CEO
Clare is a highly experienced arts manager with more than fifteen years experience in managing, producing, and marketing roles across the arts industry. She is passionate about providing access to the arts for a broad audience and supporting the delivery of large-scale events which positively impact the arts ecology.
An experienced arts manager, Clare joins Melbourne Art Foundation after almost seven years as Executive Director of PHOTO Australia and previously as General Manager of Ausdance Victoria. Her expertise spans delivery of high-impact events and festivals as well as local and international market development across both the visual and performing arts sectors.
CLARE@MELBOURNEARTFOUNDATION.COM
FAIR DIRECTOR
Melissa Loughnan founded Utopian Slumps in 2007, shifting it from a non-profit to a commercial model in 2010 and operating until the end of 2014. During this time Utopian Slumps participated in numerous local and international art fairs, including Melbourne Art Fair, Sydney Contemporary, Auckland (Aotearoa) Art Fair, Art Stage Singapore, Art Forum Berlin, Art Fair Tokyo and Art Basel Hong Kong. Melissa shifted the business to a consulting agency in 2015, with a focus on public art advisory projects.
Melissa self-published Utopian Slumps: The Collingwood Years in 2011 and authored Australiana to Zeitgeist: An A to Z of New Australian Contemporary Art, Thames and Hudson, 2017. She has presented at various curatorial symposia and participated in panel discussions across Australia and internationally. She recently served a six year term on the Board of West Space.
MELISSA@MELBOURNEARTFOUNDATION.COM
DIRECTOR, COLLECTIBLE DESIGN
With a background in fashion and design media, Andy has been instrumental in launching several brands into the Australian market. His passion for creating dynamic, engaging collaborative events, coupled with his ability to craft compelling stories and content that resonates, has shaped a rare skill set. Andy is adept at creating and executing marketing strategies that align with both emerging trends and timeless principles.
ANDY@MELBOURNEARTFOUNDATION.COM
BRAND PARTNERSHIPS AND ACTIVATIONS ADVISOR
Diba Beylie has spent over 15 years working across brand strategy, live experiences and relationship development, connecting global and local brands with culture in ways that feel considered and real. She brings a combination of instinct and operational rigour to partnerships and activations, knowing what will land in the room as much as on paper.
Previously General Manager at a leading activations agency Dot Dot Dash, her work spanned retail, hospitality, sporting and art-led collaborations. She is also co-founder and Director of Bread Club, an independent Melbourne bakery.
DB@DIBABEYLIE.COM
DIRECTOR, GALLERIES
Jodie Kras has over 10 years of experience in the art industry, working across commercial galleries, biennales, art fairs and auction houses in Melbourne and Sydney.
Jodie’s passion for helping the next generation of art collectors led her to establish The Arts Club in 2018, a series of pop-up exhibitions in unique locations aiming to bridge the gap between emerging artists and collectors. The Arts Club created spaces distinctly different to the setting of a traditional gallery and sourced unique works by emerging artists at affordable prices.
JODIE@MELBOURNEARTFOUNDATION.COM
DIRECTOR OF MARKETING
Cristina Ulloa Sobarzo is a marketing professional and videographer with experience spanning advertising, content production, and audience engagement. After working on the Myer account at Clemenger BBDO, she joined Melbourne Art Foundation, where she now leads the organisation’s marketing initiatives.
Cristina specialises in creating engaging campaigns and content that connect with diverse audiences while driving ticket sales and brand growth. She holds a Bachelor of Communications (Media) from RMIT University, graduating in 2021.
CRISTINA@MELBOURNEARTFOUNDATION.COM
FAIR COORDINATOR
With a professional background in hospitality and events, and a growing portfolio of work as a writer exploring art and design, Zachary Calleja is deeply interested in storytelling, community and creative practice. In his former role as a retail manager for specialty roaster Padre Coffee, he helped establish a location at Collingwood Yards, spear-heading engagement with creative tenancies and eagerly facilitating various activations (including Agency Projects, Arts Project Australia & Liquid Architecture). His time as a writer and events assistant for independent gallery and design space OIGÅLL PROJECTS introduced him to a broad and exciting network of artists, designers, gallerists and collectors, deepening his appreciation for Melbourne’s contemporary art and design scene. Zachary’s editorial work has appeared in publications including to Be Magazine, Union Magazine and The Local Project. His commissions as a copywriter include several collaborations with Melbourne-based design studio The Company You Keep. This work explores the conceptual and creative underpinnings of branded identity and product design and celebrates the inherent narratives which they possess. Zachary was the contributing writer for the TCYK publication Applied Semiotics Vol. 2: Portraiture, released in May 2026 during Melbourne Design Week.
ZACHARY@MELBOURNEARTFOUNDATION.COM
VIP RELATIONS MANAGER
Sara Lammardo is passionate about bringing people closer with art. With experience across leading cultural organisations including the State Library of Victoria, National Gallery of Victoria, and Lyon Housemuseum, she has developed a flair for producing events, exhibitions and programs that invite audiences in and spark conversation. Attentive and collaborative, Sara works to create thoughtful experiences that nurture industry relationships and deepen engagement with Australian contemporary art.
Sara holds a Master of Arts and Cultural Management from The University of Melbourne and a Bachelor of Art History and Curating from Monash University.