PATRON

Genevieve Jacobs AM is the CEO of Hands Across Canberra, the ACT's community foundation. She was formerly a journalist for 30 years, working in print, radio and digital media as a longtime ABC Canberra presenter and, more recently, the Group Editor for Region Media.

PRESIDENT

After gaining his design qualifications in Belgium, Peter practiced as a Design Architect, both corporately and as a private practitioner, realising many architectural projects in Europe and in Australia.

His passion for design steered Peter's focus towards the teaching profession and he has dedicated the last thirty years to vocational design education at tertiary, undergraduate and post-graduate levels, with a special emphasis on broadening collaborative links with institutions worldwide.

He was Dean of the Faculty of Design at the Canberra Institute of Technology from 2004 until 2010 when he became Head of the School of Design and Associate Dean International at the University of Canberra prior to join Open Colleges in 2015 as Dean of the Faculty of Creative Industries. He is still actively engaged in his private architectural practice.

Photo: Andrew Sikorski.

VICE PRESIDENT

Katrina Wybrow is a Canberra based independent Financial Adviser with over 30 years experience, who provides services to clients all over the world.

She is passionate about the arts and supporting artists whose work she believes provide us with much joy in our everyday lives and sees CAPO Board Membership as a practical way to support them.

Katrina has been back in Canberra for 22 years and loves being a Ken behran!

She has a partner and 2 adult children.

Photo: Andrew Sikorski.

EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Marilyn has worked as part-time Executive Officer for CAPO since 2000 after initially joining the CAPO board in 1999.

Marilyn is currently joint owner of Mailboxes Etc. Manuka a small business in Manuka. Prior to managing Mailboxes Etc. Manuka and joining CAPO Marilyn was Executive Officer of the Canberra School of Art ANU for 9 years working with the Director, Professor David Williams. 10 years prior to her employment at the ANU School of Art Marilyn worked as Centre Administrator of the Centre for Mathematical Analysis, Australian National University- a Centre of Excellence set up in the Malcolm Fraser era of Government.

Marilyn has continued to work with CAPO for over twenty years as she believes strongly in the philanthropy of the Arts and what CAPO has achieved for the Canberra arts community.

Photo: Andrew Sikorski.

TREASURER

Yimeng is a Canberra-based Chartered Accountant working in public practice. She has several years of experience across professional practice and industry roles, with a focus on financial reporting and taxation.

Originally from China, Yimeng has been living in Australia for over a decade. After spending several years in Sydney, she later settled in Canberra and enjoys being part of the local community. Through her involvement with CAPO, she is keen to learn more about Canberra’s arts community and supporting CAPO’s work with local artists.

Outside of work, Yimeng enjoys baking, exploring new foods, and learning new skills.

Photo: Andrew Sikorski.

BOARD MEMBER

With professional experience across the commercial gallery sector in two Australian states, as a Youth Councillor for the NGA, editor of Sydney’s Booker Magazine and Co-Director of MOONLIGHTING, Riley is a young arts organiser deeply committed to the development of Canberra’s art scene and its accessibility to young people.

Riley has also worked as a management consultant in both the public and private sectors, and holds Bachelor Degrees in Economics and the Liberal Arts (Major Mandarin Chinese, Minor German Language) from the ANU.

Photo: Andrew Sikorski.

BOARD MEMBER

Thea is a qualified and experienced photographer.

Thea is a highly experienced creative and communications specialist with a demonstrated history of delivering outstanding results. She has extensive experience across the APS and not-for-profit sector, having spent almost four years as the Program Manager at PhotoAccess and two years as the Communication & Marketing Manager at Craft ACT: Craft + Design Centre.

Photo: Andrew Sikorski.

BOARD MEMBER

Mark Phillips was born in Canberra and has been practicing law in the Canberra region for more than 39 years.

Mark specialises in wills, estate planning, disputed estates, conveyancing and property matters and his practice also encompasses commercial and business law matters, property development and advice.

Paramount to Mark's client service philosophy is building strong personal relationships with clients, ensuring an understanding of their real needs and expectations and assisting in the decision making process to the benefit and satisfaction of his clients. His commitment to his clients and his expertise in his chosen specialty area was proven by recognition by the Real Estate Institute of the ACT, as a finalist for Solicitor of the Year at the Awards for Excellence 2008.

BOARD MEMBER

Rosalie Ryan is a Canberra‑based artist and arts educator whose practice spans resin sculpture, installation, and experimental colour work. With qualifications in Interior Design and Visual Arts from the Canberra Institute of Technology and the University of Canberra, her work is grounded in design thinking, material experimentation, and a strong interest in colour, translucency, and playful engagement.

Rosalie brings more than a decade of experience in visual arts education across K–12, including establishing Visual Arts and Design & Technology departments for new schools in both the ACT and NSW. She has a strong energy for events and community engagement, having coordinated school exhibitions, creative programs, and volunteer‑led initiatives throughout her teaching and community roles.

Alongside her studio practice, Rosalie contributes to the Canberra and Queanbeyan arts community through exhibitions, collaborative projects, and local creative events. She is committed to fostering a vibrant regional arts ecosystem and supporting artists in developing their practice. Rosalie values CAPO’s long‑standing role in championing artistic work and is passionate about contributing to its continued impact in the ACT.

Photo: Andrew Sikorski.

BOARD MEMBER

Born in Peru, Nancy Sever became an Australian citizen after her marriage to Adrian Sever in 1975. She is a graduate in Latin American Studies (Arts and Literature) from La Sorbonne, Paris, and in Art History and Curatorship from the ANU. She was Cultural Affairs Officer at the Australian Embassy in Paris for several years while her husband was on a diplomatic posting there.

From 1993 to 2012 Nancy Sever was Director of the Australian National University’s Drill Hall Gallery, during which time she produced intellectually stimulating and critically engaging exhibitions, several of which she toured overseas. Concurrently, she was Director of the ANU Art Collection, which she continued to build up into one of the major public art collections in Australia. In 2010 she was the recipient of the Chancellor’s Annual Award for outstanding service to the ANU campus community.

The high esteem in which she is held within the visual arts community, both locally and internationally, was formally recognised in 2007 when the French Government awarded her a Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres for services to art both in France and Australia.

From 2014 to 2024 she was owner and Director of the Nancy Sever Gallery.

She currently serves as Director of Linguaset Translations Pty Ltd, a well-established language services provider with a distinguished track record of delivering translation and interpreting services to government and commercial clients for more than four decades.

Linguaset engages a network of Australia-based interpreters and translators accredited by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI) at the professional level or above, ensuring the consistent delivery of high-quality language services across a broad range of languages and specialist domains.

BOARD MEMBER

Andrew Sikorski is a photographer and videographer.

Andrew's fine art photographs have been regularly exhibited in galleries in Australia and overseas. During his extensive career Andrew has won numerous awards including ACT Wedding Photographer of the year and the Canberra Critics Circle Award for his exhibition of fine art photos.

Andrew has been a resident at Gorman Arts Centre for many years, and his photos of Ainslie and Gorman Arts Centres have documented the centres’ transformation and the journeys of the many residents and independent artists. His photos portrays artists at work, events, workshops and performances, and audiences enjoying art.​

BOARD MEMBER

Paul is a digital artist and designer.

Paul Summerfield’s work can be found all over Canberra, from vinyl murals in the Canberra Women and Children Hospital, Garran Primary School, Woden and Belconnen Libraries and creative hoarding on development sites around Canberra. Paul’s work is very detailed and narrative in nature. He uses digital tools to create vibrant and textural works. He sells his works as limited edition prints and has work in collections in Australia and internationally.

His recent successful exhibition at Belconnen Arts Centre, titled Botanical Systems, featured over 70 works.

Paul Summerfield is also 2023 CAPO Fellowship award recipient.

Photo: Andrew Sikorski.