Wendy McCarthy, the Chair of Circus Oz announced today the appointment of Lou Oppenheim as the new General Manager of the company, replacing Linda Mickleborough who leaves the company at the end of this year after 26 years.
Ms McCarthy said the board had searched widely for the right person and had been very pleased in the level of interest expressed in the position, a tribute to the reputation of the company and its outgoing General Manager Linda Mickleborough. "We are excited Lou has accepted our offer to join the Circus in this next phase of its development as we prepare for the move to our new premises in Collingwood" Ms McCarthy said.
Lou is currently the Director of Operations at the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (MSO), having first joined the organisation in late 2003. In her role at the MSO, Lou has been responsible for overseeing all of the MSO's performance activities and related operations, negotiation of multiple musician employment agreements, as well as a range of strategic policies and initiatives. Most recently this has specifically involved the management of the MSO's operations through the closure, redevelopment and reopening of Hamer Hall.
Prior to this position, Lou was a Consultant with the international strategic planning and management consulting firm, Boston Consulting Group, working in Australia, New Zealand and America. She is a Board Member for Melbourne Youth Music, and was the Arts Administration Tutor for AYO's National Music Camp and holds a Bachelor of Engineering and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Melbourne.
"I am thrilled to be given this opportunity to work with Circus Oz and look forward to embracing all the opportunities that lie ahead. It is such an exciting time in the journey for this innovative contemporary circus, whose activities not only entertain and inspire people across the world, but are built on a platform of collaboration, social inclusion and diversity. With its new home in Collingwood just on the horizon, and building on the strong foundations left by Linda Mickleborough, I look forward to working with the Board, Executive, Staff and Performers in creating the next chapter in the story of this inspirational Australian company", says Lou.
Artistic Director Mike Finch said: "We're totally stoked to welcome Lou into the Circus Oz mob helping us make our important move into our new home in Collingwood. We're confident that Lou will step up into this position and take us to the next level. Bring it on!"