Who We Are

Sandy Gildea (Chairperson)

Sandy has worked in film and television for over 10 years. After managing the New Zealand Film Commission’s short film slate for four and a half years she headed to London where she took up a six-month contract as Marketing Consultant for the Creative Industries at NZTE. Sandy has also held positions at the New Zealand Screen Council and Creative New Zealand. She currently works for the Screen Production and Development Association (SPADA) as its Policy and Events Manager.

William Donaldson (Trustee)

William is a director, performer, manager, technician and a teacher. William Donaldson has been involved with Young and Hungry for 3 years. He first began as a Stage Manager and performer for the play “Butt Ugly” in 2006. In 2008 he acted in “Swan Song” and became a board member of the Young and Hungry Arts Trust. He believes that Young and Hungry gives young emerging artists the experience of participating in industry standard theatre and teaches them valuable performance and theatre making skills which can only be taught by being involved in this programme. He believes that Young and Hungry allows young people the chance to write, view and perform in theatre by young people for young people.

Brianne Kerr (Trustee)

Brianne Kerr set up her own freelance publicity business 2004 and has been run off her feet ever since. As the publicist for over 150 diverse artistic projects in the last four years Bri has obtained extensive media coverage and used her expertise to get ‘bums on seats’ for theatre, dance shows, festivals, bands and exhibitions. Bri started on the road as a publicist by becoming a Young and Hungry publicity mentee in 2002, 2003 and 2004. She then went on to become a mentor in 2005, 2007, 2008 and 2009.

Vicki Cooksley (Trustee)

Vicki is a graduate of Victoria University and Toi Whakaari technical production course. Vicki’s first involvement with Young and Hungry was in 1998 as a participant, since then she has been the production manager in 2001 and stage management mentor in 2010. She has spent the last 10 years working as a Production Manager, Stage Manager and Technician for companies including Centrepoint Theatre, NZ Opera, the Royal New Zealand Ballet, WOW, The Conch and various arts festivals. She is currently the operations manager for Metro Productions and is excited to be able to share the skills and knowledge with the Young and Hungry board and New Zealand’s emerging practitioners.

Diana McAlpine (Trustee)

Diana is an Organisational Psychologist who is working as a Freelance Human Resources Consultant. She is currently consulting to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Prior to this she has held senior HR roles within private and public sectors. She has a depth of experience in strategy development, organisational development and change. Diana is passionate about the Arts. Her involvement has been as a theatre and festival goer while also enjoying the NZ literary and art scene. She is an amateur singer performing at friends and family weddings and participating in choirs.

Diana Cable (Programme & Partnerships Manager)

Diana has many years experience as an arts administrator. Her roles have included Production & Company Manager for the Wellington City Opera, a Music Producer at Radio New Zealand Concert, Artistic Administrator of the New Zealand International Arts Festival, Operations Manager at Chamber Music New Zealand and she worked for seven years as an independent producer.