Meet Our Board

Cecilia Anthony is a multidisciplinary policy, strategy, research and engagement expert with specialist knowledge working with and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and CALD communities across a range of policy areas, including across the creative sectors.

She is an Industry Professor of Indigenous Policy at Jumbunna Institute for Indigenous Education and Research at UTS. Cecilia has been involved in First Nations policy, advocacy and affairs for more than 20 years to support equity and advancement for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in NSW and nationally, including as a senior advisor to the NSW Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, at the NSW Department of Aboriginal Affairs, and with National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples, and with Aboriginal owned and run consultancies.

She was the inaugural Manager of Government Relations at Creative Australia (formerly Australia Council for the Arts) and developed their initial government relations strategy. Cecilia was co-chair of Reconciliation NSW for five years.

At the core of her work ethic is the belief that all communities have a right to self-determination and to have their voices heard.

Francisca Peña is an accomplished and versatile leader with more than 20 years’ experience across the arts, not-for-profit, media and social enterprise sectors, and is currently the General Manager, Carriageworks. Peña has previously held roles at Australian Indigenous Education Foundation, Sydney Theatre Company, Company B (Belvoir St Theatre), Network Ten. Peña has extensive experience in financial leadership roles, complemented by significant expertise in operational functions, and she has a successful track record of delivering strategies to secure future growth, enhancing business efficiencies, and establishing effective compliance measures.

Anthony Peluso is the Chief Executive at Country Arts SA working closely with the Creative Programs, Arts Centres and Marketing teams. He oversees the development of the company’s artistic programs and, with the CEO, he strengthens the network of stakeholders and partners which support the organisation’s activities in regional South Australia. He joined the organisation in 2008 as the Executive Producer, Performing Arts.

Anthony has undertaken a number of roles including as SA Manager Musica Viva Australia, Music Program Manager, Adelaide Festival of Arts, and has worked at the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra and Fanfare Artist Management and managed a number of chamber ensembles.

As Manager, Artistic Planning for the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra from 2003 to 2007, he helped initiate activities such as the Australian Music Program, an annual Sydney Season and the 2005 tour to Japan.

On weekends Anthony can be found searching through antique stores, or enjoying good food at any restaurant with tasty desserts on the menu.

Photo: Chris Herzfeld

Ade’s career began at ABCTV aged 19 working on many iconic Australian TV shows including COUNTDOWN REVOLUTION and THE BIG GIG. Other highlights include being CEO of Ten on Ten Pictures and Enfiniti Productions (Malaysia) where he was a co-producer for what was then the biggest historical epic film in Malaysia’s history, PUTERI GUNUNG LEDANG (A LEGENDARY LOVE), the first film from Malaysia to have been shortlisted in consideration for Oscar nomination. Ade was a producer of SALAM CAFÉ (SBS 2008), the first ever Muslim entertainment program screened in prime time in the Western world, and co-produced KAMBING JANTAN (THE MALE GOAT) which reached number one at the Indonesian box office.

In 2011, Ade joined the not-for-profit board of Disability Media Australia, just three days prior to a massive stroke. After this forced six-year hiatus, in 2017 he completed and graduated in the Master of Screen Arts & Business (AFTRS). In 2019 Ade was a producer of AMAR (SBS); a short film exploring discrimination and celebrating inclusion. Ade is also a best-selling author. As an Indonesian-born Australian from a Muslim family, and as a stroke survivor living with disability, Ade contributes a rich and unique perspective on inclusive storytelling.

Leading international scholar of disability, marginality and global inequality. Currently Canada Excellence Research Chair in Health Equity and Community Wellbeing and Professor, School of Disability Studies, University of Toronto. Prior to this, based at the Institute for Culture and Society and the School of Social Sciences at Western Sydney University. Research focus: intersectionality, including gender, disability, race and ethnicity and Indigeneity.

Karen has extensive expertise in collaborating directly with marginalised communities that experience poor health outcomes due to intensive social, emotional, cultural and economic inequality. Over the years, her unique empirical work has helped bridge numerous divides, resulting in diverse communities gaining more equitable access to disability, health and social service institutions across Australia, South Asia and South-East Asia. Her work is internationally renowned and impactful in informing global disability and inequality policy debates, advocacy and research.

Through numerous projects, she has built long-term partnerships across a wide range of organisations, from large multinational corporations like Microsoft UK to global policy institutes like NATO, the United Nations, and Minority Rights Group. Her collaborations also extend to smaller, precariously funded service providers, including Diversity Arts Australia, the Multicultural Disability Advocacy Association, BlaQ Aboriginal Corporation, and the National Centre for Indigenous Excellence.

Phebe Chan is a development professional specialising in philanthropy, partnerships, and commercialization, bringing a wealth of experience across the arts, commercial property, and philanthropy sectors. Currently a member of the MCA Next Committee, Phebe has served on notable boards, including Writing NSW, Art Month, UNSW Art & Culture Committee, and the Sydney Living Museum Curatorial and Engagement Committee.

Professor James Arvanitakis is the Director of the Forrest Research Foundation.

James has 20-year experience in the higher education sector having also had successful careers in finance and the not-for profit sector. As an educator, researcher and public commentator, James was the driving force behind several innovative programs at Western Sydney University where he worked for fifteen years including the establishment of The Academy, and the Graduate Research School. Most recently he was the Pro Vice Chancellor (Engagement and Advancement).

James is a Fulbright alumni, having spent 12 months at the University of Wyoming as the Milward L Simpson Fulbright Fellow.

James is internationally recognised for his innovative teaching, receiving the Prime Minister’s University Teacher of the Year Award (2012) and named an Eminent Researcher by the Australia India Education Council (2015).

In 2021, he was appointed the inaugural Patron of Diversity Arts Australia in recognition of his commitment to promoting a cultural sector that reflects the rich diversity of Australia. He is also an academic fellow of the Australia India Institute and on the Advisory Board of the Herbert and Valmae Freilich Project for the Study of Bigotry. He has over 100 publications and is a regular media commentator often seen on the ABC. His research areas include trust, US politics, water security and the future of democracies. He tweets at @jarvanitakis

Amiina Dulull is a financial services lawyer with over three years of experience, deeply committed to advocating for equity and inclusion. Amiina strives to give back to the community by contributing to not-for-profit (NFP) organisations, especially to the ones that seek to enable a fairer, more inclusive, and democratic voice of underrepresented groups and perspectives. Her passion for supporting vulnerable groups has led me to volunteer with organisations like the Refugee Legal, Digital Law Association, and YMCA Whittlesea. Amiina’s involvement in the NFP industry has been a source of immense fulfillment. As the membership manager of the Digital Law Association and Co-Lead of the Partners and People portfolio, she have actively contributed to fostering a sense of community and promoting inclusivity within the legal sector. Also, serving as a Board Member of YMCA Whittlesea has allowed Amiina to contribute to empowering the youth and supporting families in need, solidifying my dedication to social impact.

Melina is an accomplished philanthropy professional with in-depth experience in major gifts fundraising and capital campaigns. With a Master’s in Economics from the University of Cologne, she brings a strategic approach and deep understanding of donor motivations to the cultivation of lasting relationships with philanthropic partners. With extensive knowledge of the non-profit sector, Melina has achieved notable fundraising success across higher education, healthcare, and medical research. She is driven by her genuine passion for empowering organisations in their mission to effect positive change.