Our Team

Kate is a professional, non-executive director having sold her consultancy, Governance Matters, in 2017. Prior to establishing Governance Matters, Kate earned a law degree from the University of Melbourne and worked in management at a commercial law firm. Kate is an expert in strategy, governance and commercial law. Kate’s board experience has spaned commercial, statutory and not-for-profit entities across diverse sectors: banking and finance; engineering; defence; biotech; entertainment; gaming; software; education; employment; housing and accommodation and professional services. She currently chairs ASX-listed LBT Innovations Ltd and is a director of Whittles Management Services Pty Ltd and Lanser Services Fund and, is a trustee of Adelaide Workers' Homes. She is a fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. 

Andrew has been the Treasurer of Adelaide Fringe since 2016, Chairs the Finance Committee and is a member of the Risk Committee. As a Chartered Accountant and Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Andrew has held senior executive roles in a range of industries including professional services, retail, manufacturing and consulting as well as Director roles for a private technology company and a NFP Foundation. Andrew is currently Principal of Finance and Company Secretary for Hames Sharley, a national design practice specialising in architecture, interior design, urban design and planning,

David Pearson is the CEO of the Australian Alliance to End Homelessness (AAEH) where is working to build a national campaign to support communities across Australia to end street homelessness. Previously he was the Executive Director of the Don Dunstan Foundation – a thought leadership organisation established to inspire action for a fairer world, and to build on the legacy of the late Premier of South Australia, Don Dunstan. Prior to this, David was the Senior Policy Adviser to a number of South Australian Premiers and Commonwealth Government Ministers where he advised on a range of policy areas including the arts and creative industries. 

David is Chair of the Fringe Festival Foundation, Deputy Chair of Community Bridging Services SA and Chair of the Yunus Social Business Centre at the University of South Australia. In 2019 David was recognised as one of the top 40 Under 40 leaders in South Australia and was awarded a 2020 Churchill Fellowship.

With a broad ranging career, Cathy brings a mixed skill set spanning project management, communications, media, policy, stakeholder engagement, government relations, politics, crisis management, negotiation and events. After almost 15 years in broadcast journalism at the ABC and print at AAP, Cathy worked in a women’s NGO in Jakarta before taking up Comms and Media Management in SA Government. 

She then moved into politics as an adviser to a Minister and a former Premier, which included, among others, advising on the Arts portfolio. Cathy has also worked in Stakeholder Engagement at the University of Adelaide, and she managed SA’s COVID-19 Vaccination Program during the pandemic before becoming Director of Strategy in SA Health.  

Nicholas is a lawyer and senior partner at Dentons, the largest law firm in the world. Nicholas has over 27 years' experience as a litigator and employment lawyer.

Nicholas currently serves on the Boards of:

Nicholas won the Law Society’s Justice Award in 2013, the ArtsLaw Centre’s National Arts Community Pro Bono Award in 2013, 2018 and 2020 and was the 2021 Lawyer of the Year for Employment Law in SA in the Best Lawyers’ Guide.

Odette Pearson is a Kuku Yalanji and Torres Strait Islander women from Far North Queensland who has lived on Kaurna Country for the last 13 years. Odette has worked as a health researcher at the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute since 2013. Through research Odette informs health system and service improvements and supports self-determination of Aboriginal communities. Odette has been on the Fringe Board since 2018 and contributes her research skills and lived experience as an Aboriginal person to supporting and developing the fringe to be a diverse and thriving festival in South Australia, Australia and across the globe. Odette, her husband Steve and Golden Retriever Pipi, live in Adelaide. Their families live interstate (QLD & WA) and abroad (England) which sometimes has it benefits but overall, it means (or meant) a lot of travel and cherishing those moments.

Having trained as a journalist and working in public relations in Australia and the US, Paul established a national public relations company, Hamra Management, over 13 years which was sold to Young & Rubicam in 2000. Following this, in 2004, Paul established Solstice Media - a company creating Australian news products including, InDaily, InQueensland, The Lead, SALIFE, CityMag and The New Daily, through its subsidiary, Motion Publishing. Paul is also Publisher at The New Daily. The company operates out of Melbourne, Adelaide and Brisbane and employs over 90 people. In 2017 Paul was a finalist in The EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award.

Paul was appointed deputy chair of Australia’s film agency, The Australian Film Commission (now Screen Australia) in 1999 for six years and was chair of The Fleurieu Art Prize for four years. Paul has also served as a Trustee of the Flinders Medical Centre Foundation, committee member of the SA Press Club and University of Adelaide Media Advisory Board.

Ms. Hosch has a long and distinguished history in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander policy, advocacy, governance and is an accomplished public speaker. Before joining the AFL as the first ever Indigenous person and 2nd woman in their Executive ranks in August 2016, Tanya was the Joint Campaign director of the Recognise movement for constitutional recognition. At the AFL Tanya’s portfolios include – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander issues, Gender Equality, Sexuality and Gender Diversity, racism and sexism.  Tanya is tasked with the implementation of the AFL’s enhanced Indigenous strategy, advising the AFL National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Council, maintenance of the Respect and Responsibility Policy, 2017, and the Gender Diversity Policy.

Tanya is a Co-Chair of the Indigenous Advisory Group of the National Australia Bank, an ANU Council member, Director of the Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education (FARE), a Board Director of the Australian Film, Television and Radio School and was a member of the Referendum Council that led the process and final recommendation that resulted in The Statement from the Heart in May 2017.  A career highlight was contributing as a Consultant on the ABC drama, Total Control.

In October 2020, Tanya was announced as the South Australian of the Year for 2021.  In October 2021, Tanya was named 6th on the Australian Financial Review Cultural Power list and in December 2021, Tanya was named 23rd on South Australian’s Most Influential People list.

Van is the Executive General Manager NZ Asia Pacific for GHD Limited responsible for the strategic and transformational growth and performance of the region. She is a civil engineer (however having also graduated with an Arts degree) and over her career, Van has successfully led the delivery of high profile, complex and large projects across Australia and internationally. Having grown up in Adelaide, Van has enjoyed the vibrancy of the city, the Arts Community and firmly believes in the lasting benefits the Arts sector brings to all communities. She is a huge supporter of STEAM, and a strong advocate for delivering positive sustainable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander outcomes.

Van has held numerous positions on boards, advisory boards, subsidiary boards, and board committees across a range of sectors both private and public from education, the arts, social impact and business. 

In January 2020 Van and her family moved to Auckland, New Zealand and is able to provide an overseas perspective as she continues to be committed and passionate about being involved with the Fringe and her commitments to the Board. While not working Van enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters hiking, skiing and discovering new places to visit.

Tūtawa mai i runga, Tūtawa mai i raro, Tūtawa mai i waho, Tūtawa mai i roto, Kia tau ai te amuri tū, te mauri ora ki te katoe, hāumi e, hui e, taiki e!

I summon from above, below, within, from the outside environment, to calm and settle the vital inner essence, the wellbeing of everyone. Be joined together, united!

Heather Croall AM is an experienced CEO and Director known as a visionary in the creative sector who delivers innovative festival programs, new audiences and organisational growth. 

Under her leadership, every festival Heather has run has seen an increase in turnover, been met with high critical acclaim, delivered increased ticket sales and expanded audience demographics. Heather embraces adaptive and agile leadership methodologies and is known for implementing innovative digital platforms and systems that drive change and growth. 

Heather is a filmmaker and has produced and directed documentaries for SBS, ABC, Ch 4 and BBC. 

She first worked at the Fringe Star Club in the early 1990’s and also ran the film event, Shoot the Fringe from 1992 to 2002, then was Director at the Australian Documentary Conference before going to the UK to take up Festival Director and CEO role at the Sheffield Doc/Fest from 2005 – 2015.

Heather then returned to Adelaide to take up the role of Director and Chief Executive in 2015 at Adelaide Fringe.

Ella started her Arts career at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe as a BOB at the Pleasance Theatre. Over the last 14 years, she has made her way across several arts festivals to be at Adelaide Fringe as Executive Director – Audience.  The Fringe has evolved dramatically in the 9 festivals that Ella has been involved; with an impressive Digital overhaul including new ticketing and website platforms and reaching the incredible milestone of selling 1million tickets in 2023. 
Ella is a lover of data and ticketing stats, a clever campaign tag line and a seamless user journey. 

Jo likes to throw a party, it’s true, she also likes dogs. She has returned home to SA to throw the biggest party to date in her career, and joined the Adelaide Fringe team in 2017. Her first encounter with Adelaide Fringe was producing and performing on busses across Adelaide, with the cult hit Op Shop Tours. You may also know her from various management roles at festivals such as Melbourne Fringe, Melbourne International Film Festival, Short + Sweet Melbourne, and Melbourne International Comedy Festival.  If you can’t see her, listen for her laugh. 

Tara’s love of Fringe started in Edinburgh, where she spent 5 years before heading to London to live for another 5. It’s been a lifelong dream to work at the Fringe and she’s now Executive Director – Operations & Finance – and loving it! 

It’s Tara’s second role in the Arts, her first foray being at the Adelaide Film Festival heading up the areas of Development, Events and Operations. A background in events, project management and ops, Tara spent 13 years at Port Adelaide Football Club as GM Events & Game Day and then switching to GM Strategic Projects. Tara reckons the move from AFL to the Arts hasn’t been too difficult…passionate, committed and staunch supporters sit on both sides.

Amanda joined the Adelaide Fringe team as a box office staff member in 2016, then moved into a Ticketing Coordinator role for the 2017 season, and has been around since as the Ticketing Manager. Amanda’s favourite things include budgets, spreadsheets, sports, travelling, the festival season, times shared with good people, and her boys. 

Kat spent eight years living in the UK, where she headed-up global partnerships & events for international advertising publication and networking platform, LBBonline. This included five years of organising and running a week-long beach party at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. She left the EU around the same time the UK did and returned to sunny South Australia joining the Fringe fam in 2017. She now oversees Adelaide Fringe’s corporate partnership portfolio, new business and fundraising initiatives; and is proud of the positive social, economic and cultural impact we have on South Australia when we work together. When not Fringe-ing, Kat is teaching her two small children Spice Girls routines.

Kirrilee started her career working at Brand South Australia, ahead of moving into marketing for the Royal Adelaide Show, where she led initiatives including introducing the Quiet Zone to improve the event’s accessibility and rolling out ‘The Show @ Home’ website during the Covid-19 pandemic. Kirrilee has also contributed her time to a variety of festivals through volunteering for The Falls Arts and Music Festival, Adelaide Beer & BBQ Festival, OzAsia Festival and the Adelaide Fringe before joining the Fringe marketing team in 2022.

Having grown up in regional South Australia, she's passionate about all things local, particularly gin, wine and cheese. On the weekend you'll find her watching a lacrosse game or at the beach with her two beloved French Bulldogs, Jeremy and Ricky.

Over seven years ago, Kieran dived into the world of the Adelaide Fringe, kicking things off as a Box Office Casual. After moving around the Aussie Festival scene, he switched gears to become the Volunteer Coordinator. But, his techy heart led him to become the Digital Project Manager. He's all about improving the Adelaide Fringe experience with digital magic for all our stakeholders. When he's not geeking out over digital tools, you'll find him soaking up the sun at the beach or having a paw-some time with his best friend Maju.

Adrian learnt from Kieran and quickly overtook him as ‘one of the best Volunteer Coordinators of the past 8 Fringes’, second only to Adelaide. He has joined the People and Culture department as the Office & Volunteer Manager and is as keen as ever to see all the faces that walk through the door. You may know his voice from Radio Adelaide’s Local Noise and Flâneur Files or maybe you’ve switched your screen off when his face appeared on the local music web series Songs for Pasta. Either way, he’s ready to say hi every day!

Andy caught the festival bug back in 2007 and has worked many international festivals over the last 11 years, working within marketplaces and industry from Sheffield Doc/Fest to Edinburgh Fringe. He made the leap over to Adelaide Fringe in 2016. He manages the Honey Pot, working year round to bring out the best presenters and organisations from around the world to see shows within the Honey Pot program during Fringe. Andy’s perfect weekend would include a few cellar doors in Mclaren Vale followed by a beach walk and swim at Port Willunga with friends.

With a Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting, Daniela is a seasoned professional in her field with over 12 years of industry experience. In 2022, Daniela embarked on a new journey by joining Adelaide Fringe as the Finance Manager and she hasn’t looked back since. She embraces the arts environment with enthusiasm, relishing the opportunity to learn and contribute to the vibrant world of arts and culture. Beyond her knack for numbers, our Italiano queen is a lover of all things health and wellness, Guy Sebastian, brunching with her friends and just a great chat. 

Ali is a proud Scot who embarked on a new adventure by moving to Australia last year. Joining Adelaide Fringe in November 2022, Ali is currently our Box Office and Customer Service Manager and he has loved his first festival experience. With a diverse background in Box Office, Front of House, and running his own design and print studio for five years he brings a unique perspective (and dodgy accent) to the team. Beyond work, his passion for musical theatre takes centre stage as a writer, director, performer, and devoted audience member all fuelled by his other passion for good coffee and great wine. Among his career highlights is directing a charity production in Scotland that raised an impressive £103,000 for local charities. Ali takes pride in being part of Adelaide Fringe, sharing the vision of making art accessible to all.

Georgia joined the Adelaide Fringe team at the start of 2022 as a Marketing Coordinator. In June she transitioned to Marketing Project Manager and kicked off the role by leading the 2022 Impact Report project, a collation of the festival’s biggest wins and impressive economic impact. A dedicated Fringe lover for years and a background in journalism, Georgia is driven to shout our story from the rooftop and share what Fringe is all about. Her greatest passions include good coffee, South Aussie wines and cat videos.

Lisa has dabbled in all areas of artists and venues, with experience as a theatre maker, producer and venue manager. With many years participating as a local in Adelaide Fringe, she has gradually made her way on to the other side! Lisa loves a good chinwag, sunny days, fun festivities and family time with her little humans. You won’t find a person who is more passionate about the arts, and who will do anything for the Fringe fam: artists, venues and all.

Lara joined the Adelaide Fringe family in early 2017 and has worked in various roles and now more recently as the Senior Artist Ticketing coordinator. She is a graduate from WAAPA in Performing Arts and has worked as an actor since 2011. Lara’s favourite things include the theatre, running, the beach, puppies, hot summer days, kicking the footy and anything outdoorsy as well as very long walks—particularly across Spain. Lara is also a yoga teacher and regularly teaches yoga in studios around Adelaide. 
   

Lauren started with the Adelaide Fringe in 2014 after working at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe while traveling. She has worked as a superstar supervisor in the box offices, in the Ticketing department as a Coordinator, and has now made the move to Executive Assistant to the Director and CEO, Heather Croall.

Lauren has a cleaning problem, only wears black and is a single mother to her little French bulldog, Ponyo. Lauren likes to have a lol, a white wine with ice and bloody loves Fringe fun times. 

Matt has been on a whirlwind of a ride in the events and festival world after previously working at Adelaide Fringe seven years ago delivering some huge and exciting projects for Adelaide Fringe including 'The Opening Night Street Party on North Terrace', 'The Parade of Lights' and 'Borealis'. Returning to Fringe this year after various leadership roles in major events including Sydney Festival, Darwin Festival, The Tour Down Under, Tasting Australia, Adelaide Film Festival, Darwin Festival, Adelaide New Years Eve City of Lights, Gluttony Events, The FIFA Women’s World Cup '23 AUNZ, Falls Festival and many more. In the last two years Matt has worked closely with Heather Croall and Adelaide Fringe, project managing and delivering the last two flagship events 'SKY SONG' drone light show and 'Electric Skies'. Matt is extremely excited to be back on the team working towards Adelaide Fringe '24 and beyond.

Aaron is an artist and producer who has been performing in Adelaide Fringe for over 10 years. His arts career has covered the music, film, youth arts and live event industries. Aaron has joined Adelaide Fringe as an Artist and Venue Coordinator in 2023, working to support and empower the people that Fringe is all about. Before Adelaide Fringe, he worked as a Digital Marketing Coordinator at Carclew Youth Arts for 3 years. His main goal in life is to make people laugh and his show Lost in Translation has been running at Rhino Room since Adelaide Fringe 2021. 

Ashley came into the Fringe fold in 2020 after stints in the Artist and Venues team and in Administration, with a background of visual arts and small business ownership and a Graduate Diploma in Management (Arts and Culture) she now brings her wealth of experience to the Business Development team as the Partnerships Coordinator. Her knowledge and passion for the arts in South Australia carries through everything she does. Ashley has experienced the Adelaide Fringe as an artist, a venue operator and an audience member – the opportunity to continue supporting the arts industry in a collaborative and meaningful way incorporating her business sense is a dream come true. Ashley thrives in finding mutually beneficial, unique ways to connect business and art. 

Courtney started at Adelaide Fringe on a traineeship in 2021, where she spent her time as the Administration Assistant. After her traineeship Courtney joined the Operations team as the Diversity and Inclusion Administrator and is having the best time. Her favourite things include a good book, loud music and Marlene.

Esther joined Adelaide Fringe as an intern in late 2020 getting a taste for each department. Shortly after her internship, she came back as a trainee where her role was split between the Marketing and Ticketing teams. Mid 2021 saw Esther join our Ticketing team as a Ticketing Administrator and has loved every moment of it! Esther hopes to expand her ticketing knowledge and work, travel and enjoy arts festivals all over the world.

Jenny joined the Marketing team ahead of the 2023 season, looking after Fringe’s social media and email communications. Hailing from Hong Kong, she embraces her passion for the arts and photography here at Adelaide Fringe, capturing and sharing the festival's spirit with audiences near and far. Jenny is also a huge Disney fan and dreams of visiting every Disneyland in the world.

After having the first taste of Fringe back in 2017 Jessie was blown away by what she saw. She planned to stay in Adelaide after studying in Hong Kong and New Zealand. Working here as one of the members in finance team, she has been loving it since! Handling numbers in the arts environment is an absolute delight. She also loves spending time outdoors, having some fresh air and playing sports!

Latecia is a self-taught developer who learned to code over the years. She enjoys gaming, board games, reading (mostly science fiction and fantasy related) and watching movies and television. She's forever trying to finish watching the top 250 classic movies list. Obsessed with most things pop culture and watches too much YouTube.

As a visual artist, Madison holds dual bachelor's degrees in Visual Arts (Glass) and Media Arts. Her insatiable love and boundless curiosity for graphic arts and animation propel her to constantly push the boundaries of design. Beyond her design endeavors, she gleefully immerses herself in a world of watercolour painting, photography, and writing, finding delight in the exploration of diverse artistic mediums. Nature serves as her muse, and her unwavering affection for animals brings an extra touch of magic and joy to her creative journey.

Margaret started her marketing journey in Singapore, where she worked within the tourism industry for key leisure attractions and was part of a major tourism launch with Changi Airport. Moving to Australia in 2021, she worked with a luxury holiday rental group, overseeing the marketing and reservations prior to joining Fringe as a Marketing Project Coordinator. 
Margaret has been learning, absorbing and celebrating the arts and can’t wait to be fully involved with Fringe family to inspire creativity in the years to come.  She is also a self-proclaimed dog whisperer who spends her free time dog-sitting, and sometimes dog-stalking around the neighbourhood.

 Matt is the lead developer on our AVR platform as well as other in-house software. He works alongside Kieran and the many stakeholders in delivering an easy and seamless artist / venue registration experience. Matt is part of the Cheryl’s vollyball team and enjoys gaming, kayaking, taking care of his tropical fish and his amazing dog Monte! 

Nadia has worked in various roles in the arts for 20 years - and can’t see herself anywhere else. Before Joining the incredible Fringe team in May 2021, her most recent roles were with the Helpmann Academy (Program & Events Manager) and The Adelaide Festival Centre (Business Development Coordinator). Nadia’s passion for the arts and the role it plays in communities is complimented by her experience and knowledge of the industry. She strives to explore new, creative, and value aligned ways to connect business with the arts, and guide collaborative partnerships.      

Nick studied Fine Art Sculpture in the UK and was a founding partner in the UK design company The Designers Republic. He was the Lead Artist at the Sony Leeds studio and worked on the Bafta winning Wip3out for the Play Station. Now living and working in Adelaide on everything Fringe and also performing his own show Werewolves in Adelaide and ast Edinburgh Fringe. In his spare time painting murals around town and sculpting.

Richie comes from a tourism background, having worked across the country on iconic Australian railways, on mountain tops in Canada and alongside 5-metre crocodiles in Darwin. But Adelaide is home, and he’s settled into Fringe as part of the Marketing team, supporting artists with their promotional activity in the lead up to and during Fringe. 

During the festival Richie can also be found backstage as a magicians assistant, or off exploring the variety of shows and events around Adelaide!

Ruby Hankinson has a background in the arts and a penchant for creativity from living in LA for 6 years. She enjoys learning and trying new things, from animals and food to fashion, music, and comedy. Ruby is a night owl, social, and loves exploring new cultures. While fun-loving, she's also dedicated to her work, aiming to make a positive impact.

Sarah joined the Adelaide Fringe team in 2021 to support the work of the Honey Pot marketplace team, before taking on a role in the Artist & Venue team for the 2023 Fringe season. Sarah came to the Adelaide Fringe from a visual arts background, with experience in arts administration, exhibition coordination and the delivery of public programs across a range of festivals, galleries, museums and in the university sector. Having taken on the role of Artist & Venue Coordinator in 2023, Sarah is working to support the artists and venues that make this festival happen. Sarah loves working to support emerging artists, experiencing live performances and is passionate about making the arts industry more accessible and sustainable.

Sylvia, a communicator with extensive expertise in Advertising and Public Relations, has amassed significant experience in the entertainment, arts, and media production management sectors across numerous countries. Beginning her career as a music agent, she quickly made her mark by excelling in promotion and distribution, and played pivotal roles in music tours across Latin America and the US. Additionally, she managed key advertising campaigns, including NIVEA’s (Beiersdorf) centennial celebration in Latin America. Originally from Colombia, Sylvia's international journey included in Sydney with the Ardent digital marketing agency and the Bondi Beach Latin Festival, later leading her own agency to promote independent music artists internationally. Now based in Adelaide, she served as a Marketplace Coordinator for the Honey Pot team and transitioned into business development after a successful season with the Adelaide Fringe. Beyond her professional domain, Sylvia hosts a radio show at 5EBI FM, spotlighting professionals in the arts and music industries, fostering a deeper understanding of the South Australian arts scene, and inspiring future talents.