The Big Black Orange Book
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Arts & Culture
Amy Hollingsworth
Australasian Dance Collective
Artistic Director
Amy Hollingsworth is a multi award-winning dancer and director, based in Brisbane and was described by the UK Observer as one of ‘the most compelling and intelligent dancers on the world stage’. With an impressive international performance and creative career spanning large-scale classical ballet and contemporary dance, Amy is a highly versatile director of dance. She has produced, collaborated on and performed in a wide range of live art collaborations, collectively driven independent work, film, documentaries, art gallery instillations and large-scale music videos and tours. Amy is also a sought-after keynote speaker, industry mentor and creative consultant with a deep interest in cybernetics.
Arts & Culture
Renai Grace BA
Queensland Museum Network
Executive Director – Museums and Engagement
Renai has dedicated her career to raising awareness of the impact of creativity to connect and inspire communities and create vibrant cities. Renai has worked with many of Queensland’s leading cultural institutions including Museum of Brisbane, Artisan, Arts Queensland and QAGOMA. She is also a Board member of Of One Mind (Women of the World Festival) and committee member of the Australian Museums and Galleries Association, Queensland (AMaGAQ).
Arts & Culture
Stephanie Kelly Gordine
Affordable Art Fair
Managing Director, Asia Pacific & Australia Fair Director for Affordable Art Fair
Stephanie Kelly Gordine is the Asia Pacific MD and Australia Fair Director for Affordable Art Fair. Stephanie is creative leader, culture vulture and number nerd with 20 years experience in building brands. She began her career in healthcare marketing in New Zealand and the UK before moving to Asia to make a change into the world of arts and events.
Science & Technology
Dr Jim Thompson BSc(Hons), MResSc, PhD, GCELead, PSM
Queensland Museum Network
Chief Executive Officer
Prior to joining Queensland Museum Network in 2017, Jim was responsible for biosecurity within Queensland’s Department of Agriculture and Fisheries. Jim has decades of experience in government agencies in both Queensland and New South Wales including 14 years in scientific research focussed on livestock and wildlife management. He participates in numerous state and national committees, with a particular focus on science, policy and organisational leadership, and has worked extensively with non-government industry bodies and stakeholders.
Canine Behaviour & Training
Glenn Cooke
Pet Resorts Australia
Chief Training Officer – Canine Evolution
Glenn has almost three decades of canine training expertise including breeding, socialisation, temperament, obedience, behavioural problem-solving, and the advanced training of working dogs. He is a sought-after expert consultant in court hearings, specialising in explosive detection, and providing training to foreign military police in all facets of canine expertise. Glenn is a dedicated member of the National Dog Trainers Federation.
Arts & Culture
Robert Kronk
Flipside Circus
CEO & Creative Director
Robert is the Creative Director and CEO of Flipside Circus and is a co-founder and director of debase (winner Gold Matilda Award 2018). He has worked extensively as a dramaturg, writer, director, and producer for companies including; La Boite, Brisbane Festival, Queensland Theatre, HotHouse Theatre, and the Queensland Performing Arts Centre.
Arts & Culture
Business
Charlie Cush
Brisbane Festival
CEO
Charlie is an experienced executive with a demonstrated history of working in the international performing arts industry. Appointed CEO of Brisbane Festival in 2018, Charlie has skillfully led the organisation through some of its greatest challenges including the global pandemic.
Arts & Culture
Business
Adam Brunes
Aruga
Co-Founder
A trained journalist and published writer, Adam’s media background, coupled with broad marketing experience, gives him an enviable edge in developing and executing creative brand campaigns. Adam is also an experienced cultural commentator and co-founder of The Little Red Company and Chair of La Boite Theatre.
Business
Travel
Donna Kramer
Aruga
Co-Founder
Sharp and strategic, Donna brings equal parts business savvy and sparkle. For 20 years, DK has delivered top-shelf communications solutions and business counsel for industry leaders across the cultural, tourism, lifestyle, property and not-for-profit sectors.
Arts & Culture
Kate Gould
Brisbane Powerhouse
Artistic Director & CEO
Kate is one of Australia’s leading artistic leaders and cultural entrepreneurs, and strategic advisor to numerous major events and organisations including Dark Mofo, Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, Aboriginal Art and Cultures Centre (SA), Monash University and Australian Dance Theatre. She is current CEO and Artistic Director of Brisbane Powerhouse and former CEO and Associate Artistic Director of the iconic Adelaide Festival.
Agriculture
Mental Health
Travel
Brooke Wood
Hipcamp Australia
Global Social Media Lead
Brooke is a camping expert committed to getting more people outdoors through Hipcamp. Brooke is a lifelong camper who has spent many a night under the stars and can provide expert tips, data and trends about Australians' camping habits.
Diversity & Inclusion
Rhys Kennedy
CPL (Choice, Passion, Life)
CEO
Rhys is the CEO of Choice Passion Life and the current chair of Cerebral Palsy Australia. He is passionate about ensuring Australians work together to de-stigmatise disability. Under his leadership, CPL has grown from an organisation with a turnover of $84 million and 1,100 employees to a $172 million organisation with 2,600 employees.
Cost of Living
Homelessness
Jayne Shallcross
Rosies - Friends on the Street
CEO
Jayne has been CEO since 2022 but was on the board for two years before that. Her background is in senior executive banking, finance and economic roles. She has always had a head for business but a heart for the community.
Community
Diversity & Inclusion
Sophie Li
SignHow
Co-Founder
Sophie is Li Cunxin’s daughter and was born profoundly deaf. She had her first cochlear implant when she was four but only learned to sign three decades later. She is co-founder of the world’s first online sign language database.
Diversity & Inclusion
Domestic & Family Violence
LGBTQIA
Mental Health
Ben Bjarnesan
LGBTQ DVA Foundation
Founder and Managing Director, TEDx Speaker, Police Officer
Ben Bjarnesen is a passionate educator, campaigner and speaker who believes that all people, no matter what their sexuality or gender identity, deserve the right to live free from domestic violence and abuse. In 2020, he founded the LGBTQ Domestic Violence Awareness Day and has worked tirelessly to raise awareness and stamp out domestic violence in LGBTQ+ communities.
Business
Cyber Security
Bill Owens
Veracity & Digital Literacy for Leaders
Managing Director
Bill Owens is the Managing Director of Veracity and has decades of experience in global business consulting and technology. Bill is passionate about finding the sweet spot where IT and corporate stewardship intersects – using technology to transform businesses. Through his Digital Literacy program, Bill is committed to raising digital literacy levels of business leaders across Australia.
Arts & Culture
Business
Naomi Price
The Little Red Company
Artistic Director
Naomi Price is Co-Founder and Artistic Director of Queensland independent production house The Little Red Company and Executive Producer of the Lord Mayor's Christmas Carols. An award-winning performer and producer, she is a passionate and respected advocate and thought leader for the Australian performing arts industry.
Agriculture
Community
John Warlters
Rural Aid
CEO
John has always championed our primary producers and advocated for a fair go for our farmers and their families. He has a deep connection across the Australian agribusiness sector and a genuine affinity with rural and regional communities. John joined Rural Aid as CEO in February 2020.
Arts & Culture
Louise Bezzina
Brisbane Festival
Artistic Director
Louise commenced as Artistic Director of Brisbane Festival in 2019, delivering her first Festival in 2020 at the height of the pandemic. Renowned for her unique brand of “artistic intervention”, Louise’s programming is hallmarked by site-specific spectacle and local artist engagement.
Arts & Culture
Diversity & Inclusion
Courtney Stewart
La Boite Theatre
Artistic Director
Courtney commenced as La Boite’s 18th Artistic Director in July 2022 and launches her inaugural season for the company in 2023. She is an acclaimed director, dramaturg and actor with a deep passion for intercultural works and multicultural dramaturgies.
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