There’s always a sense of anticipation when a new face appears in the staff room, especially when that person brings a wealth of experience and a fresh perspective to the Senior Support Team.
Who is she, and what journey has brought her here?
Mrs Phebe Cho steps into her role as Head of People for SCEA – Interim, bringing over two decades of recruitment and leadership expertise, honed through working for global search firms and managing high-level executive placements.
But for her, recruitment is more than simply placing candidates—it is a calling.
Born in Singapore and raised in Perth, Phebe is a Pastor’s Kid (P.K.). She spent much of her youth trying to run from her faith and family, and that journey took her to Sydney, where she began her career in fashion retail management.
Like many, she stumbled into the world of recruitment.
Frustrated, after six months of meeting with recruiters who defined her only by what she had done, rather than who she was becoming, she eventually landed at Hays, where she spent over a decade refining her craft.
When she finally stopped running from God (a story she promises for another day) and surrendered to His will, she launched Accelus.
Built on the belief that every individual is created for good—hardwired, shaped, and designed to contribute meaningfully through their best work, Accelus became more than a business; it is a reflection of Phebe’s calling.
Over the years, God has continued to widen her vision. He has opened doors for her to bring her corporate expertise to serve the wider church, deepening her burden for reframing “Missions” and expanding her imagination for what is possible.
Now, as she steps into her role at SCEA, Phebe sees it as yet another chapter in the story God has been writing all along—an opportunity perfectly prepared for her to step into, where her skills, experience, and faith intersect in a way that transforms.
What’s the vision for the People Team?
Phebe’s leadership at SCEA is about far more than recruitment; it’s about shaping a workforce that reflects both faith and excellence.
She sees the sector-wide educator shortage not as just a challenge but as an opportunity to respond as a deeply Christian organisation.
She is most excited about the opportunity to integrate SCEA’s inspired mission into every part of its people strategy, as it invites talented Christian professionals who faithfully seek to use their gifts, talents, and experience to live out the gospel through their vocation.
Phebe has been profoundly inspired by Micah 4, which speaks of “The mountain of the Lord.”
This passage shapes her vision for creating a workplace culture that draws people in, where Christian professionals come not just for a job, but for a deeper purpose.
Her prayer is that as SCEA faithfully builds its people strategy on gospel principles, others in the sector will be drawn to inquire, to witness the impact of a faith-driven workforce, and in doing so, encounter the transformative power of God.
Do you have any 12-month goals for the new People team?
Currently, a people team of one.
First stop – recruiting a People team, which shouldn’t be too hard for a recruiter!
Stay tuned for updates on recruitment initiatives, internal staffing strategies, and the ongoing mission to shape a workforce that reflects the light and love of Christ.
