Stella is pleased to announce the appointment of Megan McCracken as Chair of the Board. McCracken assumes the role after Keren Murray stepped down from the organisation.

McCracken is based in Perth, WA, and is the past Chair of the National Association of Women in Operations (NAWO). In 2021, she won the Industry Advocate Category in the National Women in Industry Awards.

A fierce advocate for gender diversity, she has over 30 years’ experience in executive and non-executive director roles, leadership coaching and community work focussed on gender balance and equality. Over the last decade she mentored over 25 women with Women in Mining and Resources Western Australia, Mentor Walks and NAWO. McCracken is the co-founder of Extraordinary Women, a network of businesswomen from Perth, and co-founder of Festival Mavens, a social media channel that showcases authors, writers festivals and books across all genres.

Having grown up on the Great Southern region of Western Australia in a house full of books, McCracken has judged literary awards and has become a sought-after interviewer of authors and leadership experts. She is regularly programmed in book festivals and conferences.

McCracken said: “I’m honoured to be appointed Chair of Stella, a not-for-profit organisation that for over thirteen years has advocated for gender balance in the literary landscape in Australia. Stella has been the voice of change with its suite of programs, including the Stella Count and the Stella Prize. Stella is vital for the recognition of women and non-binary writers and for leaders in the creative arts to connect. With over 144 books nominated for the Prize since 2012 and over 1,000 people joining Stella’s public events in 2024, the organisation is well placed to advocate for a world in which the work of women and non-binary writers in all its breadth is equally valued, recognised and read.”

CEO and Executive Director of Stella, Fiona Sweet, said: “I’d like to welcome Megan to Stella. Her expertise in advocating for gender equality coupled with her passion for literature and gender equality will set the organisation for great success.

“On behalf of Stella, I want to acknowledge the incredible contributions that Keren Murray made during her tenure as both Chair and board member of Stella over the last seven years. Her leadership has brought a positive cultural change to the organisation and has allowed for new initiatives to expand.”

The Stella Board is Megan McCracken (Chair), Claire Wivell Plater (Deputy Chair), Mary Latham (Treasurer), Abbey Burns (Secretary), Michelle Cheng, Nicole Freeman, Elly Gay, Jamie Irawan, Louise Jones and Michelle Law.