NORPA Board
meet the board
Damian Kassabgi
Damian brings serious energy, heart and experience to the table as NORPA’s chair. He has extensive experience in public policy and regulatory affairs, having served as Senior Manager, Public Policy at Google and in leadership positions at Uber, Afterpay and Block. Damian also worked at the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, where he contributed to national policy development. He is passionate about fostering collaboration between government and industry to drive innovation, job creation, and economic growth across Australia.
Dr Meredith Wray
Meredith brings a wealth of knowledge in sustainable tourism, destination management, and cultural tourism, particularly for regional communities. With a PhD in tourism and extensive experience working with governments, industry, and tourism organisations, she deeply understands the value of culture in regional development. A former academic at Southern Cross University and current Board Director at Destination North Coast, Meredith’s insight and strategic thinking are a huge asset to NORPA as we grow our role in the cultural and creative life of the region.
Kate Stroud
Kate is a vision hunter, a visual communicator, artist, sign-writer and large-scale muralist, whose joyful, provocative and sometimes rebellious works are synonymous with the outspoken and creative spirit of the Northern Rivers region. Her vibrant murals and signs adorn laneways, footpaths, walls, arcades, shopfronts, and the interiors of local businesses from Lismore to Perth, and chances are she has designed the logo or interior of that local businesses you love. A fierce advocate for community-led development and a vibrant creative economy, Kate’s work is a constant celebration of identity and survival.
Mitzi Zaphir
Mitzi is a general manager and producer who has worked in the cultural industries for over 35 years. Following years of managing theatre companies and working in local government cultural development, she began working in large scale event production on projects such as the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the Melbourne Commonwealth Games, Sydney’s New Year’s Eve and White Night in Melbourne and regional Victoria. Mitzi entered the heady world of musical theatre in the mid 2000s and has worked on countless national and international productions and tours.
Bill Harris
Bill is a graduate of the University of Melbourne and NIDA (Technical Production). He has held senior roles including Production Director for the Adelaide Festival, Head of Programming at Sydney Festival, and Executive Producer at Global Creatures. He has worked across major institutions such as the Australian National Maritime Museum, Erth, Carriageworks, Big hART, and City Recital Hall. Bill was recently appointed an inaugural Patron of Performing Lines Ltd.
Edwina Johnson
Edwina is an Artistic Director who is passionate about connecting audiences with big ideas and bringing communities together through shared story. She was Director of Byron Writers Festival for eight years with previous artistic programming and curatorial roles at Sydney Writers' Festival, Faber Writing Academy and Shakespeare & Co Festival, Paris, contributing to a career immersed in the world of literature, ideas and event management. Edwina is also working with Monkey Baa theatre for young audiences and is especially motivated by social prescribing intended to engage the creative arts sector in broader community healthcare.
Jen Djula
Jen is a business development professional whose career has been shaped by a deep commitment to purpose-driven work, building meaningful collaborations and partnerships that drive social and environmental change. From business founder and private consultant to many years in publishing, fundraising, and community building, Jen brings her expertise in strategic growth and impact to support the ongoing evolution of NORPA. Currently serving as Head of Strategic Partnerships at Small Giants Academy, Jen is focused on accelerating the conscious leadership needed for a regenerative and just future.
Luke Sullivan
An active patron of the arts, Luke started putting roots down in the Northern Rivers having lived in the region for the last 9 years. Along with co-owning legendary local pub The Eltham Hotel, Luke along with his partners of Mosey On In Group, now also run 2 restaurants in Bangalow - Ciao, Mate! and You Beauty. Among other awards You Beauty was recently just awarded NSW Best Regional Restaurant 2024 by Good Food. Luke has a passion for gathering community around music, food, entertainment and the arts.
Mitch King
Mitch is a performing artist, creative producer, and a proud Yaegl and Widjabul Wia-bul man from the Bundjalung nation. His main disciplines are music, theatre, and dance — he loves telling stories through sound, movement and film. Most of his work is related to living on country and what it's like to live in the Northern Rivers — combining cultural and contemporary practices to push his own creative boundaries in order to make space for First Nations communities’ voices and artistry. NORPA has worked extensively with Mitch over many years as an artist and as an emerging creative producer.
honouring david wolff
David Wolff, NORPA Chair 2014-2024
Read about David’s immense contribution to NORPA and his legacy significant. His presence will be felt for many years to come.
