nikki james

Nikki James is a proud Yorta Yorta woman, cultural educator and advocate for sharing First Nations knowledge and connection to Country. Nikki works across community, education and cultural engagement, helping people better understand the stories, history and living culture of the Yorta Yorta people.

SOPHIE LIEBERMAN

Sophie Lieberman PhD GAICD is a strategic advisor, cultural leader and founder of REGENERATE. With more than 20 years’ experience across Australia’s major cultural institutions, including ACMI, Sydney Living Museums and the Australian Museum, she works with organisations to navigate change, strengthen purpose and create greater public value through culture, creativity and community engagement.

meaghan burkett – centre for community capital

Meaghan Burkett is a strategist, facilitator and community capital practitioner with expertise in community wealth building, place-based development and regenerative economies. Through her work with the Centre for Community Capital, she supports communities, councils and organisations to design locally led approaches that build resilience, economic participation and long-term community wellbeing.

jo porter – ceo, regional arts victoria

Jo Porter is Chief Executive Officer of Regional Arts Victoria and one of Australia’s most respected cultural leaders. Her career spans leadership roles across Australia, the UK and the USA, including Malthouse Theatre and the Queen Victoria Women’s Centre. Jo is a passionate advocate for the role of arts and culture in strengthening regional communities and fostering participation, creativity and connection.

bess nolan-cook – ceo, tourism north east

Bess Nolan-Cook is Chief Executive Officer of Tourism North East. With a background in marketing, communications and major events, Bess is passionate about destination development, place storytelling and bringing people together to achieve meaningful outcomes.

simon grant – curator, benalla street art festival

Simon Grant is the founder of Wonderwalls and Creative Director of the Benalla Street Art Festival. Working at the intersection of art, place and community, Simon collaborates with artists, councils and local communities to deliver impactful public art projects that strengthen regional identity, activate public spaces and inspire community pride. Through his work, he champions the role of creativity in shaping memorable and vibrant places

alice henchion-grant – general manager, renew australia

Alice Henchion-Grant is General Manager of Renew Australia, a national social enterprise focused on creative placemaking and community revitalisation. With extensive experience in project delivery, space activation, partnerships and community renewal, Alice works with communities across Australia to transform underutilised spaces into vibrant places that support creativity, enterprise and connection.

jessica bridgfoot – director, bendigo art gallery

Jessica Bridgfoot is Director of Bendigo Art Gallery and Chair of ICOM Australia. A visual arts leader and curator, she has played a key role in the Gallery’s continued growth as one of Australia’s leading regional cultural institutions. Jessica is passionate about creating transformative cultural experiences and strengthening the role of galleries in regional communities and tourism.

danny lacy – artistic director, shepparton art museum

Danny Lacy is Artistic Director of Shepparton Art Museum (SAM) and President of the Public Galleries Association of Victoria. Over a 25-year career he has led major public galleries and contemporary art organisations across Victoria. Danny is recognised for his leadership in regional arts, curatorial practice and community-focused cultural programming.

eric nash – director, benalla art gallery

Eric Nash is Director of Benalla Art Gallery. An arts professional, curator and writer, Eric has extensive experience across Australia’s public gallery sector and is a strong advocate for the role of galleries as places of creativity, learning, tourism and community connection. He has led Benalla Art Gallery since 2019.  

anne robertson – executive officer, public galleries association of victoria

Anne Robertson is Executive Officer of the Public Galleries Association of Victoria (PGAV), the peak body representing Victoria’s public gallery sector. Through her work with galleries across metropolitan and regional Victoria, Anne supports advocacy, professional development and sector leadership, helping strengthen the contribution galleries make to communities and cultural life. 

Penny whitehead – business development manager, benalla art gallery foundation

craig a.limkin psm – executive board, a new approach

Craig Limkin is the Executive Board Member of A New Approach (ANA), Australia’s national arts and culture think tank. He is a prominent Australian public sector executive who served as the Secretary of the Department of State Growth in Tasmania and the Chief Executive Officer of the Tasmanian Development and Resources Board. He has a strong record in providing strategic leadership, delivering results and leading significant change. Prior to his service in Tasmania, Craig made extensive contributions to Australia’s cultural landscape, including overseeing a historic $2.5 billion cultural infrastructure pipeline in NSW. Craig’s deep commitment to public administration and public-good infrastructure earned him the prestigious Public Service Medal (PSM).