Arts Centre Melbourne appoints new Deputy CEO Tammy Willenberg to leadership team

Arts Centre Melbourne has appointed Tammy Willenberg as its new Deputy CEO, working alongside CEO Karen Quinlan AM. Willenberg comes to Arts Centre Melbourne from Port of Melbourne, where she worked in senior leadership positions – Strategic Program Manager and Port Rail Program Manager – leading major infrastructure transformation projects and acquisitions. She started at Arts Centre Melbourne this week.

Prior to Willenberg’s roles at Port of Melbourne, she held financial leadership positions at Wesfarmers group entities, Target and Coles, where she was accountable for planning and delivery of financial strategy, business change and transformation projects. She also worked at Airservices Australia, leading financial management of its commercial division and designing and executing business improvement and major change projects.

Arts Centre Melbourne Chief Executive Officer Karen Quinlan AM:

I congratulate Tammy on her appointment and look forward to working with her on this next exciting chapter in Arts Centre Melbourne history, as Melbourne’s Arts Precinct Transformation continues to unfold and we reinforce the value of our organisation and the performing arts to the community.

Willenberg:

 She was excited to join the team at Arts Centre Melbourne.

It is a privilege to be appointed as Deputy CEO to support this iconic organisation, Arts Centre Melbourne, bringing my skills and experience to the arts industry.

I look forward most to being an integral part of bringing to life the vision of Reimagining Arts Centre Melbourne, as well as supporting a passionate and dedicated workforce through change to help us transform our arts business for the future.

Willenberg:

 The performing arts had been a mainstay in her life since she was 10 years old.

My mother was a singer and my father a storyteller. I would spend my weekends playing classical piano, singing musical theatre and old jazz standards until eventually I found my way to New Orleans, USA, where I had the opportunity to perform with a few brilliant musicians in tiny hideaway Juke Joints.

I also introduced my daughter to performing arts at a young age, recognising the invaluable life-skill of harnessing creativity, and she is now a ballerina performing internationally with the National Ballet of Canada. For me to be back in the arts industry now so many years later, bringing together my passion for the arts and 25-plus years of business experience, is so exciting.

With its iconic Spire, Arts Centre Melbourne is both an architectural and cultural landmark in Melbourne. It is the flagship of the performing arts in the state of Victoria and the focal point of the cultural precinct in Melbourne.