Sue has more than three decades of executive leadership across the arts, health, education and not-for-profit sectors, with particular expertise in governance, organisational change, cultural policy and stakeholder engagement.
Sue has built a career of more than three decades across the arts, health, education and not-for-profit sectors. Originally trained as a social worker, she brings a strong focus on social justice, organisational sustainability and cultural change to every role. She is known for her ability to revitalise organisations, strengthen partnerships with artists, funders and communities, and steer companies through periods of transformation and challenge.
Her executive leadership includes serving as Executive Director and Executive Producer of Belvoir St Theatre, Executive Director of Queensland Theatre, and Executive Director of the Australian Major Performing Arts Group. Across her producing career she has overseen more than 100 theatre productions touring nationally and internationally. Beyond theatre, she has held senior roles at the UNSW Foundation, South East Arts in the UK, Sydney Symphony, Arts NSW and the Health Care Complaints Commission, and has contributed to numerous government advisory boards, funding committees and not-for-profit boards.
Sue contributes deep expertise in governance, stakeholder engagement, organisational strategy and social policy. She brings particular insight into how organisations in complex environments can navigate change, build trust and deliver meaningful outcomes for the communities they serve.
Sue led Belvoir as Executive Director and Co-CEO from 2017 to 2022, and continued as Executive Producer to early 2023. Under her leadership Belvoir delivered acclaimed and award-winning productions, strengthened its financial position, deepened its commitment to new Australian writing and First Nations work, and navigated the company through the COVID-19 shutdowns. She oversaw strategy, operations, fundraising, stakeholder engagement and international touring for one of Australia's most celebrated theatre companies.
Sue led Queensland Theatre from 2012 to 2017, during which time the company's financial position was bolstered by record ticket sales, increased corporate partnerships and philanthropy, significant national touring and numerous industry awards. She strengthened the organisation's strategic direction, artist relationships and audience engagement across Queensland and nationally.
Sue served as Executive Director of AMPAG from 2009 to 2012, leading the national lobbying and advocacy body representing Australia's 28 major performing arts companies. In this role she led policy development, government advocacy, digital strategy and sector-wide change management on behalf of the country's leading theatre, music, dance, circus and opera companies.
Sue held senior roles at the NSW Ministry for the Arts and Arts NSW across nearly a decade, managing a $36 million cultural grants program, leading strategic planning and policy development, coordinating the Arts Advisory Council and its sub-committees, and representing the Ministry on Cultural Ministers Council sub-committees. This role gave her deep insight into government funding, cultural policy and the intersection of public investment and arts outcomes.
Master of Social Work (with Merit), Social Policy, University of Sydney
Bachelor of Social Studies, Social Work, University of Sydney
Graduate, Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD)
Asialink Leaders Course, University of Melbourne
Executive Producer, Sue Donnelly and Associates (2023–present)
Graduate and Member, Australian Institute of Company Directors
Member, Chief Executive Women (CEW)
Member, International Council of Museums (ICOM)
Lifetime Member, Live Performance Australia
