Meet the Team
CoreBridge Advisory brings together practitioners who have led institutions, shaped national policy, rebuilt workforce systems, and advised at the highest levels of government and higher education across Australia, and New Zealand.
Every engagement draws on this collective depth — advisors who have held the roles our clients hold, navigating the same complexities from the inside. The people in the room at the start are the people in the room at the end.
Founder and Managing Principal of CoreBridge Advisory
Benjie‑Etta Norman
Benjie is a highly experienced strategist and advisor with a proven track record across higher education, transnational education, growth strategy, and innovation. As the Founder and Managing Principal of CoreBridge Advisory, she partners with universities and knowledge-sector organisations to drive growth, transformation, and long-term impact.
With more than 20 years’ executive experience, Benjie has led billion-dollar strategic initiatives, overseen global education expansion, and advised on high-value partnerships, commercial ventures, and institutional reform. She brings deep expertise in navigating complexity, aligning commercial strategy with mission, and unlocking opportunities for impact.
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Senior executive with 20+ years’ experience in strategy, finance, and transformation across higher education and innovation
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Specialist in education, governance, market expansion, and commercialisation of research and education
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Board and advisory roles spanning universities, NGOs, investment, BioTech, MedTech and innovation sectors
Senior Advisor, Education, Health and Innovation Strategy
Professor Emeritus Margaret Hay
An internationally respected academic leader and strategist, Professor Hay brings over 30 years’ experience shaping health and higher education through innovation, policy reform, and global partnerships. As Professor Emeritus at Monash University, she has led large-scale transformation in medical and professional education, serving as Founding Director of both the Monash Institute for Health & Clinical Education and the Monash Centre for Professional Development.
At CoreBridge Advisory, Prof. Hay advises on university transformation, leadership development, DEI integration, and transnational education. Her global affiliations include the Harvard Macy Institute and previously the MGH Institute of Health Professions.
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Led Monash’s executive education and professional development for educators
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Former Faculty member and Lead of International Programs, Harvard Macy Institute (Harvard University)
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Specialist in leadership learning, psychological safety, and workforce resilience
Senior Advisor, Strategy, Partnerships and Business Development
Belinda Harries
Belinda bridges the gap between public sector rigour and startup agility, helping education and research organisations think and act more strategically. Her background spans government policy, strategy consulting, serial entrepreneurship, and deep knowledge across tertiary and schools education.
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Strategic Vision & Planning Developing unique value propositions and strategic frameworks for university faculties, research units, NFPs, and purpose-driven organisations navigating complex stakeholder environments.
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Commercial Strategy & Partnerships Identifying market opportunities, securing high-value contracts, and building cross-institutional and sector partnerships that create shared value and measurable impact.
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Early-Stage Business Development Building and scaling startups with deep expertise in SaaS, enterprise strategy, and early-stage funding pathways across multiple sectors.
Senior Advisor, Policy, Research & Strategy
Dr Bronwyn Hinz
Bronwyn helps leaders turn complexity into clear choices through thoughtful engagement and robust evidence. She brings 20+ years across consulting, academia, think tanks, start-ups and parliament, with recognised expertise in education policy, governance and federal reform.
She has worked with every Australian education department, multiple peak bodies, regulatory authorities and tertiary education providers on strategy, policy and program (co) design, evaluations, workforce planning, governance reviews and beyond.
• Chief of Staff for Maria Vamvakinou MP and advisor to Senator Kim Carr in the Australian Parliament.
• Senior roles at Mitchell Institute, Australian Education Research Organisation, Nous Group and HumanAbility: Designed and led influential research, strategies and recommendations shaping national debates, funding and policies on system performance and equity.
• Selected projects: Evaluation of Queensland’s $755m Advance Queensland agenda; international review to boost socio-economic diversity in schools; national workforce plan for the care & support sectors.
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Senior Advisor, Research, Inclusion & Global Partnerships
Jacob Thomas
Jacob Thomas is an internationally recognised human rights advocate and higher education expert with over 15 years’ experience in academic strategy, research leadership, student engagement, and global partnerships. A multi-published researcher and advisor, Jacob brings deep expertise in interdisciplinary methodologies, research impact, and inclusive education policy.
At CoreBridge Advisory, Jacob supports universities to strengthen their research strategies, build inclusive, evidence-based academic frameworks, and forge international collaborations. Their work helps institutions enhance student success, drive innovation, and ensure research delivers real-world impact.
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Specialist in integrating lived experience into research and teaching
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Expertise in research strategy, student inclusion, and internationalisation
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Advisor to governments and institutions on equity, impact, and innovation
Lead Facilitator, Leadership Evolution
Ray Lind ONZM
Ray is a strategic operator who rebuilt New Zealand’s care and health workforce system. He is nationally decorated for his work in governance and leadership development and brings hard-earned insight into systems change and operational trust.
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Former CEO of Careerforce NZ;
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ONZM recipient for services to training governance
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Former faculty at Monash & Harvard Macy Institute leadership courses
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Expert in succession, mentoring, operational reform, and identity-informed leadership
Lead Facilitator, Leadership Evolution
The Hon. Dame Annette King
An icon of public leadership, Dame Annette brings unmatched political, mentoring, and leadership experience. Her calm strength, clarity, and capacity to mentor under pressure have influenced generations of senior leaders.
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NZ’s longest-serving woman in Parliament; held 10+ portfolios in Cabinet
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Former High Commissioner to Australia
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Mentor to Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern
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Insightful voice on gender, power, influence, and institutional endurance