Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is a trading and registered business name of New Mardi Gras Ltd. The membership elects the Board of New Mardi Gras Ltd.
The Board exists to ensure the organisation stays attuned to the wishes of members and the broader community. Its role is one of governance, developing policy, lobbying and ensuring the company has the right professional management team.
Siri Kommedahl – Co-Chair
Siri is currently a business development and strategy consultant in the field of digital media and online transactional businesses. She has held senior management positions in traditional software development and digital media companies in the US and Australia for the past 15 years, building business units and leading international expansion. She has been a board director (and chair) of several non-profit organisations in the arts and for the LGBT community most recently serving a 4 year term on the ACON board.
Paul Savage – Deputy Chair
Director for 1 year. Paul is an experienced Director with the world’s largest Management Consulting Firm. Specialising in change leadership and management, he is a subject matter expert in the management of human capital including driving transformation across highly unionised public sector agencies, various not for profits and large industrial organisations. With over 10 years, hands on, HR operational experience in the public sector, telecommunications, manufacturing and steel industries and holds a BA(Hons) in Finance and a MSc in Human Resource Management.
Greg Small – Deputy Chair
Greg Small is a Senior Logistics and Supply Chain Manager who has worked all over the world in some of the most challenging and high pressure environments from Afghanistan, Dubai, Singapore and PNG managing workforces in excess of 2000 people with multi-million dollar budgets. In Australia, Greg has worked for some of the largest blue chip organisations including Shell Australia, Patrick Corporation and George Weston Foods in Senior Management roles.
Greg currently works for the world’s largest building supply company with a portfolio that includes both international and national responsibility in keys areas of operations, warehousing, transportation, planning and supply chain.
Phil Kershaw – Treasurer
Phil is a Chartered Accountant with 11 years experience with Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu before holding senior positions in other organizations including Chief Financial Officer and Finance Director. Phil is also an experienced company director having served on numerous Boards, including publicly listed companies, superannuation trustee companies, joint venture companies and overseas companies.
Damon Hartley – Director
Damon’s community involvement includes SGLMG Board Director 2010 til present, being a former Committee member and Treasurer of Pride in the 90s, long term supporter of BGF, and member of SGLMG Parade Committee from 2001 till 2003. 30 years experience in financial and office administration, production, and event management. Damon currently works as a teacher in the Events and Tourism VET Sector, and continues his work as a Producer, Production Manager and Operator in the Live Production Sector. Justice of the Peace for New South Wales.
Amanda Keeling – Director
Amanda holds a Masters in Communication Studies, a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) and Diploma in Project Management. Working as a media and communications consultant, Amanda’s experience ranges from marketing, research, strategy and business development, to client relations, production, media and communications. Amanda currently sits on the SGLMG Community Engagement Committee, and the Board of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Business Association as the Director of Media and Communications.
David Wilson – Director
David has a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting/IT) and a Master of Commerce (Organisational Behaviour/IT). David has been a member elected Board member of a Superannuation Trustee company. David was employed in IT with a large pharmaceutical company for 16 years.
Michele Bauer – Board Associate
Michele has worked extensively in the Arts and Entertainment industry, both nationally and internationally for the past 20 years. She is currently the Production Manager for the Victorian Opera Company. Michele also has extensive experience in – and a strong dedication to – working towards making the Arts more environmentally sustainable and is a co-founder of Greening Our Performance. In addition, Michele completes her Masters in Arts Administration in December 2012.
Samantha Lawrence – Board Associate
Samantha holds a Masters in Business Administration, BA (Hons) Archaeology and is an Affiliate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Working in the financial services and government sectors, Sam’s experience includes corporate governance, project management, business planning, stakeholder engagement and policy development. She has been a Secretary to Government Boards for the past 6 years as well as assisting in the management of a significant NSW investment fund.
Jason Hair – Board Associate
Jason holds a Masters in Business Administration and is a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. A dynamic, results-oriented, global executive with over 15 years experience in strategy, business transformation, sales and customer service; Jason currently leads his own management consulting company assisting clients drive their corporate strategy, customer segmentation and service differentiation strategies. Previous to this he was with Thomson Reuters, the worlds largest information company, in various roles including Managing Director of Direct Sales in Europe and Global Head of Service Operations. He is a passionate advocate for LGBTQI issues and has been an active member of various action groups within the corporate sector.
Peter Munro – Company Secretary
Peter has bachelor’s degrees in law and communications and is a solicitor qualified to practice in a number of jurisdictions. Peter is employed as an in house counsel for one of Australia’s largest accounting firms.
