Profile
“My strongest professional quality is my ability to build trust and long-term relationships, whether with clients, colleagues, or stakeholders”
Danny Ibrahim,
KeyRate Mortgage
Mandi Randell is the principal of Central West Leadership Academy. After beginning her career back home in the US, she taught in Sydney for 10 years before being inspired to fill the gap in regional service and achievement for gifted children in Australia. This led to her setting up the academy, affording students in Dubbo, NSW greater prospects and a high-quality education program.
“Regional students deserve the same opportunities but have to overcome great barriers to access them,” Randell says. “I am determined to ensure that living in Dubbo is not a disadvantage for my students.”
The vision was to create a non-denominational K–12 school for high-potential students and its success has been the culmination of seven years of work.
One of Randell’s significant achievements has been to bring the International Baccalaureate (IB) to the school for Years 11 and 12. “It’s not well known in this area, so building understanding and support for the program has been a challenge,” she explains.
“Bringing the IB will impact global mindedness in our students as Dubbo is a regional skilled migrant zone and about 35% of our school was born overseas. We want to build leaders who can thrive beyond just a regional setting, who have the social and emotional capacities that will enable their academic strengths to make them able to be critical thinkers and leaders in whatever community they choose to live in.”
Part of Randell’s mission is to provide her students with the confidence and strength to become leaders in their own right. To achieve this, the school places the same importance on social and emotional learning as academic progress. She says, “I want students from Dubbo to see themselves as worthy of being in every room and having a seat at every table where decisions are made that impact their communities.”
Standout measures of success include the following:
highest NAPLAN averages in NSW west of the Blue Mountains for all year groups over a three-year period
third and fourth place teams at the International Future Problem Solving Finals for Community Problem Solving 2023
Another sign of the school’s success is that families and professionals are now choosing to remain in the area because of the quality of education. This will have a compound effect on Dubbo and the wider region.
“We need excellence and change now for the talented students sitting in our classes today,” Randell says. “For regional growth and to address massive skill shortages in our regional and rural communities, we need to grow a generation of skilled professionals such as doctors, lawyers, engineers, teachers, etc., to fill skill gaps so that we can sustain our regional communities. Australia’s economic future depends on our regions thriving.”
As a committed leader, Randell lives and breathes the school’s values. She also doesn’t shy away from being hands-on and leading from the front. “I walk the journey with teachers,” she says. “I lead the professional learning; I collaborate with teachers and executive staff on data, direction and student improvement. I am as much on the dancefloor as I am in the balcony.”
8 George St, Dubbo, NSW 2830
2 6882 4216
mandi@theacademy.nsw.edu.au
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mandi-randell-17234723a/?originalSubdomain=au
theacademy.nsw.edu.au
Mandi Randell
Principal
Central West Leadership Academy
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Milestones
“I’ve always believed that if you love what you do, you’ll never settle, and that attitude has guided every decision I’ve made”
Danny Ibrahim,
KeyRate Mortgage
2008–2014
2014−2017
2023
2024
Present
Assistant Head of English at Newington College
2008–2014
Director of Teaching and Learning at Macquarie Anglican Grammar School
2014–2017
Dubbo Business Chamber Outstanding Business Leader
2023
TE’s Hot List
2024
Principal at Central West Leadership Academy since 2017
Education Excellence Regional School of the Year, Best Strategic Plan
Present
Assistant Vice President and Senior Broker at MJ Hall & Company since 2018
Present
Milestones
Aug 2022
Milestones
Sept 2021
Feb 2022
Apr 2022
Jul 2022
Aug
2022
Suncorp Bank introduces Solar Home Bonus offer for customers who are choosing renewable energy for their homes
Sept 2021
Month-on-month market share growth commences
Feb 2022
Suncorp Bank wins the Canstar award for most outstanding value in investment loans
Apr 2022
Suncorp Bank wins Money Magazine’s Bank of the Year and Business Bank of the Year awards for the fifth year in a row
Jul 2022
Suncorp Bank’s turnaround times are the lowest they have ever been. The lender becomes Australia’s first certified carbon neutral bank for both its operation and transaction services
Aug 2022
Milestones
As a founding member of WOW! (Women. Opportunity. Winning.), an employee resource group created for all women of Ryan Specialty, Phillips Topping has long championed for women in the industry.
“It’s very important to set an example and to not only inspire but mentor other females,” she adds.
In addition to her sharp marketing eye, the key to Phillips Topping’s success lies in her high-energy approach and positive attitude.
“As the leader of a team, it’s important to motivate and encourage your team members. People work very hard and do their best and it’s important to recognize these efforts. For my career overall, my attitude has been one of curiosity. The more you can learn, the better you’ll understand the business, and then the deeper your knowledge will become, making you a better team member.”
Chief underwriting officer of executive risk at Chubb
President of financial insurance solutions at Kemper
Chief underwriting officer at Axis Capital
CEO of global Insurance at Endurance
CEO of global Insurance at Sompo International
A significant part of his focus today is staying ahead of regulatory change while maintaining a seamless client experience. He tracks updates from regulators and lenders closely and works with his teams to adjust systems as needed.
“My approach to my role and my career has always been rooted in passion, focus, and a relentless pursuit of excellence,” he says. “I’ve never been driven solely by profit or business metrics. I believe in hiring great talent, trusting them, and pushing boundaries because innovation doesn’t come from playing it safe.”
His experience isn’t limited to Canada. Ibrahim has worked in the US and UAE, which shaped his global perspective and comfort with adapting to different markets. He thrives on risk, viewing setbacks as stepping stones to progress.
“I’ve always believed that if you love what you do, you’ll never settle, and that attitude has guided every decision I’ve made,” he adds.
That outlook continues to guide his work and reflects his broader goal of helping move the industry forward. Through his brokerage, lending company, and legal services, Ibrahim is focused on creating long-term value for his clients, his teams, and others working in the field.