Chief Executive Officer

Shona Bass has worked in the education sector for thirty years.  Early in her career Shona taught in secondary independent and public schools and mentored tertiary students in teacher training.  Shona completed her PhD in the Department of Medicine at the University of Melbourne specializing in children's growth and development. Shona built an international research career and has been the recipient as principal Investigator of numerous internationally and nationally competitive grants; These include a prestigious National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Career Development Fellowship in Population Health; a NHMRC Project Grant and an Australian Research Council Grant.  Shona was also a Principal Investigator on a large research grant funded by the National Institute of Health (NIH) in the USA.  Shona has published widely in international peer reviewed journals and has written many book chapters.  Shona's publications have been referred to and cited extensively in the international arena.  She is a well known speaker internationally and nationally about children's growth and development. Shona was a Professor and Head of School at Deakin University.  Shona has recently joined Early Life Foundations as Chief Executive Officer and Consultant.  Shona is responsible for the conception, development and implementation of key initiatives for Early Life Foundations and The WALKER Learning Approach.  Shona presents to parents, community groups, and professionals in child development, emotional intelligence and all facets of leadership.  Shona also works with organizations in writing applications for funding.