AMES is governed by a Board established under the Education and Training Reform Act 2006. AMES is an autonomous Adult Education Institute, accountable to the Victorian Minister for Skills, Education Services and Employment.

The AMES Board comprises eight members, five of whom are appointed by the Minister, the AMES CEO and one elected by staff.

The Board members bring a broad range of experience and skills to AMES including legal, financial, marketing, education and training, as well as an understanding of AMES client communities.

Graham Sherry, OAM (Chair)

Graham is a solicitor and partner with the international law firm Baker & McKenzie.  Graham has practised in many aspects of general commercial law, property development law, property securities law, tourism and hospitality.

Graham has been a member of the Executive Council of the Victorian Employers Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VECCI) since 1994 and held the position of President from 1999 to 2001. 

Graham has also served as Director of Footscray Football Club, Director of the Victorian Football League and as a member of AFL Appeals Board.

Dr Helen Szoke (Deputy Chair)

Helen is the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Conciliator of the Equal Opportunity Commission of Victoria. Previously, Helen was the Chief Executive Officer of the Infertility Treatment Authority, in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, since 1996.

Helen is currently a member of the National Health and Medical Research Licensing Committee. She has served as Chairperson of Women’s Health Victoria, a committee member and Chairperson of the Ethics Committee of the Royal Women's Hospital, a member of the Victorian Family Therapy Association Ethics Committee, a member of the School Council of Melbourne High School, an executive member of the Victorian Council of Social Services and an inaugural executive member of the Consumers Health Forum of Australia. She also served one term as a city councilor in the Preston City Council.

Paris Aristotle, AM

Paris is the Director of the Victorian Foundation for Survivors of Torture Inc. which provides counselling and casework services to refugees and survivors of torture and trauma.

Paris has been a member of a number of state, national and international bodies, advisory groups and delegations focusing on the rights and provision of services for refugees and humanitarian program entrants.

He is also a part-time Commissioner with the Victorian Law Commission.

Ian McHutchison - Chief Executive Officer

Before joining AMES as CEO, Ian was the General Manager, Social Enterprise at the Brotherhood of St Laurence.

He also serves several boards including Melbourne Community Foundation Network Ltd, Community 21 Ltd and Community Sector Bank Ltd.

Ian is legally trained and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Company Secretaries.

Josephine Boffa -

Jo has an extensive background in AMES Education, Employment and Training. Her Education experience ranges from teaching English overseas, to classroom teacher, to teaching English in the workplace at Visy and Toyota. Her Employment experience includes roles as an Employment Consultant, Vocational Training Consultant and Employment Unit Manager. Currently, she is on secondment, working on the Employment Services tender with the newly formed Research and Policy Unit.