• Non Traditional Partnerships • Digital Marketing • Development | Board Co-Chair
George is a passionate customer engagement professional with strong commercial and strategic acumen. He has a wealth of executive experience in diverse roles across marketing, customer engagement, finance, M&A and strategy, gained in the retail, entertainment, postal and banking sectors.
Previously with David Jones where he was responsible for direct and digital marketing, customer insights, loyalty and customer relationship management. Prior to David Jones, George worked for Woolworths where he led teams responsible for innovative growth portfolios, including Everyday Rewards, Woolworth Insurance and Woolworth Mobile.
George has a First Class Honours degree in Business Studies from Dublin City University, is a chartered accountant, and is a member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development.
Governance| Policy| Legal | Board Secretary
Sarah is a lawyer with deep experience in legislation policy and governance across State Government and not for profit organisations. Armed with a executive Masters of Public Administration Sarah has senior level bureaucratic and government experience including as Director Legal Policy and Executive Services for Emergency Management Victoria. Moving to the Central Coast and wanting to be part of the positive change for authentic inclusion and a fun place to work, live and play. Free time? Bring on sewing, woodwork and Bike ridies around the Peninsula.
Innovator • Producer • Data driven & People Focused | Board Co-Chair
As Senior Advisor, Innovation, data & analytics @ Qantas Airlines , Juan has successfully combined major Project & Program delivery for 11 years.
Juan's passion for innovative sustainable solutions creating measurable and positive improvement through creativity, people & technology has seen him achieve the highest Qantas accolades as an eXcel award winner.
A results oriented change agent with an outstanding background in CX, CI & innovation Juan is also a produced playwright and published Author (Pen name) also co-writer on 2 award winning Fringe Festival shows 2016 – 2018.Co
Executive Director | Influencer | Strategic Adviser
Marie Patane is currently Executive Director Enterprise
Security for Sydney Metro. A recognised leader in the
areas of Security, Business Continuity, Risk analysis and
Crisis Management.
2022 Australian Outstanding Security Performance
Awards (OSPA), 2021 AWSN winner of Australia’s Most Outstanding Women in Protective Security, 2019 winner of the Business Continuity Institute’s Continuity and Resilience Professional
With extensive experience in highly regulated sectors, Marie combines commercial acumen with a focus on enabling premium customer experiences. A range of qualifications in both technical
and leadership fields and is a sought-after speaker for
industry conferences and panels. With a home a the Entrance and a passion for equity, arts and postive change Marie brings a weatlh of expertise to the group.
Craig was appointed Director of Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre (CPAC) in 2016 and is also the Manager of the Liverpool City Council Major Events Team.
He managed Marketing & Communications for Sydney Film Festival for seven years including the 16 regional events under the Travelling Film Festival banner prior to his current role.
Before that Craig spent 11 years at Sydney Opera House in the Producers Unit, a team that developed new programs, festivals and special events which broadened the SOH cultural offering and audience base, from the legendary Studio program to festivals including Vivid, Message Sticks and more.
Craig began his career at the ABC in 1986 as a Broadcaster, leading to twelve years working as a Producer and Executive Producer at youth radio network Triple J, including some stints with other ABC radio outlets and ABC TV.
For more than four decades Craig has been a major contributor to Australia’s vibrant arts and culture scene. After mounting his first festival at age 18 he also pursued a parallel career to the above in the popular/alternative culture world, running club nights, dance parties, fashion parades and performance art events until 2020 when Covid shut the world down.
Jess McLeod is a seasoned leader with over 20 years’ experience across government, non-profit and private sectors. As a Director within Transport for NSW’s regional team, she excels in managing political and emerging issues, implementing policies/procedures and driving continuous improvement. Jess is a dynamic professional known for her expertise in communications, stakeholder engagement and change/project management. Her strong persuasive and interpersonal skills contribute to the success of initiatives aimed at achieving organisational goals and enhancing reputation. Jess proudly calls the Central Coast home and is passionate about equity, local community, and the arts. With a Masters in Business Administration and Masters in Project Management, she brings enthusiasm and energy to every aspect of her work and the workplace.
Multi Award winning Producer | Artist | Curator | Community Maker & Culture Shaker | Umina Beach
NSW WOMAN OF THE YEAR AWARD 2020 finalist, Australia’s Cult Pioneer of performance art Glitta Supernova has built her entire career on original, risk taking work & its possibilities to create positive change, culture and bring people together.
A multi-stream creative who has made a career challenging “the norm”, exposing societal taboo & homogenization of culture Glitta has been at the forefront of Queer, Counter & Fringe-culture performative art for over 20 years. Co-founding Australia’s first Burlesque club 2000-2010 “Gurlesque” (Multi Green Room nominated) . The “Gurlesque” formula, curation & format continues to be used in Variety, Burlesque & Queer, nights across the country with a legacy which speaks for itself.
Co-founder of “Pretty Peepers Cabaret” 2011-2015, home @ the then infamous Imperial Hotel (Priscilla Queen of the desert) and further expanding as a original “popup” touring performance art show across Australia’s major cities and regional areas “The Untraditional Cabaret” received multiple accolades as a multi award winning show.
Glitta has 2 co written and produced her 2 multi award winning one woman shows “Let’s get METAphysical” (2015- 2017) & “BODYMAP” (2016- 2018) also touring internationally (Best in Fringe, Best Cabaret, Most outstanding performer, Outstanding design).
As co-founder & Artistic Director of the Naughty Noodle Fun Haus in 2018 and armed with a motto of “Diversity as the Norm” Glitta is engaging Artist and Audience communities in a vision for authenticity & accessibility in a partnership of independent multidisciplinary events, festivals, convening’s and activations that shine a bright light on possibilities for adventurous, unorthodox productions through emerging and pioneering artists -building community & shifting perceptions, to reshape and expand our views of ourselves and our region.
Luke is a proud and successful Trangender Man currently completely his Social Work studies through the University of Newcastle and has received multiple college commendations for academic achievement. Also passionate about his work as an advocate for Young Carers through Carers NSW and for positive mental health and wellbeing for the upcoming younger generations across the Central Coast through Headspace (Youth Reference Group).Luke also enjoys spending his time as an AFL Umpire coach/mentor and enjoys training Muay Thai and competing in triathlons as well as utilising storytelling and workshop facilitation to support and improve overall wellbeing and social connectedness across the board whereLuke utelies his study, experience and networks as platforms to facilitate and promote a safe and supportive environment for our young people across the Central Coast.
Wagstaff based and with advertising and design experience for ethical brands such as National Geographic Channel, BBC Worldwide, NBC Universal, Frasers Hospitality and Government, Melissa brings a multitude of skill, talent & knowledge to the Naughty Noodle including our strength of multi stream branding.
Thoroughly passionate about providing visual platforms for Social Justice and Equality organisations to have the exposure and outreach they deserve. Melissa is also Director of the multi-faceted Caper Creative studio working across Print and Digital design, Brand Identity and Advertising.
Melissa’s dedication to equality for all human beings shines through to all of us who have the pleasure of working alongside her.
• Human Rights • Governance • Community Justice | Newcastle
Michelle has been appointed to multiple Legal Aid Panels (including the Complex Crime and Criminal Appellate Panels), management boards and committees of various Community Legal Centres, sporting organisations, University Governing Bodies and the NSW Bar Association.
Michelle is a long-standing member of the LGBTQI+ community & Barrister who has worked as a Public Defender both internationally (in the Solomon Islands as part of AusAid RAMSI project) and across Regional Australia as Managing Solicitor (Crime) and In-House Counsel of the Northern Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency (NAAJA).
Growing up & working in regional NSW, Michelle has a keen interest in bringing celebratory symbols & inclusion to all parts of Australia and is a passionate supporter of all things performative and theatrical.
• Choreographer • Dancer • Director • Writer • Creator
2018 – Nov 2019 | We bid farewell to Kim who has been an amazing champion & connector for the organisation in our 1st year of start up operation – thank you we love you and miss you already!
As a freelance choreographer and director, Kim has worked with major companies and directors in Australia including Opera Australia, Melbourne and Sydney Theatre Company, Richard Wherrett, Neil Armfield, Wayne Harrison and Roger Hodegman. Kim has also done extensive choreographic work for television commercials, musicals, corporate and charity launches and music film clips. A critically acclaimed career beginning with the Sydney Dance Company, Kim progressed onto appointment as a principal dancer from 1980 -1990, at which time Kim also simultaneously studied at a number of other companies including the Alvin Ailey School in New York.
As Artistic Director of the Flying Fruit Fly Circus Kim created a number of new and innovative works, and toured the company both nationally and internationally to great acclaim. Kim has served as a member of the Arts NSW on number of Boards, on the HotHouse Artistic Directorate and, the Theatre Board of the Australia Council for the Arts. Kim was also the individual recipient of the Sidney Myer individual award
• Activist • Community Builder • Influencer
| Umina Beach
An active & recognizable member of the Queer community. Former executive member of Sydney Leather Pride committee and co-owner of the former Karnal Leather, Jo was also nominated Leather Person of the Year. Member of Dykes on Bikes for over 10 years & has acted as Leather Pride Curator for the Artspace Leather exhibition.
A Gay Olympics representative with "Team Sydney" Jo has also represented Australia in Volleyball at the Gay Games and Outgames Amsterdam, Sydney, Montreal, & Cologne as well as represented Australia in the World Masters in Volleyball in Sydney & is currently Coaching Volleyball.
Passionate about youth, Jo has represented on multiple fronts from ACON sexual health campaigns to organising floats for multiple Mardi Gras Parades.
• Life time artist • Author • Community connector | Avoca Beach
Awarded the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for her Service to the Arts and the Central Coast Community. Nina was also in 2018 voted the 28th most influential person on the Central Coast for her work in Arts and Culture, and as a Human Rights campaigner having been a cultural activist on the Central Coast for over 40 years.
In 2017 Nina was awarded an Edna Ryan feminist award for her life’s work empowering women, sharing their stories through the arts as well as being awarded Australia Day Community Awards for her work in Communities and Culture. Nina is also recipient of "Governor of NSW Children’s Week Award" for her work with children in remote locations.
Make no mistake this is good ol' fashioned hard work, and as a regional registred arts & culture charity focused on social equity, human rights, authenic inclusion and visible diversity we could use your help! Be it your brain, your muscles, your hard earned cash, your community resources, your corporate finese there is opportunity to play a part in creativity, transformation and a happier, healthier Central Coast. Get in touch today
