Australian/American Fulbright Board Members
The Board of Directors consists of five citizens of the United States of America who are appointed by the Principal Officer in charge of the Diplomatic Mission of the United States of America in Australia (currently the United States Ambassador to Australia); and five citizens of Australia who are appointed by the Prime Minister or his/her nominee (currently the Minister for Education). The Prime Minister of Australia and the United States Ambassador to Australia serve as joint Honorary Chairpersons of the Commission. The Board of Directors elects from its members a Chair with voting power each year.
Honorary Co-Chairs
The Hon Anthony Albanese MP
Prime Minister of Australia
Ms. Erika Olson
United States Chargé d’Affaires to Australia
Chair
Sara James
Author and Journalist
Treasurer
Jared Caplan
Counselor for Public Affairs
United States Embassy, Canberra
Jeremy Cornforth
Consul General
United States Consulate, Sydney
Professor Brian P. Schmidt, AC, FAA, FRS
Chair of the Group of Eight Universities
David Hallberg
Artistic Director
The Australian Ballet
Karen Sandercock
First Assistant Secretary, International Division,
Australian Government Department of Education
Dougal McInnes
Assistant Secretary, United States Branch, Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Professor Carolyn Evans
Vice Chancellor and President, Griffith University
Dennis Richardson, AO, AC
Former Secretary,
Department of Defence, Australian Government
Executive Director
Dr Varuni Kulasekera is a scientist specialising in public health, science communication and mindfulness education. She has a BSc and a Master’s degree in Zoology and Entomology from Sri Lanka, a PhD in Medical Entomology and Evolutionary Biology from the University of Maryland, College Park, and a Graduate Certificate in Geographic Information Systems from Pennsylvania State University. Varuni has served on various boards over the years. Having joined the Fulbright Australia Board of Directors in 2014, and acted as interim Executive Director in 2022, Varuni has dedicated over 8 years to the governance and advancement of the Fulbright Program in Australia. In 2023, this service was honoured with the U.S. Mission Australia Award for Leadership Excellence by Ambassador Caroline Kennedy, U.S. Ambassador to Australia.
Varuni is excited to be back in Canberra leading the effort to foster educational opportunities and cultural goodwill between Australia and the United States.
Finance and Business Manager
Brendan Greenwood’s finance background is predominantly in the Not-for-Profit sector. As a qualified CPA, he also has a Master’s in Teaching (Secondary) and a Graduate Certificate in Religious Education from the Australian Catholic University. He is also a voluntary board member in the Not-for-Profit Broadcasting and Sporting industries.
Communications and Marketing Manager
Alex Maclaurin is the Communications and Marketing Manager at Fulbright Australia. With nearly a decade of experience promoting and facilitating transformative international exchange opportunities for students and researchers, he is dedicated to expanding access to global education. As a beneficiary of international exchange himself, Alex understands firsthand the impact of these experiences, and champions intercultural communication as a catalyst for meaningful collaboration and lasting global connections.
Programs Manager
Rebekah Fulop is the Programs Manager at Fulbright Australia. With a background in higher education and extensive experience in program and project management, she is committed to advancing the Fulbright mission of fostering educational excellence and international collaboration. Having completed doctoral research in both Australia and the United States, Rebekah brings a strong understanding of the international academic context and a deep appreciation of the transformative impact of cross-cultural exchange.
Program Officer
Saki Kimura is a Program Officer at Fulbright Australia. With a background in education and a commitment to international exchange, Saki supports Fulbright Scholars throughout every stage of their Fulbright journey — from selection and onboarding to their transition into the alumni community. Originally from California and a former primary school teacher in the U.S., Saki brings a bicultural perspective , helping both Australian and American scholars navigate the unique opportunities and challenges of living and studying abroad.
Program Officer
Kristine Kong is a Program Officer at Fulbright Australia, overseeing the student portfolio and supporting the delivery of core program activities. She brings experience across secondary, vocational, and early childhood education in both Australia and internationally. Her background also includes client engagement, program coordination, and cross-cultural communication. Kristine holds a Bachelor of Secondary Education from the Philippines and a Master of Education from The University of Western Australia, specialising in assessment and evaluation.
Assistant Accountant
Darianna Rubio is the Assistant Accountant at Fulbright Australia. She works collaboratively with the team to ensure compliance and sound financial management, helping the organisation deliver its mission of advancing education and cultural exchange. With a background in accounting and applied mathematics, she enjoys problem solving and applying her analytical skills to deliver practical solutions. Dari is particularly interested in financial sustainability and the not-for-profit sector, and is motivated by contributing to work that creates a positive impact.
Administrative Assistant
Iroshani Rathnayake is an Administrative Assistant supporting Fulbright Australia in its scholarship programs. She holds BSc degree in Information Technology and Business Information Systems from UK. With a background in event coordination, Iroshani is passionate about building strong relationships and ensuring the smooth operation of programs and events. She values the opportunity to engage with Australia’s multicultural community and enjoys experiencing new cultures and perspectives through her work.