The past three years have seen Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras flourish and adapt through a range of challenges and opportunities including the COVID-19 pandemic, harsh political and social attacks and the chance to welcome the world Down Under for Sydney WorldPride. 

Announced to staff today, Sydney Mardi Gras Chief Executive Officer Albert Kruger has announced his decision to step away as CEO. Albert will see through the remainder of his contract until June and the organisation will undertake a global search to find a suitable successor for Albert’s role. 

During his three-year tenure joining Sydney Mardi Gras in January 2020, Albert saw four Festivals come to life and led the organisation through the challenges posed by the pandemic, including ensuring that our beloved Parade continued marching, held at the Sydney Cricket Ground in 2021 and 2022. Additionally, Albert was instrumental in the delivery of Sydney Mardi Gras events part of Sydney WorldPride, a historic achievement as the first WorldPride in the Southern Hemisphere. 

Albert says “Over the last four seasons it’s been an honour to stand by our communities through the pandemic, and put Sydney on a global stage through WorldPride. I want to thank every member of our LGBTQIA+ communities for their support of Mardi Gras. I look forward to seeing the 2024 season come to life.”

With plans already well progressed for the 2024 season, we look forward to sharing more with you in the coming months, as well as commemorating the 45^th anniversary of the first Sydney Mardi Gras on 24 June. 

Sydney Mardi Gras would like to share our gratitude to Albert for his contribution to the organisation and wish him every success in his future endeavours.