Experience

Australian Tapestry Workshop

• United States
• Textile Manufacturing
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Chief Executive Officer

  • May 2023 - Present



Collingwood Yards

• Australia
• Artists and Writers
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Chief Executive Officer

  • May 2021 - May 2023

  Collingwood Yards is a precinct for creative industries in Melbourne's inner North. It supports 50 creative organisations as tenants. A range of vibrant spaces house galleries, collectives, a radio station, co-working, social enterprise, arts management, retail and hospitality. We are co-located with Music Market, a state-of-the-art venue for hire to the music industry and are led by our tenants, who bring performance and events to our beautiful site. We are creating a community of active participants in an alternative economy and we are delighted to see collaboration thriving inside and out into our diverse communities. Show less



City of Melbourne

• Australia
• Government Administration
• 700 & Above Employee

• • Apr 2019 - May 2021

  Within the Creative City team I strategically aligned programming across arts venues Arts House, Artplay and Signal. As General Manager for Arts House at North Melbourne Town Hall, I led a team of eighteen across a complex of spaces including a fully programmed theatre, production and development studios and five creative tenants and their businesses. I contributed to strategic direction for the Branch, engaged with colleagues throughout City of Melbourne and contributed to the creative ecology in Melbourne.I additionally took on the responsibilities of Director, Strategy for Creative City for a period of four months. This involved the creation of frameworks for creative spaces, (including housing and studios for artists) public art, and libraries. I contributed the Creative Economy component of the evolving Economic Development Strategy and input into the Council for Capital City Lord Mayors and the World Cities Creative Forum. Show less

• • Sep 2020 - Oct 2020

  I was seconded to lead this high performing team that plays a central role in the positioning of Melbourne as a knowledge hub for the Asia Pacific region. The Branch has now merged, so that the position is dissolved, however during my brief tenure I learned a great deal from skilled colleagues and am grateful for the opportunity to contribute at Director level to significant change at the City.



Australia Council for the Arts

• Australia
• Government Administration
• 1 - 100 Employee

• • Jul 2014 - Apr 2019

  My role at Australia Council (the Federal funding body for the arts in Australia ) involved creating opportunities for artists in all art forms. As a cultural diplomacy advocate I liaised with Ambassadors, Ministers and leaders of institutions across Europe. I spent three years in Berlin, one of my three key markets (the others being France and UK). I traveled extensively to produce projects that build the profile and impact for Australian artists in Europe and beyond. Highlights included the presentation of First Nations artists at Documenta and Liverpool Biennale, an Australia focus on 12 dance companies presenting in a major festival in Bruges, commissioning relationships with Brighton Festival, Theater der Welt, Edinburgh Festival and many others and participation in networks, conferences and policy platforms. My networks are dynamic, after 20+ years in the business and my working knowledge of the European arts and cultural sector is charged by constant research, conference attendance, project participation and involvement in high level strategic, diplomatic and political activity. Show less

• • Oct 2011 - Jun 2014

  I was Director of this collaboration initiative, based in Brussels for 18 months, before returning to Australia when the contract was transferred into an ongoing position at Australia Council. The high profile position involved advocacy and networking as well as curating a program of projects. I was elected to IETM's Advisory Board and provided strategic direction to Europe's largest and longest standing performing arts network. ietm.org



Gallus Arts Advisory

• Australia

• Director

  • Jun 2006 - Oct 2011

  I am the owner of my own consultancy Gallus Arts Advisory. I have worked with over 70 clients across Australia in a range of projects of diverse scales. From large scale consulting directly to government to support for organisations in arts, culture and third sector fields such as mental health advocacy and charities, I have offered strategic and business support. Government clients include City of Melbourne, Creative Victoria, Australia Council for the Arts, Arts Queensland and DEWHA. Arts clients include Malthouse Theatre, Melbourne Comedy Festival, Chunky Move, Back to Back Theatre, Arena Theatre, Windmill Theatre, Westside Circus, New Music Network, Australian Art Orchestra and Chamber Made Opera amongst others. I worked with ARC Linkage academics on submissions for funding, research and papers. I chaired Board and governance projects in festivals and with governments and arts companies. Show less



Critical Path, Sydney

• Sydney, Australia

• Director

  • Jan 2004 - Jun 2006

  I was the Founding Director of this new national dance research organisation and created the strategic plans and raised the funding for Critical Path to become a major national organisation. As well as devising the program of residencies, masterclasses and research projects with Australian artists, I invited international guests including Akram Khan, Wayne McGregor, Wim Vandekybus and others to engage with the local dance community. I established innovative projects such as a composer-choreographer exchange and initiated partnerships with diverse local, State and interstate bodies to create sustainability. I moved the organisation from The Wharf to its current home, a converted Heritage listed Drill Hall in Woollahra, overcoming initial resistance from resident associations through strong relationship building and partnership with the local Council. I bought and built the office furniture and laid the dance floor, hung the curtains and poured the wine at the opening events, whilst also networking with the Minister for the Arts and local government officials, high-powered donors and funders. Show less



British Council

• United Kingdom
• Non-profit Organizations
• 700 & Above Employee

• Drama and Dance Manager

  • Feb 2001 - Dec 2003

  I was part of the London based team of Drama and Dance experts, with leadership responsiblity for developing performing arts projects in 26 countries in Latin America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand in partnership with leading British arts companies. I produced projects and managed budgets across a complex range of contexts, working with cross-cultural teams and innovating with new forms of cultural diplomacy and arts delivery. I was part of the London based team of Drama and Dance experts, with leadership responsiblity for developing performing arts projects in 26 countries in Latin America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand in partnership with leading British arts companies. I produced projects and managed budgets across a complex range of contexts, working with cross-cultural teams and innovating with new forms of cultural diplomacy and arts delivery.



Roundhouse Trust

• United Kingdom
• Performing Arts
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Creative Centre Director

  • Feb 2000 - Feb 2001

  I was the founding Director of the Creative Education Program at this iconic London arts centre, at the earliest stages of its major renovation program. I created a strategy and delivered a programme in consultation with stakeholders from social, political, education and arts sectors. I created the vision for creative studios in the undercroft of the Heritage site and produced the first creative projects in these spaces and the main building and external sites. I engaged with the Social Inclusion vision of the centre, working directly with Roundhouse Board members including Tom Bentley of DEMOS. I mentored young people and developed culturally diverse staff. Show less



Canary Wharf Group

• United Kingdom
• Real Estate
• 300 - 400 Employee

• Director

  • Jun 1999 - Feb 2000

  I programmed and produced arts events in Europe's largest business park located within a deprived local community. I produced an outdoor short film festival, a large scale dance and music event, a British-Chinese arts festival and popular entertainment projects such as comedy and street art in conjunction with a range of partners such as Greenwich and Docklands Festival, random dance company and London Transport. I programmed and produced arts events in Europe's largest business park located within a deprived local community. I produced an outdoor short film festival, a large scale dance and music event, a British-Chinese arts festival and popular entertainment projects such as comedy and street art in conjunction with a range of partners such as Greenwich and Docklands Festival, random dance company and London Transport.



Random Dance Company Limited

• United Kingdom
• Performing Arts

• Executive Producer

  • Jul 1997 - Jun 1999

  I transformed this project funded contemporary dance company to a leading international organisation. I initiated partnerships with new stakeholders in government, commerce, philanthropy and education. I tripled turnover and created long-term sustainability through the establishment of good governance and a compelling strategic vision. I developed international touring and high profile commissions with diverse arts and city partners. I transformed this project funded contemporary dance company to a leading international organisation. I initiated partnerships with new stakeholders in government, commerce, philanthropy and education. I tripled turnover and created long-term sustainability through the establishment of good governance and a compelling strategic vision. I developed international touring and high profile commissions with diverse arts and city partners.



Bupa

• United Kingdom
• Hospitals and Health Care
• 700 & Above Employee

• Marketing Manager

  • Sep 1994 - Sep 1995

  I managed a large budget and dispersed sales team for the European division of this leading health insurance provider. I undertook a major redesign of all European corporate literature and devised the marketing strategy for BUPA's new Italian operation. I managed a large budget and dispersed sales team for the European division of this leading health insurance provider. I undertook a major redesign of all European corporate literature and devised the marketing strategy for BUPA's new Italian operation.



Diageo

• United Kingdom
• Beverage Manufacturing
• 700 & Above Employee

• Assistant Brand Manager

  • Jul 1992 - Sep 1994

  I was one of 20 international graduates selected for fast-track management training. First year in Eastern Europe, 6 months in UK sales, promoted to UK Marketing. Worked with Brand Manager across the marketing mix for multi-million selling Gordon's Gin. Led on rebranding, cinema advertising and direct marketing initiatives. Solely responsible for optimising production and marketing of Sloe Gin and bringing to market G & T in a Can. I was one of 20 international graduates selected for fast-track management training. First year in Eastern Europe, 6 months in UK sales, promoted to UK Marketing. Worked with Brand Manager across the marketing mix for multi-million selling Gordon's Gin. Led on rebranding, cinema advertising and direct marketing initiatives. Solely responsible for optimising production and marketing of Sloe Gin and bringing to market G & T in a Can.