Our Team
Our team is a rich melting pot of passionate, highly skilled professionals from diverse backgrounds and faiths.
Rabbi Zalman Kastel AM - Dean and Founder
Rabbi Kastel was raised in the ultra-orthodox Hasidic tradition in the racially divided Crown Heights area of Brooklyn, New York. He saw the world through the lens of his absolute tradition and the narrative of his community. This changed in 2001 when encounters with Christians and Muslims transformed him. Rabbi Kastel has had a lot of laughter, surprises and dilemmas on his journey of interfaith cooperation and bringing positive experiences of diversity to young Australians. He is still a Hasidic Rabbi teaching bible study at Chabad House North Shore in Sydney. He was ordained as a Rabbi after study in the UK, Australia and the US, and completed a Graduate Diploma in Education with the University of New England, Armidale. In 2020, he was made a Member of the Order of Australia in recognition of his work on interfaith and intercultural understanding.
Annette Schneider - Chief Executive Officer
Annette has over 20 years’ experience in educational leadership, here in Australia and abroad. Beginning her career as a teacher, she then moved to values-based education and management roles at Glencree Centre for Peace and Reconciliation, UNICEF, the Council of Europe Youth Directorate and Amnesty International. Based in Europe for many years, she returned to Australia and taught in classrooms across Sydney before joining Together For Humanity. Annette holds a Masters in Intercultural Education and a double Bachelors in Education and Arts (International Studies). Living and working in diverse communities around the globe, and from a mixed cultural background herself, Annette has lived experience of the importance of intercultural education and dialogue. At home, she has three young activists holding her to account, ensuring that she’s working towards a world where diversity is embraced, and everyone treats each other with dignity and respect.
Ben Thurley - Education Manager
Ben is an educator and advocate, passionate about contributing to a more just, sustainable and compassionate world. Born in Tasmania, he now lives in Sydney, father of two wonderful young men. Ben has worked as a school teacher in culturally diverse schools and supporting young people with mental health problems. For most of the last 20 years, he has worked with organisations in both Australia and Nepal, focused on community development, public health programs, and advocacy on issues of global justice and environmental sustainability. Ben loves singing as part of a choir, reading, writing, listening to music, taking long and rambling walks, and enjoys exploring hidden and underground spaces – although he may deny this if asked.
Kate Xavier - Professional Learning Lead
Kate is the Professional Learning Lead at TFH where she is passionate about supporting teachers and school communities foster inclusive school environments that enhance belonging for all. Kate has worked with school communities delivering professional learning and consultancy support to develop whole-school approaches to belonging, resilience and respect in her previous role at the Association of Independent Schools of NSW. A NESA Accredited teacher, she taught Human Society and its Environment (HSIE), specialising in Studies of Religion for 15 years. Her interests include anti-racism education, countering far-right extremism, fostering student voice and culturally responsive pedagogies. Kate is committed to community building and fostering interfaith solidarity. Kate is Chair of the Interfaith Commission, a member of the NSW Faith Affairs Council, and a member of the Abraham Conference organising committee.
Dr. Bo Hu - National School Partnerships Manager
Dr. Bo Hu is the National School Partnerships Manager at TFH. Bo is passionate about equipping young people and educators with skills to navigate the complexities of today’s world. At TFH, he oversees the Intercultural Understanding Partnership Program, supporting school communities with projects that address cross-cultural challenges. Before joining TFH, Bo was Education Programs Coordinator for the Asia Education Foundation at the University of Melbourne. He authored the Environment Scan of Intercultural Understanding (2020-2022) commissioned by the Department of Education South Australia, and was the principal researcher for the Department of Education Victoria’s Sister School Partnerships review. He has a decade of experience teaching Chinese in school and tertiary settings in Australia and the UK, and previously trained as a broadcast journalist. Bo holds a PhD in Education. His doctoral research explored the multilingual experiences and identity positioning of Australian-born Chinese children.
Andrea Hogg - Education Officer
Andrea has a passion for education, administration and business management. She has extensive experience as a secondary Business Education teacher and as a tertiary enabling course lecturer. Andrea has held a variety of administration, coordination and leadership roles, including Head of Department. Andrea worked as Chaplaincy Coordinator for UnitingCare Queensland where she coordinated projects and supported the work of aged care and hospital chaplains. She holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Education, and is working towards a Graduate Certificate in Business Administration. Andrea explored her journey as a caring teacher through an autoethnographic paper, published in the International Studies in Widening Participation Journal in 2021. Based in Queensland, Andrea enjoys music, movies, reading and spending time with her husband and two young children.
Calisha Bennett - Education Program Coordinator
Calisha Bennett is an educator with Together for Humanity and within the Muslim community in Australia. She is also an international speaker who has spent almost two decades educating communities about issues associated with identity, confidence, resilience and the Islamic faith. She has worked closely with countless women and youth through her education and consulting business, and regularly collaborates with many community charities and organisations as a facilitator and speaker.
Margaret Hepworth - Victorian Education Coordinator
Margaret is a vibrant educator and communicator. She has been Head of House at Caulfield Grammar School, Head of Campus at Preshil School, Executive Officer at Initiatives of Change Australia, and is Founder of the peace education initiative, The Gandhi Experiment. She brings the principles and values of ethical leadership, inclusivity, belonging, conflict transformation and intercultural understanding in an engaging and constructive way. Author of The Gandhi Experiment, Teaching our Teenagers how to become Global Citizens, and Collaborative Debating, and creator of the Positive Reality methodology, Margaret has a passion for teaching creativity and critical thinking. Margaret has worked with thousands of students and teachers and as a keynote speaker across Australia, India, Pakistan, Indonesia and China. The recipient of a Sir John Monash Award for Inspirational Women’s Leadership and an IABC Community Achievement Excellence Award, Margaret believes wholeheartedly in fostering interconnectedness and humanity.
Tanja Hagedorn - Queensland Education Coordinator
Tanja has over 20 years’ experience in health, youth development, community and volunteer engagement in the US, South Africa and Australia. A skilled facilitator and mediator, she is committed to building inclusive processes in community settings, with a special interest in interfaith and intercultural dialogue. Her experience as a facilitator confirms her belief in the transformation of individuals, families and communities through authentic dialogue, creative and spiritual processes and quality education. She is passionate about challenging biases and societal norms, encouraging critical thinking and empowering people to use their voice to journey through conflict to find peaceful and lasting resolutions. Tanja loves travelling, reading historical fiction and spending time with her husband and three children. When she has a moment to herself, you can find her sweating in her local community boxing gym.
Josh Ahmat - Indigenous Education Officer
As a proud Torres Strait Islander man with connections to Badu and Erub Islands, Josh is passionate about improving educational outcomes for mob first, and all young people, regardless of cultural heritage or faith background. With a lived experience deeply rooted in his Christian faith, identity as an Indigenous man, and having spent the last eight years in education, Josh has a profound commitment to humanity. He has an unwavering passion for transforming educational landscapes, fostering inclusivity and bridging gaps in learning outcomes beyond the borders of culture, faith or worldview. Through the lens of education, Josh stands for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people and teachers for a brighter, more inclusive future for all.
Richard Leo - National Research Coordinator
Richard is the National Research Coordinator for Together For Humanity, based in Brisbane, Queensland. A former Head of Humanities, he is a lifelong educator having taught Modern Languages (Indonesian and French), English, Geography and History in schools across Tasmania, South Australia and Queensland for nearly 20 years. Prior to joining Together For Humanity, he was a Lecturer in the tertiary sector as a pre-service teacher educator for over a decade. In addition to his role at Together For Humanity, he works in research in the Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Engagement) at the University of Queensland.
Nicky Sandler - Head of Communications
Nicky is a professional communicator whose areas of expertise span marketing, communications and writing. She has over 15 years’ experience designing marketing and communication strategies, managing large scale projects and producing compelling content. A passionate teacher, Nicky has taught communications and management at several universities as well as English as a Second Language. Nicky holds a Bachelor of Arts (English and French), Masters in Communication Management, Cambridge CELTA and Certificate IV in TESOL. She is inspired by working with bold organisations and crafting authentic, engaging stories that touch people. Bilingual in French, Nicky loves French language and fromage in equal measure.
Rianna Burgess - Executive Assistant
Rianna is an experienced, highly skilled Executive Assistant and administration professional. New to the not-for-profit space, she brings a wealth of administrative, technical and systems management experience, having worked in senior administration roles in the corporate environment for many years. Rianna relishes the opportunity to support and contribute towards Together For Humanity’s growth and enhance interfaith and intercultural understanding. Her calm and measured approach is integral to the smooth running of Together For Humanity.