AFTRS is delighted to announce the appointment of two new executive roles and a new member to the Council. Sharon Zeeman has been appointed to the role of Director of People and Culture. Joanne Herron has been appointed Chief Financial Officer. AFTRS also welcomes highly experienced industry leader, Debra Richards, as a Governor General appointment to the nine-member AFTRS Council.
Sharon Zeeman is a proud Gamilaroi woman and an arts and education multi-disciplinarian. She takes up the position of Director of People and Culture having acted in the role at various times recently and after two years as the much-respected Student Engagement Manager at AFTRS. Sharon has a background in teaching, performance and writing for stage and completed a Bachelor of Education at the University of Southern Queensland. Previous roles include as Education Co-ordinator at Belvoir St Theatre and the Producer of Learning Programs at Sydney Living Museum.
Joanne Herron is an experienced finance professional, who most recently has been working in the education section as Lead Finance Business Partner at the University of New South Wales, predominantly with the UNSW Business School and Faculty of Law and Justice. Qualifying as a chartered accountant with Ernst & Young, she has previously held senior roles at Foxtel, Archant Media (UK) and News Corp Australia.
Debra Richards is currently the Director, Production Policy, APAC at Netflix and prior to that she was CEO of Ausfilm. She has also held senior roles at ASTRA and the Australian Broadcasting Authority.
“I am delighted to be welcoming Sharon and Joanne to the AFTRS Executive team and Debra to Council. All three women are highly experienced leaders, passionate about the potential of education to facilitate meaningful change. Sharon has a deep knowledge of AFTRS and the ethos and ambitions of the School. Joanne brings fresh eyes and a wealth of Australian and international business experience to the team. Debra has incredible experience, across multiple senior roles in industry, to bring to Council and support the School’s strategic goals in this rapidly changing environment,” said AFTRS CEO Dr Nell Greenwood.
