Board and Leadership Team

Executive Assistant to CEO
Lauren O’Neill
lauren.oneill@ppandva.com.au

CEO of Penrith Performing & Visual Arts, incorporating The Joan, Q Theatre, Penrith Conservatorium and Penrith Regional Gallery.

Krissie Scudds has over 30 years of experience in the Australian creative industries. Appointed CEO of PP&VA in January 2023, she previously served as Marketing Director for eight years. With deep expertise in Western Sydney’s arts and cultural landscape, she is also a member of the Western Sydney Arts Alliance Working Group.

A strategic leader specialising in program development, branding, audience engagement, and digital strategy, Krissie spent over a decade managing Audience and Market Development for the Australia Council and she has a long-held passion for helping arts organisations and individual artists deepen engagement with their audiences. Her work includes projects for Opera Australia, Vivid Ideas, Qantas, the Dictionary of Sydney, Arts Access Australia, Community Cultural Development NSW, CoFA, State Theatre SA and the Sydney Olympic Park Business Association and more.

toby.chapman@ppandva.com.au

Toby Chapman is an arts leader and curator with extensive experience across Western Sydney’s cultural sector. He has curated exhibitions and programs for major institutions and festivals including the Museum of Contemporary Art, Sydney Festival, Adelaide Festival, the Shanghai Biennale and the Jakarta Biennale.

As Acting CEO of PP&VA and Director of Penrith Regional Gallery, Toby leads the organisation’s strategic direction and creative vision, focusing on artist development, community engagement and sharing the Gallery’s significant collection. He is committed to ensuring PP&VA is locally valued and nationally recognised through ambitious programming and strong sector partnerships.

Toby holds a Bachelor of Arts and is completing a Master of Arts in Curatorial and Museum Studies.

emma.murphy@ppandva.com.au

Emma brings more than 25 years of senior experience in finance and operations across Australia’s arts and not-for-profit sectors. Emma oversees finance, assets, IT and venue operations, ensuring the organisation is sustainable, efficient and prepared for future growth.

Before joining PP&VA, Emma worked as a freelance finance consultant supporting arts organisations with budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting and organisational planning. She has also held senior roles with the Australia Council for the Arts, Wayside Chapel, Sydney Symphony Orchestra and Opera Australia, leading major projects and supporting teams through periods of change.

Emma is committed to building strong foundations so artists, audiences and communities can thrive.

penny.rowland@ppandva.com.au

Penny Rowland is an audience and revenue leader with experience shaping some of Australia’s most recognised cultural and creative organisations. Her career includes senior roles at The Australian Ballet, Sydney Opera House and EMI Music Australasia, where she led award-winning teams, brand reinvention and audience growth across large and complex environments.

At Penrith Performing & Visual Arts, Penny leads marketing, brand and audience strategy across The Joan, Penrith Regional Gallery (Lewers) and the Penrith Conservatorium. She is driving PP&VA’s evolution into a contemporary cultural and entertainment destination with a stronger profile, broader reputation and audiences that reflect Western Sydney today.

peta.downes@ppandva.com.au

Peta Downes is a producer, director and arts manager with extensive experience across Australia’s performing arts sector. She has held roles with Critical Stages Touring, The Sydney Fringe and the Australian Institute of Music, and has directed or produced work for Brisbane Powerhouse, Metro Arts, La Boite Theatre, Queensland Theatre, Bell Shakespeare and Darlinghurst Theatre.

A respected educator, Peta has taught at QUT, UNSW, NIDA, CQU and Charles Sturt University, and previously served as a Board Director for Theatre Network NSW.

At PP&VA, Peta leads commercial and contemporary performance programming, with a focus on new work development, artist pathways and creating meaningful audience experiences.

brian.kjim@ppandva.com.au

Brian Kjim is a musician, educator and neuroscientist whose work blends creative practice with scientific insight. A skilled multi-instrumentalist, he has taught music across primary, secondary and tertiary settings and is committed to supporting young and emerging musicians through accessible, high-quality education.

Brian’s research explores how music influences brain function, mood, cognition and mental health, with a focus on addiction, compulsive behaviours and cognitive development. This interdisciplinary perspective strengthens his belief in the transformative impact of music and arts learning.

At PP&VA, Brian is dedicated to fostering environments where students can grow their skills, confidence and creative voice.

An experienced arts administrator based in the Blue Mountains, Dale Maxwell-Smith is passionate about strengthening the arts, heritage and environmental sectors through connection and community impact.

Across her career, Dale has worked as a festival and events producer and project manager for organisations including Art Month Sydney, Art Money and the Australian Centre for Photography, leading programs that champion artistic practice and support sector development.

Dale is currently the Training and Engagement Manager at Museums & Galleries of NSW, where she oversees professional development, sector research, strategic partnerships and devolved funding for the state, as well as the annual IMAGinE Awards celebrating museums, galleries and Aboriginal cultural centres across NSW.

Committed to access and cultural participation, Dale believes the arts have the power to shape identity, strengthen place and enrich people’s lives. She holds a Bachelor of Visual Arts from the University of Sydney.

A retired financial planner, tax lawyer and company director, Don Church brings deep governance experience and strategic oversight to the board.

Throughout his career, Don has advised corporate and not-for-profit boards on governance frameworks, legislative compliance, financial planning, accounts management and risk. His leadership has shaped high-performing executive teams across both private and public sectors.

Don now contributes his commercial expertise in support of the organisation’s long-term sustainability and impact.

Driven by a belief that creativity and culture contribute to thriving communities, Don is committed to ensuring strong governance that enables the arts to flourish.

A Penrith local, Councillor Kirstie Boerst is a creative producer and the founder and director of the StarBurst Film Festival, passionate about content that inspires audiences and creates social impact.

Over her career, Kirstie has produced creative projects that encourage storytelling, connection and intergenerational learning. She advocates strongly for opportunities that allow communities to participate in creative expression.

Kirstie is driven to build a resilient, inclusive and vibrant Penrith, with particular focus on ensuring access to services and facilities for palliative and aged care, and support for people living with disability.

Kirstie believes that storytelling can transform lives and that creativity strengthens individual wellbeing, community identity and social cohesion.

A long-time resident of the Penrith area, Councillor Robin Cook has deep personal and generational connections to the region. A former registered nurse and carer for a parent with disabilities, Robin brings strong advocacy for health, equity and inclusion.

Robin has dedicated much of her work to supporting marginalised members of the community and strengthening recognition and respect for Indigenous peoples.

She brings a compassionate, community-centred perspective to the board, focused on ensuring all residents can access meaningful cultural experiences and participation.

Robin believes the arts hold a mirror to society and create space for empathy, learning and powerful social change.

Councillor Ross Fowler is serving his eighth consecutive term on Council, after first being elected in 1991. He is a highly regarded leader with strong financial expertise and deep community connection.

Ross holds qualifications in accounting, is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, a registered Company Auditor and Tax Agent, and the Principal of a Chartered Accountancy firm in Penrith.

He applies his financial management experience to support the organisation’s sustainability, good governance and long-term strength.

Ross believes the arts play an essential role in building healthy, connected and future-focused communities.

Andrew Jackson is an experienced public sector executive committed to city-shaping, planning and strong community outcomes.

Across senior roles at Liverpool City Council, NSW Treasury, the NSW Department of Planning and Environment, and the Department of Premier and Cabinet, Andrew has led major strategic initiatives across planning, regulation and economic development.

Andrew is currently the Director, Planning & Regulatory Services at Penrith City Council, guiding sustainable growth and delivering services that support residents, businesses and cultural vitality.

He believes that culture and creativity are integral to building cities where people feel connected, inspired and proud to belong.

A communications leader with over 20 years ’experience across journalism, media and team leadership, Melissa Matheson is passionate about storytelling that reflects diverse voices and strengthens community connection.

Melissa has held senior editorial roles including Head of Editorial at Pedestrian Group, Managing Editor at NOVA Entertainment and Senior Editor at SBS World News, shaping high-impact content and mentoring emerging journalists.

She now brings her media expertise to support the organisation’s storytelling, audience engagement and advocacy.

Melissa believes that access to the arts and opportunities for expression empower individuals, build confidence and foster a more inclusive society.

Dr Ann-Maree Moodie is a governance expert who advises boards and executive teams across Australia and Asia on performance, leadership, group dynamics and decision-making.

As the founder of Governance Australia & Asia, Ann-Maree has built a respected advisory practice grounded in research, lived board experience and a deep understanding of complex leadership environments. She holds a PhD from Macquarie University for her work on independence and conformity in board decision-making and a Master of Applied Anthropology from the Australian National University, where she expanded her interests in human behaviour, culture and organisational relationships.

Ann-Maree is a qualified company secretary, a Fellow of the AICD and the Governance Institute of Australia, and the author of four books on business, governance and leadership. She is currently writing a new work exploring how boards and directors operate.

A passionate advocate for Western Sydney and the arts, Ann-Maree believes creativity helps people connect, reflect and understand the world — and that strong governance enables cultural organisations to thrive.

A dedicated arts educator based in the Blue Mountains, Amanda Rudolf is committed to ensuring young people have rich opportunities to learn, create and perform.

With a Bachelor of Arts in Music and German and qualifications in teaching from Western Sydney University, Amanda has built a long career as a high school music educator and is currently Head Teacher Performing Arts at Nepean CAPA High School. She has conducted the PULSE Massed Choir at the Sydney Opera House and leads vocal ensembles and a cappella groups. Amanda is also a performer and member of Bird Yard Big Band and Harmoni a cappella group.

Amanda is the Chair of PP&VA’s Education Committee and brings a strong focus on youth development, creativity and pathways into the performing arts.

She believes that the arts expand possibility, nurture confidence and help young people to discover who they can be.

An award-winning arts leader, writer, creative producer and cultural strategist based in Western Sydney, Augusta Supple is passionate about storytelling, cultural equity and building vibrant creative ecosystems.

Over 25 years, Augusta has led large-scale productions, festivals and creative programs in Australia, Europe and North America. She has worked with more than 300 writers to develop and

produce new work and has held senior roles at Arts NSW, Create NSW and the City of Parramatta, where she led cultural strategy and embedded creativity into city planning and economic policy.

Augusta is the Festival Director of Parramatta’s Lit: a grassroots literary festival for Western Sydney, and a recognised champion for creative innovation. Recent honours include the International Film and Entertainment Festival Australia’s Woman of the Year Award, Western Sydney University’s Woman of the Year (Arts) Award and Eventex’s 50 Most Influential People in the Events Industry.

Augusta believes the arts are essential to civic life: helping communities express identity, challenge assumptions and imagine new futures.