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Reimagining Leadership Recruitment in Education

Aspire2 partners with education systems, schools and boards to ensure leadership appointments are made with the rigour, depth, and support they deserve
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The right leader changes everything

Culture. Direction. Staff retention. Student outcomes. Community confidence. 

A well-matched system leader, principal, or school leader creates momentum that lasts for years.

Organisations that approach these appointments with intention, with genuine contextual understanding, rigorous assessment, and support for the transition, consistently get better outcomes.

That’s where we come in.

Partnership across the full appointment journey

We work alongside you before, during, and after each appointment – bringing clarity and rigour to each stage.

1

Understand

Contextual discovery, staff consultation, community input, culture and strategy, so the search starts from clarity.

2

Define

A leadership profile shaped around your specific context, challenges, and values.

3

Search

Supported by our Aspire2 Leadership Collective and broader sector relationships, we engage outstanding leaders, both within our community and beyond

4

Assess

Holistic performance and psychometric evaluation of leadership capability, behavioural dynamics and organisational alignment.

5

Select

Structured support for panels and boards through evidence-informed decision-making.

6

Support

Transition coaching for new leaders, and development pathways for strong candidates.

Every organisation is different

Our engagements range from targeted support at key stages through to comprehensive partnership across the full journey. 

We design each engagement around what works best for your context. 

Discuss your requirements

For Systems, Schools and Boards

Invest in getting it right

Your next leadership appointment is an opportunity to strengthen your organisation for years to come. We provide the expertise, structure, and support to help you make that opportunity count.

Learn more

For Leaders

Find where you’ll thrive

The right leadership role is one where your capabilities, values, and aspirations align with the organisation’s context and direction. We help you find that match and support your success once you’re there.

Join our Leadership Collective

We understand education

Aspire2 is led by people who have led schools and education systems themselves. We're invested in getting these appointments right, setting leaders, schools and education organisations up for success.

Tara Staritski

Tara Staritski

Company CEO

Rowena Helps

Rowena Helps

General Manager

Dr Michael Boots

Dr Michael Boots

International Executive Search Consultant

Matt

Matt Linn

Executive Education Consultant

Yvette

Yvette Windsor

Client Liaison

Our Industry Partners

Our industry partners are the best in their field. Bringing expertise to every stage of the process.

outsideIn
ialign
OJO Creative
Headshots Adelaide
Mixed Mediuns
jeffress-square

Contact us

We would love to hear from you!

Head Office

  • Level 3, 170 Greenhill Road,
  • Parkside South Australia 5063

Get In touch

Opening Hours

  • Mon - Fri: 9am- 6pm ACST/ACDT

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We’re here to revolutionise education leadership recruitment.

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Tara Staritski

Tara Staritski  LinkedIn Logo

CEO and Founder

Tara is an experienced Managing Director and Business Operations Advisor with over 20 years of expertise in recruitment, human resources, and education. She has a proven track record in leading recruitment services that connect top talent with both private and government educational organisations, focusing on developing and implementing strategic, growth-oriented, and people-centred business solutions. Tara’s work spans the education sector, ensuring that schools and organisations have access to the right leaders and educators to drive their organisational growth.

Tara currently serves on the SA Council and as a Board Director for the RCSA, the peak body for the recruitment and staffing industry in Australia and New Zealand. In this role, she represents South Australian members on key industry issues, providing policy guidance, strategic advice, and stakeholder engagement.

As Managing Partner of ialign, Tara specialises in leadership development within the education sector. ialign creates scientifically validated, evidence-based tools to help educators understand their strengths, challenges, and leadership drivers. The company works with large educational organisations and government departments to support leadership pipeline development and future-ready leadership initiatives through tailored programs and system leader projects.

Rowena Helps

Rowena Helps  LinkedIn Logo

General Manager

Rowena is an experienced Education Talent Acquisition Consultant and the General Manager of Operations at Switch Education and Aspire2.

With over 20 years of experience working in the education sector, Rowena is a highly skilled teacher and consultant. In 2010 she seamlessly transitioned from teaching in schools and operating a personal development business to become a recruitment consultant at SWITCH Education, combining her love for education with her passion for personal development.  

Her most recent roles included Organisational Development Consultant with the Department for Education and Human Resources Manager for EREA Oscar Romero Schools Network, along with 9 years at SWITCH Education as the Lead Talent Acquisition Consultant. She has a demonstrated ability for strategic thinking and a strong desire to assist school communities reach their full potential.   

Rowena is recognised as a passionate advocate for the personal and professional development of the education workforce, bringing self-awareness, mindfulness, emotional intelligence and adaptability to her role. An education expert with resilience, a “no task too tall” attitude, flows into project management and mentoring of staff within the specific industry of education. Acknowledged by others as having the drive and desire to see others succeed within the industry by supporting and mentoring their growth.  

Rowena is highly regarded and recognised for her ability to establish warm and effective working relationships with stakeholders at every level.  

Dr Michael Boots

Dr. Michael Boots LinkedIn Logo

International Executive Search Consultant

Dr Michael Boots is a seasoned educational leader with over 25 years of experience leading schools across Brazil, Indonesia, Kuwait, and Australia. From 2021 to 2024, Michael served as the Assistant Principal (Deputy) of Learning and Innovation at Loreto College. Prior to that, he was the School Principal at the International School of Curitiba in Brazil from 2014 to 2020 and the Associate Principal of Middle School at Jakarta International School from 2007 to 2014. 

Michael is passionate about finding the right fit for organisations through a collaborative approach, offering inspirational leadership, and supporting the ongoing growth of both himself and others. He believes in contemporary and innovative educational practices and has a strong track record of developing professional relationships. His extensive international network and board governance experience, including his role as a board member for AMISA, highlight his commitment to strategic planning and leadership in education. With K-12 teaching and leadership experience across four continents, Michael is dedicated to creating strong, supportive, and innovative learning environments. 

Matt

Matt Linn LinkedIn Logo

Executive Education Leader

Matt is an experienced education leader and Executive Consultant at Aspire2 Education.

With a career spanning school leadership, system consulting, and global education strategy, Matt brings a deep understanding of what it takes to lead effectively across diverse contexts. As Head of Global Assessment at Janison, he led K-12 assessment programs across Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Taiwan, India, Europe, and the Americas – working closely with ministries, school systems, and education partners to deliver meaningful assessment and school improvement at scale.

Prior to this, Matt served as Principal Consultant with the SA Department for Education, supporting school leaders across South Australia to strengthen strategy, capability, and culture. He was also Head of Campus at Kangaroo Island Community Education – Australia’s Regional School of the Year for three consecutive years.

Matt holds a Master of Education in Educational Leadership from the University of South Australia. He is also the founder of Wadmore, a cognitive assessment platform designed to give schools meaningful insight into how students think and learn.

At Aspire2, Matt partners with schools and boards globally to find and develop exceptional leaders – not through traditional recruitment, but through a deeper understanding of context, culture, and fit. He is recognised for his strategic thinking, his genuine care for people, and his ability to align leadership to the needs of each school context.

Yvette

Yvette Windsor LinkedIn Logo

Client Liaison Officer

Yvette has a multifaceted career spanning education, administration, and project management. With a foundation as a dedicated primary school teacher in the ACT, Yvette brought her classroom expertise to higher education as a Work Integrated Learning Officer at Flinders University, skillfully placing pre-service teachers and engaging in educational technology projects. Her collaborative spirit and adaptability shone through as she coordinated events and projects, including the Mobile Learning Project and MOOC.  

Yvette’s transition to roles at Trades Recognition Australia and ACH Group demonstrated her prowess in data management and client support, offering advice and assistance to clients. Her positive and enthusiastic approach to work, coupled with a strong work ethic, reinforces her commitment to continual professional growth.  

As the Client Liaison Officer at Aspire2, Yvette plays a pivotal role in ensuring efficient consultant team operations and maintaining client relationships, underpinned by her versatile skills and unwavering dedication.