Senior Mardi Gras director and parade producer leave organisation

Two senior Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras staff members left the organisation last week while some employees have been recently promoted as the organisation goes on a hiring spree.

Director of marketing, communications and engagement Amy Goodhew-Banks and parade producer Cass Looveer announced last week that it would be their final week with the organisation.

Looveer, who has produced five Sydney Mardi Gras seasons, said she was leaving to move on to a new challenge. “It’s been a privilege and highlight of my career to lead the parade team since 2019,” Looveer said on LinkedIn.

“This event and the festival as a whole changes hearts and minds, saves lives, and fosters love and inclusivity at all times.

“I am so grateful to have worked with incredible team members, suppliers, stakeholders and community groups, and blessed to have made some very dear friends along the way,” Looveer said.

This week Looveer announced she was starting a new position as operations manager of crowd and transport for New Year’s Eve at the City of Sydney council.

Goodhew-Banks, who is now the head of marketing and communication at the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA), said working for Mardi Gras had “been a ride like no other”.

“When I think of Sydney, I think of Mardi Gras,” she said on LinkedIn.

“The colour and energy of this annual celebration reaches around the world and I’m so fortunate to have been a part of it. This small organisation works tirelessly to make space and champion equality and in a world marked by intolerance and hate, this is lifesaving work.”

Goodhew-Banks started as Sydney Mardi Gras’ marketing, communications and engagement director in March 2023. Prior to that, she was a senior marketing manager at Sydney WordPride for 10 months.

Meanwhile, Jake Troncone has been promoted from festival marketing and communications manager to head of festival marketing and communications; Grace Darling Armand – previously the festival director and artistic director of Victoria’s Gaytimes Festival – has been hired as executive producer; and
Dusty Hartland has been promoted from strategic inclusion and engagement manager to head of engagement.

In December, Kimberley Connor – who worked on Heart Break High season 2 and The Voice Australia – was hired as parade creative director and designer on a contract.

Mardi Gras is now on the hunt for a company secretary; a festival marketing and communications executive on an 8-month contract ($70,000 – $80,000 per year); a parade producer ($80,000-$100,000 per year); a festival content co-ordinator on a 6-month contract ($60,000 – $65,000 per year); and a business and finance manager ($95,000 – $115,000 per year).

“If you’re dedicated to creating unforgettable experiences and passionate about supporting LGBTQIA+ communities, we would love to hear from you,” Mardi Gras told GSN.

After almost 5 years as Mardi Gras’ chief financial officer, Gil Beckwith became the organisation’s chief executive in October last year after serving a short stint as its acting chief.

Mardi Gras told GSN it recruited Adam Biskupiak-Klimowicz as its chief financial officer to see it through the 2024 festival. This role is now advertised as the business and finance manager position, it said.

Mardi Gras’ former director of programming and operations Peter John Gahan announced in May that he would leave the organisation at the end of June after four years with the organisation.