Board Director, Chair
she/they

Emma is a queer writer, performer and arts advocate from Kamberri (Canberra). Her debut novel, Now that I see you was the winner of the Australian/Vogel Literary Award in 2021. Emma’s second novel, Doing Good Work, was developed with project funding from artsACT. She is currently a resident artist at The Street where she is creating an interdisciplinary live performance work. Emma writes regularly on the arts, gender and sexuality, mental illness and identity with work published in Portrait Magazine, Vogue, HerCanberra and RiotACT. In addition to being the Chair of MARION, she is a board member of Stellar Company and a member of the Minister’s Creative Council. Emma holds a Bachelor of Medical Science (Hons) from the Australian National University and has a professional background in corporate governance, community organising and communications.

Board Director, Deputy Chair
she/her

Erin is a writer, editor and digital storyteller who grew up in and continues to call Canberra home. Since joining HerCanberra in 2021, she has risen to the position of Online Editor where she champions local voices and curates' content that celebrates the city she loves. 

An avid reader with authorial aspirations of her own, Erin's professional journey has deepened her appreciation for the vital role writing plays in cultivating community identity and connection. Her dual perspective as both a media professional and literary enthusiast provides unique insights into the challenges writers face and the transformative power of supportive literary environments. Erin joins MARION's board with a commitment to nurturing and sustaining Canberra's vibrant literary ecosystem by strengthening connections between writers and their audiences.

Board Director, Secretary
he/him

Chris Huet is a consultant specialising in effective communication. He served twenty years in the Air Force as a fighter instructor, leader and project manager. After leaving the Air Force, Chris has worked as a consultant and business development manager for Defence, other government agencies and private companies.

Chris is also a spoken word poet, performing as CJ Bowerbird on stages across Australia and around the world. He is the 2012 Australian Poetry Slam Champion and a two-time TEDx speaker.

Chris has extensive experience working with not-for-profit boards and committees, particularly in partnership and sponsorship management.

Board Director, Treasurer
he/him

Born and bred in Canberra, Charles has worked across all areas of the nation's capital. Accounting is where he came back to, following in his father's footsteps.

Charles has worked in all areas in Accounting from Disclosure and Compliance for the Australian Electoral Commission, Trades and Construction and continues to work directly with the Young Music Society as the business manager. He manages his own bookkeeping business.

While sport is his main hobby and passion, working with the Young Music Society over the past 6 years has given him an understanding and appreciation of the arts and the joys it can bring to everyone.

Board Director
she/her

The belief that storytelling is connecting—and connecting is healing— guides both Michelle's creative and professional practice. She is a writer, published poet, and award-winning short story author, currently working on a novel which has been previously long-listed for the 2024 Richell Prize. Michelle's research-based writing is grounded in a long academic career in biological, medical, and veterinary sciences. A person living with disability, Michelle is a committed advocate for disability and neurodiversity. She is a proud Gamilaraay woman through her father’s family with a long history in northwestern NSW. Michelle engages with community and culture in many ways, including by learning and practicing Language, and with storytelling. Michelle is an active member of the First Nations Australia Writing Network (FNAWN) and Us Mob Writers (ACT) and proud to be an inaugural recipent of the FNAWN Varuna Residency Fellowship (2024).