Welcoming Board Member Ross Jennings
Board Member Ross Jennings at TLG Executive Retreat in July
In June 2020, Teach Learn Grow welcomed newest board member Ross Jennings to our group of dedicated advocates for improving education standards across rural and remote Australia.
Currently working as Health and Safety Manager for mining and exploration company IGO, Ross has had a diverse career including leadership and advisory roles that have taken him all across Western Australia.
“I was really lucky growing up. I had a great childhood and a lot of opportunities,” he said while describing his upbringing in the UK. “Something that has been consistent through my life is an ability to communicate with people, and to reach out to people.”
When asked what led him to join TLG’s mission, Ross replied, “I guess everything we’ve done in life has brought us to here now. There have been things along the path that have pointed us towards achieving an outcome, and there have been things that have been less productive as well. I think realistically the path has come about through just allowing it to come about.”
During his presentation at the TLG Executive Retreat in July, Ross shared how his adventurous and nature-loving character has impacted the way he approaches life. “I’m a big lover of the natural environment… I live and breathe the outdoors.”
“I live my life a bit like a leaf in the wind, and that’s why TLG’s logo really resonates with me, seeing a leaf there. As much as I do plan some things; there are hobbies and interests I have that involve a lot of planning like diving expeditions, working in the Arctic, and mountaineering; I also like to live on a day-to-day basis with an open mind to paths as they appear.”
Ross also shared his favourite aspect of working with the TLG board has been “just being around a great bunch of people with such a solid set of values.’ He went on to commend the diverse demographic of the TLG board, “the board has a good demographic in terms of what it represents. Traditionally nowadays we talk about, or use the term, diversity. And there really is diversity in the TLG board, in terms of skill sets and background. So all of these things add to being part of a great board, but more than that being part of a really great organisation.”
Ross Jennings with TLG Chief Executive Officer Bridget Staude
Entering the organisation in the midst of a global pandemic, Ross expressed his great admiration for TLG’s response to the issues COVID-19 has exposed with remote learning in rural communities. “I would like to say I’m so impressed with the response from TLG with reaction to the COVID-19 pandemic. Just the quick thinking of a group, and a team, to come up with responses and still be able to fulfil some of the programs without having to be there, such as the eMentor programs. I think that’s testament to a great team at TLG.”
At the Retreat, Ross also shared his advice for anyone wanting to reach out and try to make a difference: “I think it’s identifying where our skills are, and where potentially there is a deficit of skills, or where we believe we have identified a deficit, and being able to contribute to bridging that gap… I think the key thing is identifying an opportunity, being comfortable with being uncomfortable, and actually reaching out and starting there.”
To find out more about TLG’s Board and purpose click here.