Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras has officially appointed Jesse Matheson as its new chief executive, formalising a leadership transition that has unfolded during one of the most turbulent periods in the organisation's recent history.
Matheson, a long-time figure within Mardi Gras leadership, previously served on the board from 2017–2022, was board co-chair during the COVID-19 pandemic, acted as company secretary, and stepped in as interim chief executive earlier this year, replacing Gil Beckwith, who announced in May that she would depart in June.
He also served as a director of Sydney WorldPride and has held strategy and governance roles at CSIRO's Data61 and the University of New South Wales. His involvement with Mardi Gras stretches back to his teenage years, having first marched in the parade at age 15 with youth service Twenty10, and in 2019 he also ran unsuccessfully as a political candidate for the Keep Sydney Open Party in the NSW state election.
Under his interim leadership, Mardi Gras began a modernisation push, including launching a year-round mobile app and rolling out a refreshed visual identity aimed at improving vibrancy, inclusivity and user experience.
The app replaces the organisation's printed festival guide and, Matheson told Gay Sydney News recently, is cheaper overall than the printed program. "It can be monetised throughout the year as well," he said, "which is fantastic for our future sustainability as an organisation. We have an absolutely fantastic developer who has seen our vision. This is actually a new use case for his platform."
But Matheson steps into the permanent role against a backdrop of significant staff unrest, governance concerns and financial pressure. In July, an internal revolt erupted over his interim appointment as CEO.
That revolt included a letter to the charity's board, signed by 13 of the organisation's 15 operations staff and leaked to Gay Sydney News, warning it that choosing Matheson presented a “reputational and governance risk". Gay Sydney News does not suggest that staff concerns about Matheson’s appointment and its potential impact on Mardi Gras’ reputation are substantiated – only that they had been raised.
Staff pointed to past writings and online activity, including a 2012 column Matheson penned titled "I'm a sexual racist", which argued racial preferences in sexual attraction were not discriminatory, and a 2023 Facebook comment in which he called Senator Lidia Thorpe an "idiot" following her protest on the parade route.
Staff said the material could damage relationships with corporate partners "including potential activation of [sponsorship] termination clauses and a potential funding loss in excess of 3 million dollars".
In September, Gay Sydney News revealed American Express had withdrawn its sponsorship of the 2026 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras midway through its two-year contractual agreement, but that it had still fulfilled its financial obligations for that year's festival. Gay Sydney News does not suggest American Express withdrew its sponsorship because of Matheson’s appointment as interim CEO.
A source with knowledge of the agreement, who was not permitted to speak publicly about it, said at the time it was correct to report that the American Express’ sponsorship was valued between $500,000 and $1 million per year. With the credit card giant unlikely to return in 2027 and beyond, Mardi Gras now faces the task of filling a major financial shortfall with another sponsor.
Shortly after his interim elevation, a third of the operational workforce resigned, including senior staff overseeing design, community engagement and communications. At the time, Gay Sydney News reported that several staff alleged a lack of transparency and consultation in the board's CEO selection process. Gay Sydney News does not suggest that Matheson is unqualified for the role.
The organisation has also been grappling with financial instability. Its 2023–24 statements revealed a $1.2 million deficit despite an emergency $1.1 million rescue package from Destination NSW and the City of Sydney. Combined with the staff exodus and internal governance dispute, the transition to new leadership left the organisation facing difficult questions about its direction.
"It is an honour to lead Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras as we approach our 50th anniversary – a milestone that invites us to reflect on all we have achieved and to look ahead with purpose and pride," Matheson said in a media release issued on Friday.
"This festival exists because hundreds of thousands of people – volunteers, members, queer businesses, community, and our incredible Mardi Gras team – have poured their energy, creativity and courage into building something bigger, louder and braver than any one of us.
"My priority is to strengthen how we connect, create and care for each other, and to shape a Mardi Gras that is inclusive, innovative and ready for the future. I look forward to working with the Board, the Mardi Gras team and our community to bring this vision to life."
Board co-chairs Daniel Mitsuru Delisle and Kathy Pavlich said the appointment followed a "thorough and transparent recruitment process" and that the board was "confident that Jesse is the right leader for this moment in our history".
"Throughout his time as interim CEO, Jesse has demonstrated calm leadership, strong organisational stewardship and a deep commitment to our communities," they said.
"As we approach our 50th anniversary, the board is confident that Jesse brings the strategic focus, collaborative style and clarity of vision needed to guide Mardi Gras into its next chapter. We look forward to working closely with him to realise this next phase of growth and renewal."
Mardi Gras said Matheson will focus on "strengthening trust, deepening community engagement and delivering a 2026 festival program that honours almost five decades of activism, creativity and pride, while shaping the next chapter of LGBTQIA+ inclusion in Australia".
Editor’s note: Journalist Ben Grubb pays $50 annually for Mardi Gras membership to access discounts, including at retail stores and bars, but does not use the membership’s voting rights.
Ben Grubb is the founder and editor of Gay Sydney News, an independent publication covering LGBTQIA+ news. A journalist with more than 15 years' experience, he has reported and edited for The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, WAToday, Brisbane Times, The Australian Financial Review, News.com.au, ZDNet, TelecomTimes and iTnews, primarily on the topic of technology. He previously hosted The Informer, a queer current affairs program on Melbourne’s JOY 94.9 radio station, and contributes to LGBTQIA+ media including Stun Magazine. Ben has also appeared as a technology commentator on Channel Ten's The Project, ABC RN’s Download This Show and commercial radio stations 2UE, 2GB and 6PR. Contact Ben: [email protected]
