Director, People and Culture
As Director of People and Culture, Michel leads the company’s human resources strategy and labour relations across the company’s slate of productions, including talent acquisition, leadership development, diversity and inclusion, organisational structuring and cultural enrichment, as well as employee learning and advancement programs, with responsibility for supporting a diverse workforce of over 500 employees.
Prior to joining Michael Cassel Group, Michel served as In-house Counsel, Director of People and Culture at the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Australia’s flagship orchestra.
Bringing to the role extensive experience in theatre, entertainment and labour relations, Michel served, for eleven years, as National Director of Theatre, Lawyer and NSW Secretary for the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA) negotiating collective bargaining agreements on behalf of the union’s members with SBS, the Sydney Opera House, Opera Australia, the Australian Ballet, the Sydney Dance Company, the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and national theatre companies in both the subsidised and commercial sector. Following her time at MEAA, Michel was General Manager, Human Resources and Industrial Relations at the Sydney Ferries Corporation from 2004 until 2009.
In August 2023, the Australian Government’s Minister for the Arts announced Michel as one of six inaugural members of the Creative Workplaces Council of Creative Australia, previously the Australia Council of the Arts. The role of the Creative Workplaces Council is to inform and support the operation of Creative Workplaces. The Creative Workplaces Council will promote fair, safe, and respectful l workplaces for Australian artists and arts workers. It will support arts workers and arts organisations. Michel’s appointment is for 4 years commencing 24 August 2023.