Our team

Proudly born in modern day New Mexico in the American Southwest, as a teenager Chad moved to Bundjalung Yugambeh Country (Gold Coast), where he completed high school and tertiary studies at Griffith University. He has over 10 years industry experience in marketing, communications and events, mostly through his involvement in BLEACH* since the Festival’s inception in 2012. When he’s not at work or doing Jiu Jitsu, you’ll find Chad surfing or walking his dog around Palm Beach – the place he calls home.

“Mum’s side of the family has ties to the Northern Rivers, so I’ve always maintained a connection to the area. I’ve been very fortunate to travel throughout my life, and I can say with certainty how lucky I feel to live and work in such a special place.”

Claire moved to the Gold Coast from Brisbane 12 years ago, so is almost considered a local.

“I was born and raised in Brunswick Heads, so I’ve only ever lived about a 100kms either side of the city,” she says. “The Jellurgal ‘Oceanview Track’ walk is my favourite place on the Coast. It’s a beautiful walk through such a special, spiritual place. Take in the amazing view, hopefully spot a whale or some dolphins and finish up with a dip in Talle Creek.”

Claire has over 10 years experience working in an eclectic mix of events in a variety of industries, including universities, not-for-profits, craft beer and hospitality. Claire has been at Placemakers* Gold Coast for four years and has a passion for large-scale, site-specific work. Claire graduated from Griffith University with a Bachelor of Applied Theatre in 2006 and returned to complete her Master of Arts and Media in 2015.

Jo has worked on the Gold Coast since 2014 alongside great creative industry professionals and key community members passionate about the arts and culture transformation throughout the city.

“Having been raised in Brisbane, frequent trips to the Gold Coast and surrounding hinterland areas were part of family life, and becoming independent with my own wheels, there were many more trips down the highway to go to the beach whenever I could.”

Between 2014 and 2019, Jo was fortunate enough to deliver the annual South Stradbroke Island Indigenous Artist Camp and have unique ‘on country’ experiences alongside the artists.

“If I can get back over to South Stradbroke regularly, I do, but I am happy to connect with other special places on the Coast, like Tallebudgera, Currumbin or Jellurgal (Burleigh headland) for a swim or walk throughout the natural areas.”

Jo has successfully worked across government for 25 years, including a photography cadetship completed in 1999 at the State Library of Queensland. She’s passionate about continuing to document people and places, especially through the arts. Later Jo worked in the City of Gold Coast Arts and Culture unit, and now she’s the First Nation Curator at Placemakers*.

“I love working in the creative arts industry and especially working in a city with a beach lifestyle.”

Jo grew up in Brisbane and spent most of her weekends on the Gold Coast before the pull of the Coast drew her here full-time.

“Our first place was overlooking Tallebudgera Creek and I fell in love with the lifestyle and everyday beach days!” she says. “I then moved to Mermaid Beach, which was amazing, being able to walk to the Nobby shops, restaurants and bars. I now live in Elanora, which is extremely centrally located so I can still enjoy the best of the Gold Coast. I love so many places on the Gold Coast but one of my favourite spots is Burleigh. There is always so much activity, there are places to eat and, of course, the surf to watch on the hill.”

Jo worked in an accounting firm for seven years before moving into providing accounting expertise to the Gold Coast’s leading arts organisations – Placemakers* Gold Coast, The Farm and Everybody Now, to name a few.

Kasmira grew up on the Gold Coast after her family took the leap over the Tasman from New Zealand. From schooling in Benowa to a Science degree at Griffith University, she always seemed to make new friends in the performing arts.

“After graduating I took to the skies and travelled through Europe, Asia and Canada but always called the Gold Coast home.” 

Kasmira has over 15 years experience working in project coordination across a mix of industries, including event management, construction, tourism and community engagement. She has worked in varied roles within the Placemakers* Gold Coast and BLEACH* team, from volunteering in the early days to contracting as a stage manager and projects coordinator, and helping on various events over the years.

When Kasmira is not organising events, she is soaking up the beautiful landscapes of the Gold Coast, either from the ocean, surfing waves, diving or paddling down Currumbin Creek, or riding through the rainforests on her motorbike or camped out under the stars. She also helps to coordinate the Welcome Ceremony at Woodford Folk Festival, making fire props and working alongside Jinabara mob and local ambassadors to build large-scale outdoor community theatre in place.

Her passion for outdoor, site-specific work continues to grow with the awareness of the role of arts and culture plays in our community in telling stories of place, inspired by the landscapes of our coastline and country.

Lindsay holidayed on the Gold Coast as a child, then moved to the Coast in 1984. These days, her favourite places are the beaches and waterways of the northern end of the Coast.

“We hit the shores of Main Beach most days with an early beach walk and we love spending weekend time on the Gold Coast Broadwater,” she says.

With a Bachelor of Business, Hospitality Management, Lindsay has worked across the tourism sector on the Gold Coast for more than 30 years in hotel management, destination marketing and management, stakeholder engagement and most recently as part of the team transitioning The Arts Centre Gold Coast to HOTA Home of the Arts. As a board member for Destination Gold Coast, she also advocates for the tourism industry.

With an established and comprehensive professional network and career history in tourism, property and arts and culture, Lindsay Wallace is a connector, bringing the business and philanthropic community to Placemakers* Gold Coast to create meaningful partnerships in support of the company and the artists we commission.

As a kid, Rosie Dennis moved between Pottsville and Murwillumbah on the NSW Tweed Coast and many of her adolescent adventures were played out on the Gold Coast. These days her favourite place on the Gold Coast is Natural Bridge, the spectacular natural rock and water feature in the hinterland.

After building her arts career in Sydney over the past 20 years, the last six as Director and CEO of Urban Theatre Projects, Rosie is loving re-discovering the Gold Coast as CEO and Artistic Director of BLEACH* Festival and Placemakers* Gold Coast.

“Creating new work with and for a place is something I really love to do and has been a part of my artistic practice for a long time.”

For more than 15 years, Rosie has curated and delivered large-scale cultural experiences with and for a range of stakeholders. She is a well-respected arts leader who is best known for developing and delivering projects in collaboration with diverse social and cultural communities. Her work has contributed to a national conversation about contemporary place-based practice, and the role arts and culture plays in building community and liveable cities.

Prior to joining Placemakers* Gold Coast, Rosie was the CEO/Artistic Director Urban Theatre Projects. During her tenure she curated the award-winning BANKSTOWN:LIVE, conceived and directed the theatrical triptych, Home Country, and directed two documentaries, Bre & Back and One Day for Peace.