Risk Management Committee

Risk Management Committee

Mr Steven Holliday serves as a distinguished member of the Governing Council and the Risk Management Committee at Southern Cross Institute (SCI). He is a Fellow of CPA Australia and has been a member for more than 30 years. Mr Holliday has also been a member of the Governance Institute of Australia for more than 15 years.

He has more than 20 years of experience in the higher education sector. As a senior university staff member, Mr Holliday has gained considerable governance and management experience and has held financial oversight responsibilities across many of his university roles.

Mr Holliday is passionate about the delivery of high-quality learning, teaching and student support. He also brings extensive experience in working with international students.

Mr Alex Malley serves as a distinguished member of the Governing Council and the Risk Management Committee at Southern Cross Institute (SCI). He brings a wealth of industry expertise in the realms of accounting and business management. Currently serving as the CEO of the Australian Chiropractors Association since 2022, he previously held the position of Chief Executive at CPA Australia from 2009 to 2017. Mr Malley is a renowned startup investor, mentor, and bestselling author of “The Naked CEO”. Beyond his roles in the corporate world, he is an accomplished television host who has interviewed notable figures like Neil Armstrong, reaching audiences worldwide.


A familiar presence in Australian media, he has contributed as a regular commentator on The Nine Network’s The Today Show, ABC Breakfast, and 2GB radio station. Recognised on The Accountant magazine’s Global Accounting Power 50 List, his influence extends beyond business to encompass national economic and political discussions. He has also served on The Prince of Wales Accounting for Sustainability Project.

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Mr Jeff Hughes serves as a member of the Risk Management Committee at Southern Cross Institute (SCI). He brings extensive governance and executive experience gained in Australia and internationally across professional services, mining and professional membership associations.

A member of Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand (CA ANZ), Mr Hughes has held senior leadership roles, including Company Secretary and Chief Financial Officer of an ASX-listed company, as well as Chief Operating Officer of one of Australia’s largest professional membership organisations.

Mr Hughes contributes deep expertise in financial management, corporate governance and strategic risk oversight. He also brings a strong understanding of the higher education sector, developed through his engagement with academics, students and cross-disciplinary programs. His insights support SCI’s commitment to robust risk management frameworks and sound institutional governance.

Associate Professor Anju Kalluvelil Janardhanan is Deputy Dean at Southern Cross Institute (SCI), where she provides strategic leadership in academic quality, curriculum innovation, learning and teaching, governance and staff development. With nearly two decades of experience in higher education across Australia and internationally, she has established a strong reputation for advancing academic excellence, enhancing student success and leading initiatives that strengthen educational quality and institutional performance. An award-winning educator and researcher, she is recognised for her contributions to teaching excellence and technology-enhanced learning.

Throughout her career, Associate Professor Janardhanan has led a wide range of academic initiatives encompassing curriculum oversight, quality assurance, assessment practices, professional accreditation, academic governance and continuous improvement. Her collaborative leadership approach has enabled her to mentor academic staff, drive curriculum enhancement and foster innovation in teaching and assessment.

Associate Professor Janardhanan holds a PhD in Commerce, together with postgraduate qualifications in finance, business, management and tertiary education. Her research interests include accounting, corporate governance, finance, digital education, academic integrity and the responsible integration of artificial intelligence in higher education. She has published in peer-reviewed journals, contributed to edited books, presented at national and international conferences and actively serves the academic community as a peer reviewer, external examiner and invited speaker.

A passionate advocate for educational innovation, Associate Professor Janardhanan has led institutional initiatives focused on assessment quality, academic integrity and the effective integration of generative AI into higher education while maintaining rigorous academic standards. She is a Certified Practising Accountant with CPA Australia, a Chartered Accountant with Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand, a Fellow of the Institute of Managers and Leaders, an Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Research and Development Society of Australasia, an Associate Financial Accountant, and a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and the Institute of Public Accountants Australia.

Ms Heena Panchal serves as a member of the Risk Management Committee at Southern Cross Institute (SCI). As SCI’s Compliance & Special Projects Director, she brings valuable expertise in regulatory compliance, institutional governance, quality assurance, policy implementation and the coordination of strategic projects.

Ms Panchal supports the consideration of regulatory and accreditation requirements, institutional risks, quality standards and governance processes. Her contribution assists SCI in maintaining effective oversight, supporting continuous improvement and ensuring alignment with institutional and regulatory expectations.

Mr Mahesh Naganathan serves as a member of the Risk Management Committee at Southern Cross Institute (SCI). He brings extensive professional expertise in accounting, financial management, internal audit, systems and controls, project analysis and business planning. He has served as Director of Highland Accountants since 2007 and previously held senior financial and accounting roles in Australia, Zambia, Sri Lanka and Dubai.

Mr Naganathan is a Certified Practising Accountant and holds professional qualifications in management accounting and taxation. Throughout his career, he has developed significant experience in financial reporting, management and board reporting, internal controls, business planning, performance monitoring, and the development of financial systems and procedures.

Through his contribution to the Committee, Mr Naganathan provides valuable financial, governance and risk management expertise to support SCI’s institutional oversight and decision-making processes.