Roll Call: Meet the Faces Behind Frontline Education
When you call Frontline Education, you’re not just speaking with a “consultant.” You’re talking to a real person who cares about your story, your goals, and your future.
Recruitment can feel clinical and transactional in some places, but not here. Our team thrives on human connections. Behind every phone call is someone who’s been in your shoes. We’ve taught in classrooms, supported schools, and walked the path of change ourselves. That means when we listen, we really get it.
It’s the little things that make the difference. The consultant who remembers your child just started school. The quick check-in on how you’re feeling about relocating. The honest feedback that helps you nail your next interview. These aren’t “extras, they’re at the heart of what we do.
We believe recruitment is less about filling vacancies and more about building trust. Schools want teachers who will shape lives. Educators want roles where they can truly thrive. Our job is to bring those people together, and that only works when relationships come first.
So yes, we’ll talk about CVs, contracts, and start dates. But what drives us is the people on the other end of the phone. The humans. The teachers, the leaders, the schools, and the communities we serve.
At Frontline Education, we don’t just recruit, we connect. And that human touch is what makes all the difference.
Meet the Team
Frontline Education Melbourne & Queensland
Renee Lee
Agency Owner, Melbourne & Queensland
I grew up in the Barossa Valley in a big family, where weekends were all about food, footy, and finding things to do. My first job was at the local newsagency, where I somehow managed to provide someone with the winning jackpot ticket. Since then, my career has always been people-focused, helping, connecting, and doing a lot of talking. Life’s taken me from Melbourne to Istanbul, London, Whistler, and now Brisbane with over 35 countries visited along the way.
Quick Fire Qs:
What was your favourite subject at school – and what was your least favourite? I was into maths, as long as it wasn’t trigonometry or calculus. Drama, on the other hand, was a nightmare. Which is ironic, because work in recruitment can deliver plenty of real-life drama.
If your life had a review written about it, what would the headline be? Country girl conquers the city with sass and integrity
What’s your go-to coffee (or tea) order, and what does it say about you? I’m one of those people who doesn’t drink coffee (yes, we exist). My go-to is a chai steeped in almond milk. If you’ve got a favourite brand, I’m always open to recommendations.
What’s the most dramatic thing you’ve ever witnessed at work? Easily Dylan screeching like a toddler when he spotted a spider the size of a 1-cent coin. Safe to say, recruitment isn’t always glamorous.
Dylan Fullam
Agency Manager, Queensland
I’m Dylan, and I’m stoked to be part of the Frontline Education team here in Queensland! Before recruitment, I spent years managing people and building customer relationships across retail stores, and I quickly realised my favourite part of the job was always the same: the people.
Now, I get to do what I love every day, connecting the right person with the right role and watching both the individual and the business thrive.
Quick Fire Qs:
What was your favourite subject at school – and what was your least favourite? My favourite was either Modern History or Legal Studies. Guess I’m a sucker for a bit of research – plus I had really great teachers for both. Least favourite would have to be Maths – numbers and my brain are not friends.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of the year, what would it be? This is a great question, and I will answer it in the most roundabout, non-committal way I can. I could honestly listen to anything by Childish Gambino, but I will give a shout-out to the song Retro (Rough). For something more recent, maybe Dom Dolla – Dreamin (again, could pick a lot of his stuff). Let’s also throw in Sultans of Swing by Dire Straits to mix it up. Have your pick!
If your desk could talk, what would it say about you? If it could talk to me rather than about me, it would probably say ‘cleaaaannnn meeeee’. Cleaning the desk always falls down the daily priority list, so I imagine it probably wouldn’t have the nicest things to say (sorry desk).
What’s your hidden talent that no one in the office knows about? My claim to fame is finishing in the top 10k in the world in Fantasy Premier League (this was the 23/24 season), and I was number 1 in Australia around game week 30 of that season. Safe to say it has been a steep decline since, and I will not be answering any questions about how my team is going right now.
What’s your go-to coffee (or tea) order – and what does it say about you? I actually don’t really drink coffee or tea, except on the very odd occasion. If you were to ask someone in the office, they would tell you that means I’m mental and running off pure fumes, but if you ask me, it says I’m a child at heart who’d much prefer hot chocolate with extra marshmallows.
Tara Rae
Senior Recruitment Consultant, Queensland
I’m a country girl who moved to the big smoke over 15 years ago, and I’m told almost daily that I’m proof of that old saying we all know! I’m a people-person at heart, an animal lover, avid traveller and big picture thinker. I’m always amazed at where a simple hello to a stranger in a grocery store can take you, so if you ever see me about, feel free to throw me a greeting!
Quick Fire Qs:
What was your favourite subject at school, and what was your least favourite?
I was an odd-bob. My favourite subject was Art, closely followed by Chemistry. My least favourite? I don’t really remember, that’s how much I disliked it!
What’s one fun fact about you?
I was lucky enough to live in India a few years back, and hope to do so again one day. I’m in awe of human nature, how different cultures have developed over time and the impact they can have on you. It’s safe to say I’m a different person because of my travel experiences!
What’s your most-used emoji?
The laughter emoji! That’s what life’s for!
What’s your hidden talent that no one in the office knows about?
I’ve got a rep for being an open book, and we’ve worked together for so long that there’s not much the team don’t know about me. But, I think they might be a little surprised by my green thumb and general horticultural knowledge!
What’s your go-to coffee (or tea) order – and what does it say about you?
Piccolo with chocolate on top. Or as my favourite cafe team dubbed it, a ‘pico-chino.’ It probably highlights my inner child is not so inner, and I’ll take a sense of play with me to the grave!
Ellen Khalil
Recruitment Consultant, Melbourne
Melbourne-born and raised, I started out as an art teacher before jumping into education recruitment for 10 years. After running my own business for 8 years, I’ve circled back to where my heart is, connecting schools and teachers. When I’m not recruiting, I’m wrangling two teenage boys and trying (with mixed success) to keep my amazing plant collection thriving.
Quick Fire Qs:
What was your favourite subject at school, and what was your least favourite? Art was always my happy place. Maths, however, and I agreed to a permanent “we don’t get along” arrangement very early on.
If your life had a review written about it, what would the headline be? Plants, Coffee and Controlled Chaos: A Five-Star Performance.
What’s your hidden talent that no one in the office knows about? I’m secretly handy with furniture restoration and love a bit of interior styling. Give me a tired old chair and some paint, and I’ll happily turn it into a statement piece.
What’s your ultimate Friday knock-off ritual? A glass of wine, good music, and pretending the laundry pile doesn’t exist until Sunday.
Frontline Education Northern NSW
Melinda Flavell
Agency Owner
I’m Mel, proud owner of Frontline Education in Northern NSW. With over 20 years in the game, I’ve worn many hats: business owner, operator, recruiter, and mentor. I love rolling up my sleeves and helping people grow, whether it’s my team, my clients, or the candidates we back.
Quick Fire Qs:
What’s the most unusual or funny job you’ve ever had (before recruitment)? Started my working life in a deli
What’s the most rewarding part of being a recruiter? Changing people’s lives and making dreams come true!
What’s your go-to coffee (or tea) order, and what does it say about you? Weak Latte, victim of stomach surgery and not able to have strong coffee anymore – embarrassing!
If you had to host a reality show, what would it be about? Recruitment – it would be a cracker of a show!
What’s your ultimate Friday knock-off ritual? Ordering takeaway and watching rugby union
Ellsie Franklin
Recruitment Consultant
Hi, I’m Ellsie! I’m all about helping people find their perfect job match and making the process as smooth (and fun!) as possible. I love connecting talented individuals with exciting opportunities and building genuine relationships along the way.
Clear communication and a personal touch are big for me; I want both job seekers and businesses to feel supported and set up for success. I get a real buzz from creating positive, lasting connections and seeing people thrive in roles they love.
Quick Fire Qs:
What’s the most unusual or funny job you’ve ever had (before recruitment)? I used to work at a Blueberry Farm.
What was your favourite subject at school, and what was your least favourite? Favourite: History, Least Favourite: Science
What’s the most rewarding part of being a recruiter? Helping people and knowing I’ve contributed to their success and seeing both sides thrive makes the work truly valuable
What’s the weirdest food combo you secretly love? Fried Rice on Toast
What’s your ultimate Friday knock-off ritual? Sitting on the lounge with my partner and talking about our week
Frontline Education Sydney
Sharon Allison
Agency Owner
I was born in 1980 in Stockton-on-Tees, England. Fun fact about Stockton for all the history nerds – George Stephenson’s Locomotion No. 1 pulled the first steam-powered train on the Stockton and Darlington Railway, and the beginning of the public steam railway system.
Stockton used to boast the most pubs of any town in the UK, and I think at one point there may have been over 80, so I became pretty good at drinking and playing pool 😀
Quick Fire Qs:
What’s the most unusual or funny job you’ve ever had (before recruitment)? I’ve had many jobs, including packing crisps at KP Foods, pulling pints at The Parkwood hotel, accounts payable for the UK civil service and picking apples on an orchard in Manjimup, WA. My role at Frontline is my longest ever role, and I’ve just celebrated my 10th anniversary here!
What was your favourite subject at school – and what was your least favourite? I am a total geek and loved school. My favourite subjects were Physics, Art and English. I didn’t really like French or German, I don’t think my brain is wired for languages! Mon dieu!!
What’s one fun fact about you? Not about me, but my Grandad guarded Gandhi on the beach in India during WW2. He was in the RAF and fixed the Spitfires and Hurricanes when they came back with mechanical issues.
What’s the most rewarding part of being a recruiter? Hearing the great impact that the teachers and support staff we place have on students’ lives, particularly within the special education sector.
What’s your most questionable fashion phase ever? I’m still in it, I think!! I always gravitate towards pink and purple, so I blow in and out of fashion regularly 😀
What’s the weirdest food combo you secretly love? When I was little, after Sunday roast dinner, my Grandad used to give us a leftover Yorkshire pudding with a bowl of milk and a saucer of sugar. Dip the Yorkshire Pud in the milk, then the sugar. Don’t knock it till you’ve tried it! Heaven.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of the year, what would it be? 1000s Rockers’ rendition of Rebel Rebel. It’s amazing! Look it up on YouTube!
What’s your ultimate Friday knock-off ritual? I love to (try) and play golf, so if I can finish early, I go and have a round with my friends.
Lisa Sharman
Senior Recruitment Consultant
I’m Lisa, used to call myself a Briwi (British Kiwi), but now I have gained citizenship in Australia, not sure what to call myself now, any ideas?!
I’m from Manchester but mainly grew up in Warrington and went to Sheffield Hallam University. After uni, I moved to NZ to be with my parents and have since lived in 3 other places since then: Thailand, Abu Dhabi and now Australia.
I went to Thailand to teach ESL, and after gaining my graduate diploma in primary teaching, I taught in New Zealand for a short while, then the UK and then spent 4 years teaching in Abu Dhabi.
I’d always wanted to live in Sydney and had the fantastic opportunity to work at an EdTech company as their instructional designer, which was what brought me here. I missed being with children, so after this, I became a Director of OSHC, where I also became a Mentor and Vacation Care Area Manager.
I’ve always wanted to stay within education, as this is my passion, so I felt making the transition into education recruitment was a perfect fit for me…and here I still am 😊
Quick Fire Qs:
What was your favourite subject at school – and what was your least favourite? My favourite subject was English and my least favourite was Maths…I was so pleased when I passed it at GCSE level!
What’s one fun fact about you? I’ve just become a foster mum to a gorgeous cat called Pixel.
What’s your most-used emoji? The purple heart emoji, as I love the colour purple, and I just like to express my love for all things around me…sunsets, friends, sunrises, family, etc
What’s the most rewarding part of being a recruiter? I love finding people their dream role, which in turn shapes or changes their life. For example, I’ve had the privilege of helping people find their first role when moving from overseas or interstate and have loved being a part of their journey – settling down in a new role and making Sydney their home.
What’s your most questionable fashion phase ever? Definitely the 90’s…. where were my eyebrows?!
Laura Barlow
Recruitment Consultant
I’ve spent over 9 years in education recruitment across both the UK and Australia. I grew up in a small town just outside Manchester, and for the past 3 years I’ve been living in Sydney’s lovely eastern suburbs, which I’m proud to now call home.
Quick Fire Qs:
What’s the most unusual or funny job you’ve ever had? I used to pick rotten eggs off a conveyor belt on an egg farm when I was 15 and ended up staying there part-time for 2 years
What’s the weirdest food combo you secretly love? Tuna and 2-minute chicken super noodles
If your desk could talk, what would it say about you? I swear a lot
What’s your ultimate Friday knock-off ritual? Usually a large glass of French rosé/bottle
Frontline Education Wellington
Cam Dudding
Agency Manager
I live with my partner, Dan, on a small lifestyle block in Palmerston with our pack of rescues – including 2 dogs, a cat, 3 alpacas and our blind horse and his two seeing mini ponies.
I was an agency manager at Frontline Health Wellington for 3 years and have just opened Education in NZ – super exciting, after 3 years as an agency manager in Frontline Health. Prior to this I have worked in finance and travel. I still love to travel, just can never see enough of the world!
Quick Fire Qs:
What’s the most unusual or funny job you’ve ever had (before recruitment)? My first job was driving forklifts and making hinges – not glamorous at all!
What was your favourite subject at school, and what was your least favourite? Loved Maths and Reading in primary and intermediate, not so much Maths once I hit high school though lol, but still love reading
What’s the most rewarding part of being a recruiter? Being a part of a truly life-changing part of people’s lives and helping them secure a dream role.
What’s your ultimate Friday knock-off ritual? Go out to the paddock and hang with the animals for a while, and often with a nice drink!
Why We Do What We Do
Every story here shows why Frontline Education is different. We’ve got blueberry farmers, deli workers, globe-trotters, alpaca wranglers, and history buffs in the mix, but what unites us is people.
We believe the right teacher in the right school can change everything. And we believe every educator deserves a recruiter who listens, cares, and gets it.
So when you call us, you’re not just getting a consultant, you’re connecting with someone who loves what they do, quirks and all.