Introducing our specialist team ...
Anna Rooke - CEO
Anna brings a wealth of experience in commercialisation support. Prior to moving to Australia, Anna worked for more than 10 years supporting the growth of bioscience, creative, digital and arts based businesses in the United Kingdom.
Anna was responsible for the strategic and operational development of the UK’s first national ‘Science City’ in which 2,700 new employment opportunities and 70 start-up companies were created. She also created the first dedicated $1 million proof of principle fund in Yorkshire to enable creative entrepreneurs to explore the potential of their business venture.
Anna’s goal is to help develop a healthy and expanding creative industries sector in Australia, with QUT’s Creative Enterprise Australia (CEA) being at the centre of the country’s business support and knowledge transfer networks.
Joanne Kenny - Film and TV Industry Advisor
For someone who started in the film industry by driving a high-ranking Coca-Cola executive around in a tarago van, Joanne Kenny can be justly proud of what she has achieved in her career. After 20 years in the industry and having worked with some of entertainment’s greats, Joanne has found her true cause in helping to grow Queensland's future film and television production talent.
Through her work, Joanne aims to assist young people to find their inspiration and achieve their dreams while identifying and nurturing talent early.
Cynthia Macnee - Client Services & Operations Manager
Cynthia has more than 20 years operational and management experience working in the creative arts and entertainment industries. Her experience ranges from live television productions in New York to regional arts and cultural development in New Zealand and Australia. She has a breadth of experience supporting the development of creative industries and has a portfolio including film and video production, policy writing, community consultation, public arts management, sponsorship planning, marketing and events.
Kay McMahon, Fashion Business Advisor
Kay has more than 20 years experience in the volatile and chaotic fashion and lifestyle industry. Her fashion experience ranges from marketing consultant to various designers/labels and start-ups, buyer, manager, part-owner and manager of her own label and outlet, wholesaler, retail assistant, training and staff consultant to various retail outlets, overseas work and study tours, and fashion industry lecturer.
She has been a marketing and public relations consultant, with more than 10 years experience in high profile positions both in Australia and the UK. Here she liaised with several British fashion firms such as Topshop and Miss Selfridge and supervised their regional press and public relations.
For over 15 years, she has specialised in helping 'start-ups', and has acted as an advisor in fashion industry logistics and the consumer, economic and social trends affecting the industry.
Kim Jenkins - Group Accountant
Kim joined our team in May 2010 and brings years of small business management experience after having run her own small business for the past 10 years. In that role, she was responsible for all of the financial, legal, compliance and operational functions of the business. Kim holds a Commerce degree majoring in Accounting and Finance. Prior to running her own business, Kim worked for many years in the finance industry, finishing her career as a Private Bank Manager.
Nicole Kielly-Coleman - Creative Industries Transition Industry Liaison Officer
Nicole is an accomplished event and relationship manager and administrator.
With 12 years experience in the hospitality industry in a variety of roles including Executive Assistant, Event Manager and managing a hotel apartment complex, Nicole has a range of planning skills which were originally honed in the legal field.
Nicole also has experience in the not-for-profit sector in community business partnerships. Previously, she was responsible for the management of events and development of corporate and community partnerships for the Leukaemia Foundation.
Now, Nicole co-ordinates QUT Creative Industries Transitions Program providing students with internship opportunities. In this role, she works with, amongst others, our clients to develop partnerships for the program. Nicole supports our team in event management, website administration and client communications.
Cara Threlfall – Administration Officer
Cara joined us in January 2010 and has a wealth of office management and administration experience in a variety of fields including the financial and not-for-profit sectors.
Cara provides essential administrative support to the Chief Executive Officer, Operations Manager and client businesses for CEA. She also co-ordinates and supports the operations including reception and administrative tasks, financial processing, and building and customer management.