The Emerging Writers’ Festival Board

EWF is governed by a volunteer Board, made up of six to twelve members. The EWF Board meets monthly with our co-CEOs to oversee business operations, and ensure best practice governance.

As all roles are with EWF; our Board roles are developmental – perfect for first-time board members and emerging arts leaders interested in governance and passionate about Australian storytelling and art.

GABRIELLE RYAN, Chair

Gabrielle Ryan is an experienced arts leader, currently working as Sales and Product Manager at Melbourne University Publishing. Previously, she worked for almost a decade at the Wheeler Centre for Books, Writing and Ideas, as well as undertaking shorter term roles at the Substation Contemporary Arts Space, the Stella Prize, Blak and Bright First Nations Literary Festival, RMIT Culture and Melbourne Writers Festival. She has a PhD in Creative Writing, a Masters in Creative Writing, Publishing and Editing and a Masters of Business (Arts and Cultural Management). 

PHIL JONES, Treasurer

With over 30 years of executive experience in corporate, credit and assurance roles Phil Jones has led high performance teams in big name organisations such as ANZ Bank, Telstra, National Australia Bank, KPMG and Touche Ross. Jones’ job as a leader was to create space for his team and colleagues to be brilliant. Currently, Phil is leveraging his extensive experience, formal training through the AICD and skills as a Director to better lead and build resiliency within the organisations, both cultural and not, that he is passionate about and dedicates his time to.

Jamila Djafar Khodja is an events and program producer of British and Algerian background, and is currently the Senior Manager, Outreach and Development at Human Rights Watch. She completed her tertiary studies at the University of Melbourne in Development and Gender Studies, followed by a post-graduate qualification in Publishing and Communications. Most recently, she was the Senior Programming Manager at The Wheeler Centre for Books Writing and Ideas and, prior to this, worked in the Australian publishing industry. Jamila is also a board member of the Emerging Writers Festival and sits on the Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Australia Lived Experience Advisory Group. She is a mother and a passionate advocate for perinatal rights and social justice.

Jamila lives and works on the unceded Sovereign lands of the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung people of the Kulin nation.

JADE MOORE, Secretary

Jade is a seasoned data and customer solutions specialist with over 16 years of experience in the Australian Arts Industry, holding positions at The Australian Ballet, Melbourne Recital Centre, and Arts Centre Melbourne. In 2024, Jade took a business leap of faith and launched her own consulting business, Moore Insights, assisting organisations focus on the growth of audience development within the ever-evolving arts landscape, embrace the opportunity to see how data can illuminate trends, enhance customer experiences, and drive engagement.
Jade is dedicated to making a significant impact in the arts community by marrying her love for data with her passion for the arts, helping organisations harness the power of insights to thrive in a dynamic environment.

JENNIFER NGUYEN

Jennifer Nguyen is a writer, poet, editor, and arts worker. She is the author of the poetry chapbook When I die slingshot my ashes onto the surface of the moon (Subbed In, 2019), and her work has appeared in Overland, Cordite, Best of Australian Poems, Liminal, and the City of Literature’s Poet Laureates of Melbourne series. She has performed at literary events including the Emerging Writers’ Festival and Melbourne Writers Festival. 

Jennifer has worked across the literary and arts sectors in roles spanning programming, administration, and community engagement. She was previously Associate Producer and Richell Prize Administrator at Emerging Writers’ Festival, and Program Administration Officer (Competitions) at Writers Victoria. She currently works with Australian Poetry (based at The Wheeler Centre) and assesses poetry manuscripts for Kill Your Darlings. She is currently developing a full-length poetry collection and, maybe, a novel. 

SHALINI KUNAHLAN

Shalini Kunahlan is a marketing leader with 15+ years of experience in the arts and publishing. Currently Group Head of Marketing and Communications at Hardie Grant Publishing, she is passionate about audience insights and agile, multichannel strategy. As a Malaysian-Australian of Sri Lankan Tamil heritage, she is committed to advancing diversity in the industry. She was proud to receive the inaugural Australian Book Industry Rising Star award, and is serving on the EWF Board having featured as an artist herself and in order to support a vibrant festival that enriches our city of literature. 

GUY EDWARDS

Guy Edwards is an experienced strategy consultant and project manager. His experience includes commercial life science, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, public sector research & development, and higher education.