Staff
Jaclyn Booton
— Executive Director
(Melbourne, Vic)
Jaclyn has over 15 years’ experience in the cultural sector, with a focus on the performing arts and literary events. She has held a range of senior and leadership roles with the Sydney Opera House, The Wheeler Centre, Circus Oz, Back to Back Theatre, and Arena Theatre Company. Jaclyn holds a BA (Hons) in Performance Studies and Gender Studies from the University of Sydney.
Daniela Baldry
— Program Manager
(Melbourne, VIC)
Daniela has worked for a range of arts venues and festivals over the last decade; most recently at the Sydney Writers’ Festival, as part of the programming team from 2017-2020. Prior to this they held roles at Sydney Opera House, Sydney Theatre Company and Sydney Film Festival. Daniela holds a BA in Communications (Theatre/Media) and a Masters in Education. She currently lives and works on unceded Wurundjeri Country.
Rebecca Slater
— Communications and Development Manager
(Melbourne, Vic)
Rebecca is an arts and publishing professional based in Melbourne. She has worked at a variety of organisations both in Australia and the UK including Allen & Unwin, Left Bank Literary, Belvoir St Theatre, Sydney Festival, and Southbank Centre. She is a passionate reader and active member of the emerging writers’ community in Australia.
Connor Tomas O’Brien
— Designer
(Melbourne, Vic)
Connor runs Studio Sometimes, a design studio devoted to working with non-profits, and was previously the Wheeler Centre’s Digital Content Producer and founder of the Digital Writers’ Festival.
Board
Keren Murray
— Chair
(Melbourne, Vic)
Keren is an experienced lawyer, policy advisor, and non-executive director. She is Principal of K Murray Consulting, a legal policy advisory service and was previously Principal Lawyer at the Law Institute of Victoria.
Claire Wivell Plater
— Deputy Chair
(Sydney, NSW)
Claire is an experienced non-executive director, lawyer and entrepreneur with a lifelong passion for literature and the arts. She chairs the boards of The Fold Legal and StatePlus and serves as a non-executive director of Youi and Athena Financial. She is also a member of PinchGut Opera’s Development Committee.
Dianne Cuka
— Treasurer
(Melbourne, Vic)
Dianne is an experienced tax professional and partner at EY, where she leads the Melbourne Private Clients Services Team. She is a member of the Australian Institute of Chartered Accountants, the Australian Society of Certified Practicing Accountants, and the Taxation Institute of Australia.
Abbey Burns
— Secretary
(Melbourne, Vic)
Abbey is a Senior Associate at Russell Kennedy Lawyers, specialising in workplace relations, employment and discrimination matters. She is also the Deputy Co-Convenor of the Russell Kennedy Women’s Network, and has provided pro-bono assistance to organisations in relation to sexual harassment in the workplace.
Nicole Freeman
(Sydney, NSW)
Nicole is a Senior Associate in the Corporate M&A team at Landerer & Company with broad-ranging experience in corporate and commercial matters. She is a member of the AGNSW Atelier Foundation and the JCA Jumpstart Committee, and previously served as a director of YWCA Australia, and as a committee member of NEXUS Australia.
Elly Gay
(Melbourne, VIC)
Elly is an education specialist with over 17 years experience in the Victorian public sector. She has taught secondary school English and history and spent most of her career working as a lawyer focusing on education and equality law issues. She now holds a senior leadership role overseeing school policy development and supporting principals in Victorian government schools.
Louise Jones
(Perth, WA)
Louise is a passionate advocate for literature and literacy, and a board member of Fremantle Press. She is also an enthusiastic co-host of the book-centric Diving In podcast. Louise is an experienced lawyer with over 20 years experience, and founder of The Write Business.
Elizabeth Shaw
(Perth, WA)
Elizabeth is a Partner at PwC, advising organisations on change, culture, diversity and inclusion. The former National President of UN Women Australia, Elizabeth is a passionate gender equality advocate and has worked across a number of industries to increase women’s representation. Elizabeth is a qualified lawyer and company director and sits on the Board of the Australian Inclusion Group.
Melissa Smith
(Sydney, NSW)
Melissa is Founder & CEO of Noble Ambition, an independent fundraising consultancy that works with organisational leadership, industry and government agencies in the for-purpose sector. A Churchill Fellow, Melissa has also achieved multiple awards including Australian Fundraiser Of The Year (FIA) and Global Fundraiser Of The Year (IFC).
