President & Public Officer – Mike Hennessey – Joined 2008

Mike has over twenty years experience working with Government and industry to define business and operational requirements, benefits and outcomes. He brings to CYT a broad range of sales, marketing and relationship management skills having negotiated and sold many IT & Communications engagements ranging from executive Strategic Planning consultancies, complex Systems Integration contracts, to major Data Centre infrastructure projects.  Mike commenced his ICT career with IBM in 1989, and has progressed through Procurement, Product Marketing, Sales and Sales Management positions with companies including Aspect Computing, CA and IBM.

Vice President – Paul Stapleton – Joined 2009

Paul is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. He brings to CYT a diverse range of experiences developed during a 30 year career as an engineer and manager in commercial, research and government enterprises. Building on a strong engineering background, he has developed a sound understanding of a range of issues including business planning & financing, contracting, project management, corporate structures, governance and contract & commercial law. His current role is as Business Development Manager with a large national IT research and development institute, where he manages the commercialization of technology based research and the development and delivery of a range of international consulting projects.

Treasurer – Nick Stannard – Joined 2010

Nick is currently employed as the Head of Advice at an Australian financial planning group. Working in the broader financial planning industry for over 10 years, Nick has extensive experience in financial management, the provision of complex technical/investment advice and project development through previous roles as a Financial Advisor, Planning Analyst, Estate Planner and Project Manager. He currently holds a Bachelor of Business in Economics and an Advanced Diploma in Financial Services from Kaplan Professional. In his spare time, Nick has been heavily involved in theatre over the last 5 years, primarily as the financial manager of a small, independent theatre company and in set construction/backstage for a wide variety of productions. Beyond his management committee duties, Nick is an active member of the CYT technical team, providing valuable support during all major productions.
 
Secretary – Catherine Prosser – Joined 2009

Catherine Prosser is a former stage and production manager for theatre with additional experience in designing, props making, costumes and puppets, festival and event management and venue operation.  A graduate of the Victorian College of the Arts, Catherine began developing software solutions for the professional theatre industry in 2006, and will launch her first product ‘StageBitz™’, a professional props management tool, in 2011.  In-between product development and professional practice, Catherine has also served on a number of panels and boards, including four years on the ABC Advisory Panel, as a board member of The Street Theatre and a peer on the assessment panels for artsACT’s Theatre & Dance and Film & TV funds as well as the ACT Festival Fund.  She has been a member of the Canberra Youth Theatre Management Committee since 2009.

Member – Gill Huggonet – Joined 2009

Since 2007 Gill Hugonnet has been the Programming Manager of Canberra Theatre Centre, developing, programming and implementing its yearly Subscription season, Children’s presentations and Music at Midday, prior to this she worked as the Centre’s Venue Booking Co-ordinator. Gill graduated from NIDA’s Technical Production course in 1992 and since that time has gained 19 years experience working in the performing arts.  Gill has worked as a production manager, stage manager and a producer for various independent companies including Pork Chops Productions, The Burning House Company and Bell Shakespeare. In 1999 Gill worked as the Marketing Coordinator and then Marketing Manager for Glen Street Theatre before moving interstate where she became the fundraising and marketing coordinator for Melbourne Theatre Company, before moving to Canberra.

Member – Mark Popplewell – Joined 2010

Mark has worked for 4 years as an ACT solicitor with a practice focussing on commercial/administrative litigation, drafting and advice but extending also to criminal and family law.  Mark currently works for O’Connor Harris Barristers and Solicitors.  Prior to commencing work as a solicitor, Mark was employed as policy adviser to a Member of the Legislative Assembly for the ACT.  Mark has a keen interest in opera/musical theatre and regularly sings with the Canberra Opera Chorus supporting the Melbourne Opera Co. in its Canberra performances.