About Us
Edvance Consulting & Associates is an education advisory practice built by school leaders, for school leaders.
Our Story
Edvance Consulting & Associates was established by experienced school leaders who recognised a gap in the practical, on the ground support available to school principals and leadership teams. After decades of combined experience across NSW government, Catholic and independent school systems, we set out to build an advisory practice that delivers the kind of support we wished we had access to.
We bring together frontline school leadership experience, clinical insight, governance expertise and a deep understanding of the systems and pressures that shape school life.
The Edvance Mission
Our core purpose is to advance education through evidence, integrity and innovation. We exist to support school leaders with practical frameworks and collaborative partnerships that strengthen practice and improve outcomes for students and staff.
Evidence Informed
Every recommendation we make is grounded in research, data and the current evidence base. We align our services to government priorities and sector frameworks.
Integrity Led
We operate with transparency, honesty and ethical leadership. Our advice is independent and always in the best interest of schools and their communities.
Collaborative
We work alongside school leaders, not above them. Our solutions are co-designed, tailored to context and built for sustainability.
Practical First
Theory matters, but implementation matters more. We focus on what works in practice and deliver advice that can be acted on immediately.
Our Team
Nathan Eldred
Co-Founder • Digital Innovation Lead
Nathan is an assistant principal and education policy specialist with extensive experience in conflict resolution, organisational culture and online safety. As a Master of Artificial Intelligence candidate, he brings together frontline school leadership with deep capability in AI systems, governance and digital risk design. Nathan leads the design of Edvance's analytics, digital tools and online safety education.
Vanessa Lahoud
Co-Founder • Principal Consultant
Vanessa is an education leader with more than 25 years' experience across the NSW Department of Education, Catholic Schools NSW and Independent Schools NSW. She has led statewide portfolios in health, safety, staff wellbeing and complex feedback and complaints handling, partnering with unions, regulators and systems to deliver large scale, evidence based change.
Associate Network
Specialist Practitioners and Advisors
Edvance works with a trusted associate network of specialist practitioners across organisational psychology, staff wellbeing, behaviour and learning, research and evaluation, and frontline leadership support. Associates are engaged on projects where their particular skills match your context and needs.
Our Approach
Edvance delivers support through a structured, collaborative process designed to meet schools where they are.
Evidence Based
All our work is grounded in current research, data and the evidence base. We draw on government strategies, sector frameworks and peer reviewed publications.
Collaborative and Tailored
We co-design solutions with school leaders, not for them. Every engagement is tailored to your school's context, policies and needs.
Aligned to Policy and Legislation
Our advice is always aligned to existing policies, legislation and governance requirements. We help you interpret and implement sector guidelines practically.
Cross Sector Experience
We work across government, Catholic and independent schools, bringing a broad perspective and deep understanding of the different systems and contexts.
Work with Us
Do you consider yourself an expert in one of our service areas? We are always interested in connecting with experienced practitioners who share our commitment to evidence informed, ethical school advisory work.
If you have deep expertise in staff wellbeing, complaints management, learning support, online safety or a related area and would like to explore joining our associate network, we would like to hear from you.
Reviews and Case Studies
Success stories from schools that have been supported by Edvance, including feedback from principals, staff and leadership teams.
Coming soon
We are currently compiling case studies and testimonials from our initial engagements. Check back soon.