The Executive Management Group provides strategic and operational leadership for the Museum, including the management of major projects and the forward exhibition program.
Katherine McMahon, Director
Katherine McMahon was appointed Director in February 2024. She has 30 years’ experience in government and for the past two decades has held senior leadership roles in cultural institutions.
Katherine led the delivery of the Museum’s gallery renewal program culminating in the groundbreaking environmental history gallery Great Southern Land and a new Discovery Centre for the Museum’s youngest visitors.
She has been instrumental in the Museum’s major exhibitions program, bringing some of the world’s great collections to Australia from international partners, and has overseen unprecedented success in the acquisition of major cultural collections.
Her stewardship of the Museum’s First Nations programs has delivered key initiatives working in partnership with First Nations peoples and communities, including the Museum’s flagship international touring exhibition Songlines: Tracking the Seven Sisters in partnership with the traditional Aboriginal custodians and knowledge holders of the Seven Sisters Songline story from the APY, NPY and Martu lands of the Central and Western Deserts.
Tel: +61 2 6208 5001
Email: katherine.mcmahon@nma.gov.au
Ruth Wilson, Deputy Director (Acting)
Ruth Wilson commenced in the role of Assistant Director, Corporate Operations and Services at the National Museum in June 2020 and prior to that was Acting Assistant Director, Public Engagement. She was appointed Deputy Director (Acting) in December 2023.
Since joining the Museum in early 2016, Ms Wilson has also been Acting Assistant Director, Collections and Content and Assistant Director, Visitor Services and Development. She has an extensive commercial background and has been engaged in the Museum’s development of own-source revenue.
Under her guidance, the Museum has increased its own-source revenue to an average of 20 per cent of all operating revenues. Ms Wilson has previously held executive positions at the National Gallery of Australia and the National Portrait Gallery, following 15 years in the private sector.
Tel: +61 2 6208 5009
Email ruth.wilson@nma.gov.au
Rohan Haslam, Deputy Director (Acting), Corporate
Rohan Haslam was appointed acting Deputy Director, Corporate and Chief Operating Officer in February 2025, after acting as Assistant Director, Corporate Operations and Services from December 2023. Rohan joined the Museum as Chief Finance Officer in August 2021.
Rohan has over 20 years’ experience across finance, governance and corporate management roles, having held leadership positions in cultural institutions including the Australian National Maritime Museum, the Canberra Museum and Gallery, and the Canberra Theatre Centre. He has also served on the board of the PACT Centre for Emerging Artists and worked as a consultant prior to joining the Museum.
Tel: +61 2 6208 5009
Email rohan.haslam@nma.gov.au
Michael Cook, Deputy Director, Growth and Engagement
Michael Cook was appointed Deputy Director, Growth and Engagement in February 2025. He brings significant leadership experience in driving business growth, digital transformation and audience engagement strategies across Australian and global organisations.
Michael's track record includes leading successful brand and revenue growth strategies across multiple portfolios and he has particular expertise in developing sustainable business models and optimising commercial opportunities while maintaining strong customer relationships.
Prior to joining the Museum, Michael led global marketing and digital strategy initiatives, most recently as Global Head of Digital and Direct Marketing at AIG Insurance, where he developed innovative approaches to audience engagement and digital experience for 21 diverse national markets across six continents.
Michael has extensive experience in delivering customer-led transformation programs and building high-performing teams. His expertise in data-driven decision making and digital innovation has helped organisations respond effectively to changing audience needs and market dynamics.
Tel: +61 2 6208 5009
Email michael.cook@nma.gov.au
Sophie Jensen, Deputy Director, Collection and Curatorial
Dr Sophie Jensen was appointed Deputy Director, Collection and Curatorial in November 2024. She is a senior curator who led the Museum's Curatorial team from 2021 and was Acting Assistant Director, Discovery and Collections from June 2023.
Prior to leading the Curatorial team Sophie led the Collections Development team.
Sophie was pivotal in negotiations for the acquisition of the Trevor Kennedy Collection of rare and remarkable Australiana and has worked with a range of significant donors over many years to develop the Museum's National Historical Collection.
Sophie has curated a range of exhibitions including Rare Trades, Miss Australia: A Nation’s Quest, Happy Birthday Play School and Trevor Kennedy Collection: Highlights and was part of the team that developed the Eternity gallery. In 2020, Sophie won the Director’s Award for Excellence at the Museum.
Tel: +61 2 6208 5009
Email sophie.jensen@nma.gov.au
Jilda Andrews, Deputy Director, First Nations
Dr Jilda Andrews is a Yuwaalaraay cultural practitioner and was appointed Deputy Director, First Nations in February 2025. She has more than 25 years' experience as a museum professional and leading scholar of museums, anthropology and cultural futures.
Jilda has worked extensively within the galleries, libraries, archives and museums sector in public-facing audience, learning and exhibition roles as well as exhibition design and gallery development – including the Museum's Great Southern Land gallery and the Australia Pavilion for Expo 2025 in Osaka.
She is a leading voice in the sector, actively contributing through advisory and board positions. With affiliations to the Australian National University through the Research School of Humanities and the School of Cybernetics, Jilda engages actively in collections research and has a strong record of research and publication in the field.
As an active member of her Yuwaalaraay community, Jilda has represented Yuwaalaraay Country nationally and globally through her work as a researcher, cultural practitioner and performer. Throughout all dimensions of her work, she takes a decisive ‘futures-orientation’, exploring the concept of ‘Ancestral Futures’ in real and applied ways.
Jilda is extending continuities from Australia’s deep cultural roots to inform richly dynamic, culturally strong and inclusive communities and future societies.
Brenda Stephens, Associate Director (Acting), Visitor Experience
Brenda Stephens was appointed acting Associate Director, Visitor Experience in February 2025, after joining the Museum as Head of People and Culture in 2021. She has extensive experience leading large teams and driving strategic HR initiatives across public and private sectors.
Brenda spearheaded the development of the Museum's Enterprise Agreement, Strategic Workforce Plan and Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging Strategy. She also created bespoke dashboards to track key HR metrics.
Previously, Brenda held senior operational and service delivery roles in government and private sector organisations. She has led major contract and project transitions in government, health and infrastructure sectors.
Brenda holds certifications in Prosci (Change Management) and from the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Her expertise spans leadership, service delivery, general management, workforce planning and change management. She is passionate about fostering inclusive, high-performing cultures that align with organisational goals and drive long-term success.
Tel: +61 2 6208 5009
Email brenda.stephens@nma.gov.au
Senior managers
Belinda Carman joined the Museum in 2006 as its in-house legal counsel, having held prior legal roles in the Commonwealth’s health, education and employment portfolios. In 2020 she took on responsibility for the Museum’s governance program, overseeing corporate and business planning, departmental liaison, performance reporting and internal audit, as well as the provision of secretariat and policy support to the Museum’s Council and Committees and internal Executive Management and Corporate Management groups.
Tracy Sutherland joined the Museum in 2013 and led the delivery of multi-platform communications strategies across public affairs, marketing and social media. She spent 21 months acting as Assistant Director, Digital and Public Engagement from January 2023. In February 2025, Tracy was appointed Head of the Office of the Director, with responsibility for external affairs. Prior to joining the Museum, Tracy was a journalist specialising in political, international trade and energy reporting.
Jem Varova joined the Museum as Chief Information Officer in 2022. He started his public service career in 2000 and has held several positions across government departments and agencies. Jem is leading the Museum in its technology modernisation to enable better customer engagement experiences.