s extensive experience is highlighted by his completion of six VET diploma qualifications.
Sherryn Killmister
Innovation and Integration Manager | Senior Leadership Group
Sherryn commenced her employment with GTNT Group in September 2012 and currently holds the role of Innovation and Integration Manager which includes all Business Development including all recruitment and sales aspects for the organisation. This includes all major recruitment intakes, day-to-day recruitment and commencement of all new host businesses and employers with GTNT Group. Sourcing and manage tenders, grants, and proposals across the company. Sherryn provides expert, professional advice and leadership to GTNT Group Staff in the development, implementation and review of the GTNT Group training and development directions to ensure that all workforce development strategies are part of a planned program and are designed to address the company’s current and future needs.
Trenna Gibsone
Apprenticeships NT - General Manager | Senior Leadership Group
Trenna is the General Manager of Apprenticeships NT, and a dedicated leader in vocational education and workforce development. She brings over a decade of experience across the construction, education, and training sectors, including more than six years working on workforce development projects within the Northern Territory Government. In her current role, Trenna oversees all aspects of the Apprenticeships NT services department, including service delivery and contract management, with a strong focus on building a skilled and sustainable Territory workforce. Trenna has successfully led the delivery of both the Australian Apprenticeship Support Network and the newly awarded Australian Apprenticeship Support Services contract. This nationally recognised contract supports over 3,500 active apprentices and trainees across the Northern Territory.
Shannon Widdall
Human Resources & Compliance Manager
Shannon commenced her journey with GTNT Group in November 2015, starting within the Finance Team where she expanded her knowledge and skillset across financial operations. Her dedication and capability saw her grow within the finance space for several years before transitioning into the role of Executive Assistant to the CEO a position that significantly broadened her organisational perspective. Building on this experience, Shannon was appointed as the Compliance Manager where she oversees the organisation’s IT infrastructure, ensuring systems and processes meets operational needs while maintaining the complex Right Fit for Risk accreditation. In addition to her compliance and IT responsibilities, Shannon stepped into the role of Human Resources Manager during a period of maternity leave coverage. In this capacity, she has drawn on her extensive organisational knowledge and significant cross functional experience to support best practice in Human Resources, Quality Management, and Work Health and Safety.
Jess Molloy
First Nations Engagement and Mentor Manager
Jess commenced her employment with GTNT Group in 2007 where she started working as a Field Officer for the Australian Apprenticeships NT for over 5 years in Central Australia. Prior to working for Australian Apprenticeships NT she worked within administration roles for two different Registered Training Organisations. Jess took on the role of Employment Specialists for the GTO, servicing the Alice Springs region and remote communities in the Southern Region. Jess successfully managed the Industry Training Hub project as a Career Facilitator and ensures that host employers, apprentices, and trainees in Tennant Creek receive responsive and effective services. She also provides support to the Pearson VUE Test Centre in Alice Springs and is involved in new GTNT Group-supported initiatives, such as the Indigenous Skills and Employment Program (ISEP). With 18 years of experience at GTNT Group, Jess brings a wealth of knowledge about the VET sector into her role as First Nations Engagement and Mentor Manager for the Southern Region.
Emma Koerner
Employment Services Manager
Emma held the position of Employment Specialist with GTNT Group for eight years before transitioning into the Human Resources, Safety and Environmental Coordinator role in March 2019. As Employment Services Manager, Emma is responsible for the overall management and delivery of the Group Training Services. Ensuring the administration and field services team are delivering the highest standard of service to our apprentices and host business alike. She is excited to return to the Employment Services department and begin working to increase the number of Australian Apprentices and Host Businesses/ Employers within GTNT Group services across the Northern Territory.
Gemma Kaliebe
Apprenticeships NT - Operations Manager
Gemma commenced her employment with GTNT Group in 2019 as a Gateway Officer, and shortly after moved into the Registered Training Organisation, Institute of Skills and Training Australia, to pursue her passion for training and assessment. After several years in the RTO, Gemma was promoted into the role of Operations Manager under the Australian Apprenticeships Support Services contract. She is responsible for the operations and management of Apprenticeships NT staff in the Darwin, Katherine and Alice Springs offices and assists with the management of the contracts, compliance and administration, clients, marketing including career and mentoring support requirements throughout the Northern Territory. Gemma holds over 15 years of experience in retail and business management with three years training experience.
Josie Trayte
Marketing Manager & Executive Assistant
Josie joined GTNT Group in 2022 as the Executive Assistant for Corporate Services, delivering high‑level administrative support to the CEO. In this capacity, she manages executive schedules, facilitates cross‑departmental communication, and ensures the seamless execution of strategic initiatives aligned with the Board and CEO directives. In addition to her executive responsibilities, Josie was promoted to Marketing Manager, taking full ownership of the marketing strategy, campaign development, key project delivery, and event coordination. Josie has an great understanding of the vocational education and training industry in the Northern Territory and the GTNT Group day‑to‑day operations within the various business units. She also works with apprentices, trainees, and students to identify advocates for promotion of VET.
Poppy Darkadakis (Maternity Leave until 2025)
Human Resources Manager | Senior Leadership Group
Poppy Darkadakis has over 14 years in the VET industry with 11 years at GTNT Group. Poppy has worked with the Human Resources division of GTNT Group for 9 years and has extensive experience with industrial and employment relations, employee engagement and workforce development and is responsible for the overall management of Human Resources, Quality Management System and IT Support for GTNT Group. As the Human Resources Manager, Poppy manages a team of two which is inclusive of Quality, IT and staff WHS. Poppy ensures that GTNT Group is compliant in accordance with the Work Health and Safety (National Uniform Legislation) Act, Fair Work Act and Workplace Gender Equality Act and other relevant legislation.