Meet the Executive

Interpretation Australia relies on the voluntary input of those members who join our Executive. Their actions ensure that the Association provides events and resources for its members and takes advantage of new opportunities.

2022/23 Office Bearers

Kylie Christian

President

Kylie Christian is a Sydney-based heritage professional who specialises in interpretation planning and delivery. She has worked in the industry for over 25 years. Kylie has a degree in history from Macquarie University, is a professional photographer, an award-winning digital and interpretation/exhibition designer, and is a certified project manager. She is currently undertaking postgraduate research in heritage and interpretation with the University of Leicester, UK, and has recently been certified by the National Association for Interpretation (USA). Kylie is also the Side Event Focal Point on the ICOMOS GA2023 Executive Committee and NSW Chapter Councillor for the Australia Institute of Project Management.

Kylie works across a diverse range of heritage projects throughout Australia and has expertise in interpretation development and implementation, cultural values consultation, stakeholder engagement, assessment and policy development, as well as project management of complex cultural landscapes and state significant level developments. Additionally, she is the founder of a heritage education and archive initiative that aims to provide heritage training and resources to the greater community.

Kylie previously served as President of Interpretation Australia from 2017-2019 and as Treasurer from 2019-2021.

Vacant

Vice President

Kerime Danis

Secretary

Kerime Danis is trained as an architect and heritage consultant with 39 years of experience in heritage conservation and architecture both in Australia and in the Turkish Republic. She is the Director-Heritage at City Plan, working with a range of public and private sector clients and is actively involved in the development of sound conservation philosophy, practice and guidelines nationally and internationally. Kerime has been an active and influential member of ICOMOS since 2003 where she contributes to increasing knowledge and sharing the principles of heritage best practice. She is a past President of Australia ICOMOS and is the current Secretary-General of ICOMOS ICIP (International Scientific Committee for Interpretation and Preservation of Cultural Heritage Sites).

Kerime is also the current Secretary of Interpretation Australia, a role she has been serving the organisation since 2019. Kerime actively promotes the young and early career practitioners in the heritage field and is the current NSW State coordinator of the Australia ICOMOS Mentoring Program.

Kerime has been involved in Pacific heritage matters since 2011 and was the coordinator for the 2015 Capacity Building Workshop held in Levuka, Fiji. She was also the convenor of the joint Australia ICOMOS and ICOMOS Pasifika conference the CULTURE: Conserving it Together in 2018. Kerime is also an expert member of ICOMOS ISC ES+CC and ISC-SBH. She is the co-convenor of the Australia ICOMOS Caring for Country Committee holding webinars on climate change and its impact on the traditional practices and cultures both in Australia and the Pacific.

Kerime provides extensively peer reviews and acts as an expert witness in the Land & Environment Court of NSW for private owners/ large developers, State government agencies and local councils.

Beata Kade

Treasurer

Beata Kade is the Managing  Director of Art of Multimedia, an interactive design studio that crafts compelling communications and immersive cultural experiences for enduring impact.

A producer with 35 years experience in communications and over 20 years creating natural, cultural and built heritage interpretation, Beata specialises in strategic and conceptual development, leading a multi-disciplinary team that developed numerous award-winning films and digital projects for Australia’s diverse cultural institutions.

Beata also developed hundreds of marketing, community education, change management, safety and staff engagement solutions for diverse federal, state and local government, not-for-profit and private sector clients.

A founding member of the Western Sydney IT Cluster and past Director of the Small Business Development Corporation, an advisory board to the NSW Minister of Small Business and a Director of Affordable Community Housing Ltd, a not-for-profit provider of community housing.

Beata served as Treasurer of Interpretation Australia in 2011-2013 and returns in 2021 with the goal of working with the Board to take Interpretation Australia to a new level of sustainability, value and support for our diverse members who deliver interpretation across Australia.

Stephanie Ambrosia

General Executive Member

Stephanie Ambrosia has 12 years of experience as a professional educator. She is a Certified Interpretive Guide and Certified Interpretive Guide Trainer with the National Association for Interpretation (USA). Her areas of expertise include digital interpretation, interpretive media, and face-to-face program design and delivery. 

Stephanie has led field interpretation about the natural and cultural heritage of notable sites throughout California and Texas. She currently works at a management level to oversee the development and implementation of programs and projects for the State of California, having worked for both the Department of Fish & Wildlife and California State Parks

Stephanie has presented at national interpretation conferences in the U.S. and Australia. This is her first role within the IA Executive and she aims to learn from fellow Executive members and support the IA membership at large with opportunities to grow professionally. 

Joshua Madden

General Executive Member

Joshua is an archaeologist with over 12 years’ experience specialising in managing archaeology in Australia and specifically New South Wales. He enjoys learning and developing his understanding of heritage and sustainability theory and how the industry can integrate sustainability theory and practice in to archaeology and heritage. He loves engaging with community and stakeholders to understand what the community values and how to best ensure that these are valued and celebrated now and into the future. As an archaeologist he works with multi-disciplinary teams to bring a unique perspective to the interpretation process from public archaeology open days to heritage interpretation installations and education programs. 

Kira Paznikov

Membership Portfolio

Kira has 20 years experience in the information services field, with postgraduate qualifications in Library Services, Archives and Records Management. Currently a Heritage Officer at Heritage Now, a Sydney and Hunter based heritage consultancy, she was recently involved in the production of the Newcastle Archaeology Walk; a digital walking trail bringing the archaeology of Newcastle alive.  Her background as a Librarian in public and state libraries in New South Wales and the Northern Territory has forged extensive skills in community engagement, program development and delivery, and providing services to CALD (Culturally and linguistically diverse) communities. Kira enjoys connecting people with information, and is an advocate for lifelong learning and the power of effective interpretation as a catalyst for transformative experience.

2022/23 Non-Executive Roles

 

Executive Co-ordinators & Portfolio Managers

First Nations – Interpreting Culture & Country Portfolio: Kerime Danis | Vacant
Resources Portfolio: Kerime Danis | Vacant
Digital Engagement (Socials) Portfolio: Stephanie Ambrosia & Felicity Coleman | Jacqui Sanders
Website Portfolio: Kylie Christian
Membership Engagement Portfolio: Benjamin Clarke | Kira Paznikov
Awards Portfolio: Executive Committee | Vacant
Conference/Events Convenor: Kylie Christian | Vacant
Sponsorship Portfolio: Beata Kade | Vacant
Webinars/Podcasts Portfolio: Kylie Christian | Naias Mingo-Poch and John Pastorelli
Newsletter Portfolio: Joshua Madden

 

Guiding Organisation Association

Representative:

 

IA Administrative Officer

Benjamin Clarke

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