Jennifer Kerr, Executive Director

Jennifer Kerr is a creative industries leader with nearly three decades of senior leadership experience in government, festivals and touring. 

Previous roles include CEO of the Melbourne International Jazz Festival (2010-2019), Manager OzOpera at Opera Australia (2006-2010), General Manager of Sydney Youth Orchestra (2000-2006), and Media Relations Assistant at the Sydney Opera House (1999-2000).

From 2019-2023 Jenn held senior roles with City of Melbourne, including Knowledge Programming Lead and Manager Melbourne Music Week within the Experience Melbourne branch, and Acting Pilot and Trial Lead in the Smart City Incubator. 

Alongside her professional roles, in 2008 she co-founded the Peninsula Summer Music Festival, remaining on the board until 2015, and was a board member of Melbourne Youth Music 2008-10 and 3MBC 2021-22. 

Jennifer studied orchestral performance at the Victorian College of the Arts before graduating from WAAPA with a Bachelor of Arts (Arts Management) in 1999. She has participated in Creative Australia's Arts Leadership Program and undertaken Non-Profit Governance training with AICD.

Jenn is recognised as a champion for diversity, inclusivity and women as leaders in the creative industries. She is particularly driven to contribute to the process of truth-telling and reconciliation in Australia. 

Jenn joined the VDB team as its inaugural Executive Director in early 2023, drawn in equal measure by the quality of the musicianship but also the incredible impact VDB has on communities across the state - and she thinks lutruwitan/Tasmanian audiences might just be the best in the world.