Samantha joined Rock Art Australia as CEO in September 2023 and brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of strategic and operational leadership, philanthropic engagement and grant funding, business development and planning, community engagement and partnership and higher education research and training. She has led transformational and innovative large-scale projects, increased partnership and investment and successfully developed organisational culture, implemented change management and professional development.

Samantha has worked in numerous international and national cultural organisations and has extensive professional experience in the preservation of cultural heritage. She has held leadership roles in the public and private sectors through employment and volunteer committee positions including Arts Centre Melbourne (ACM), Museums Victoria, and the Australian Institute for the Conservation of Cultural Materials (AICCM), the Australian Museum and Galleries Association (AMaGA Vic) and as a consultant for numerous local council and remote community organisations.

Samantha has years of experience in engaging and partnering with Aboriginal stakeholders and communities across Australia to create impact and outcomes which benefit all partners. She has worked with remote arts centres including in the Kimberley and Arnhem Land and led the conservation program for Museum Victoria’s award winning First Peoples exhibition. She developed and delivered practical conservation training to Aboriginal community members through peak bodies such as the Arnhem Northern and Kimberly Artists (ANKA), the University of Melbourne’s Grimwade Centre for the Conservation of Cultural Materials (GCCMC) and La Trobe University’s Certificate IV in Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Management.

Samantha holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in the Conservation of Cultural Materials and is currently completing a PhD about the need and impact of preserving remote Aboriginal community cultural collections. She has received numerous awards for advanced training and academic research in Australia and overseas, has presented at national and international conferences and published in peer reviewed journals and books.

Liz joined our team in September 2023. Liz has been working with Aboriginal people on cultural resource management for the mining sector since 2021, as well as working with Aboriginal communities in marine park management, cultural tourism and heritage advocacy since 2014. She is an archaeologist and brings a wealth of experience building relationships with traditional owner groups in the Kimberley and managing programs and agreements. Liz has a passion for the protection and promotion of Aboriginal rock art and heritage.

Liz is based in her hometown of Broome, Western Australia, and will assist Samantha and RAA’s Science Advisory Council to extend partnerships in remote communities and strengthen RAA’s research program, working with both Aboriginal communities, universities and researchers across Australia.

Simone joined us in June 2021 supporting administration and events and in July 2023 was promoted to Manager Events and Administration.  She brings professional experience in administration, events, and travel coordination, and a wonderful enthusiasm to the role.

For more than 12 years Simone worked in wholesale travel as a team leader and group & events specialist. She also has experience in the finance sector, sales, and marketing.

As Events Manager Simone is managing our fundraising and donor engagement events as well as the 5-city lecture series and RAA’s annual Science Workshop and board meetings. Simone has a Bachelor of Tourism and Bachelor of Business from Monash University and likes to spend time with her family, including her two small children.