Sydney, Australia: Michael Gonski has been appointed chair of an expanded Carriageworks board.
Mr Gonski is a partner at law firm Herbert Smith Freehills and also chairs Reach Out Australia, a digital mental health platform. He was founding chair of the Sydney Story Factory and is a past director of Philanthropy Australia and a past young philanthropist of the year.
He stepped into the role of chair following the departure of Cass O’Connor, who departed in November 2023 after chairing Carriageworks since 2020.
“Cass has been an outstanding chair, successfully leading the organisation through the pandemic to build stronger and more secure foundations for the organisation. We will miss her abundant talent, skill and dedication,” Mr Gonski said.
Carriageworks shaped Sydney for more than a century by supporting the city’s expanding railway network, but today stands as one of Australia’s leading cultural precincts, representing diverse communities with an ambitious, radical and inclusive program.
“As we approach the organisation’s twentieth anniversary, Carriageworks is preparing for a new chapter supported by an energetic board that will include new directors Laura Berry and Jake Thompson,” Mike said.
Ms Berry is the former chief executive of Supply Nation and brings to Carriageworks more than two decades of experience in stakeholder engagement and reputation management as both an executive and board director. She also serves on the board of the Taronga Conservation Society.
Mr Thompson, a Wiradjuri Gibir (man), has built a career in community engagement, marketing, philanthropy and corporate partnership. His grandfather worked at Carriageworks in the 1970s, and 35 years later Jake himself performed in the building at the Platform 1 Hip-Hop Festival in 2009.
Carriageworks is an independent cultural precinct that works closely with and enjoys support from the New South Wales Government.
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