Celebrating excellence: OneSchool Global leaders shine at Women in Leadership Awards

On 19 November, the Liquid Learning Women in Leadership Awards brought together Australia’s most inspiring leaders at Crown Sydney. The awards celebrate women who demonstrate exceptional leadership, innovation, and influence – driving change and shaping the future.

Three OneSchool Global leaders were recognised as finalists:

• Mary Baxter, National Director of Teaching and Learning – Secondary (AU)
• Julie Murray, National Director of Teaching and Learning – Primary (AU)
• Sarah McCarthy, Global Head of Communications

We are proud to announce that Mary Baxter won her category, a testament to her outstanding leadership and impact.

About the awards

The judges looked for concrete examples of excellence in four areas:

• Strategic thinking – foresight, critical decision-making, and organisational alignment
• Innovation and impact – creative strategies, measurable outcomes, and meaningful change
• People influence and development – mentoring, coaching, and fostering growth and inclusivity
• Navigating challenges – overcoming adversity while keeping teams engaged and motivated.

Our finalists and winner

Mary Baxter – Winner
Mary led the alignment of the OneSchool Global’s Australia national Years 7–12 curriculum across 31 campuses, focusing on empowering others to lead. Her mentorship transformed team dynamics, strengthened collaboration, and improved teacher confidence by 28%. Mary’s ability to unlock leadership potential created a ripple effect across the network, shaping future leaders and driving systemic change.

Julie Murray – Finalist
Julie united 31 independent campuses into one connected national Australian primary network, delivering a four-year strategy built on alignment, empowerment, feedback, equity, and connection. Julie achieved remarkable results: student outcomes improved by up to 47%, and teacher confidence soared. Her leadership fostered trust, collaboration, and a culture of continuous improvement.

Sarah McCarthy – Finalist
As OneSchool Global’s first Global Head of Communications, Sarah transformed communications into a strategic function. Her team has launched a global brand refresh and new website, built a proactive PR program, introduced governance frameworks, and reimagined Perfect Pitch into a global, televised-style event connecting 120 campuses, delivering 27,500 microsite visits, 200+ media stories, and recognition as a Top 3 finalist in the Australian Event Awards – all while fostering a culture of trust and growth within her team.

Celebrating leadership

These achievements reflect the strength of leadership within OneSchool Global. Mary, Julie, and Sarah exemplify the values of vision, collaboration, and resilience. Their recognition on a national stage reinforces our commitment to excellence and innovation in education.

Congratulations to Mary Baxter on her win, and to all three finalists for representing OneSchool Global with distinction.