Office of the CEO

Jan Gura is a professional fundraising consultant with industry-recognised expertise in arts and not-for-profit organisations. Since 2012, she has served as the Advisor for Leadership Giving at The Public Theater where she founded the Musical Theater Council, raising major funding for such successful productions as HAMILTON, FUN HOME, HERE LIES LOVE, GIRL FROM THE NORTH COUNTRY, SUFFS, HELL’S KITCHEN and many others. While at The Public, she has also played a principal role in the $175M FOREVER PUBLIC Capital Campaign to renovate the iconic Delacorte Theater in Central Park, create the Public Studios artistic development hub, and establish the Fund for Free Theater Endowment. She has a proven track record of identifying and cultivating high-net-worth individuals and matching them with projects that align with their interests.

Jan was a co-producer and funded the Emmy- Award winning documentary, “Broadway: The American Musical” (2004), a six-hour coproduction with WNET, BBC, NHK and Carlton International, seen by 15 million viewers hosted by Julie Andrews.  She also co-produced the Peabody Award-winning documentary “Broadway Musicals: A Jewish Legacy” (2013), as well as “You Had to Be There: How the Toronto Godspell Ignited the Comedy Revolution (2025).  Other projects include “NY Export: Opus Jazz” (2010) a film based on the Jerome Robbins dance, performed by New York City Ballet dancers and shot on location throughout New York City; and the feature film AILEY (2021) which had its world premiere at Sundance and follows the life of dancer Alvin Ailey, distributed by NEON.  She also co-produced, “Half the Sky,” (2012) a 4-hour Transmedia project based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists, Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn’s bestselling book, Half The Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide.

Recent organisational clients include Fisher Center at Bard, The Child Mind Institute, the Earl Monroe New Renaissance Basketball School, Arts Connection, The 52nd Street Project, The George Street Playhouse, the Metro Theater/Upper West Side Cinema Center. In addition, Jan is the strategic advisor to the philanthropist Sally Klingenstein Martell.  In 2006-2007, She served as Vice President for Strategic Partnerships at Robert Boyett Theatricals.

Earlier in her career, Jan worked at the flagship Public Television station, Thirteen/WNET in New York for over 16 years, where she distinguished herself as the Director of Major Gifts for the performing arts series GREAT PERFORMANCES as well as for WNET’s many other Culture and Arts programs. While at Thirteen/WNET, in all areas of production, fundraising and events, she was closely involved with such Thirteen/WNET productions as City Arts; Egg, the arts show; the drama anthology series Stage On Screen; as well as the GREAT PERFORMANCES programs “Itzhak Perlman: In the Fiddler’s House”, “Degas and the Dance,” Garth Fagan’s “Griot New York,” and “South Pacific in Concert from Carnegie Hall.” Prior to WNET, Ms. Gura served as an agent at the William Morris Agency.

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.

 

After more than fifteen years working across the Australian television and media industry Lucie joins the Michael Cassel Group as Director of Client Management.

Lucie’s career has been driven by a desire to connect with people, tell their stories, discover new talent, seek out opportunities and deliver high-quality content to a broad Australian audience.

Beginning as a producer at Foxtel, Lucie was selected for a News and Current Affairs cadetship at the Nine Network. Lucie soon after began as a producer at A Current Affair, then the number one national current affairs programme, hosted by Ray Martin followed by Tracy Grimshaw.

Five years later, Lucie spent over a year in weekly magazines as News Editor for Woman’s Day before returning to the highly competitive world of nightly current affairs this time Today Tonight with the Seven Network.

As a producer Lucie’s most memorable stories remain a profile with the late Prime Minister Bob Hawke and Blanche d’Alpuget, and also a story about Colin McLaren, a former undercover police officer turned bestselling author and documentary maker who Infiltrated the Australian Mafia.

Lucie was promoted to Chief of Staff at Today Tonight where over two years she helped to lead a team of reporters, producers and production staff.

For the last Seven years Lucie worked as Supervising Producer at Australia’s number one morning show, The Morning Show with the Seven Network.

Lucie has two young sons Ted and Rex.

 

Deeta Colvin has had a successful career in marketing, communications and strategic integrated campaigns for building international brands. These include Louis Vuitton, Fendi, Dior, Versace, Krug, Cointreau, RM Williams and BMW. Her expertise lies in communications strategies and marketing initiatives to support brands in achieving a unique position in their respective markets.

She started her own communications business specialising in luxury brands in fashion, food and wine and as part of the platform created very tailored special events, such as the Cointreau Ball, which she started with her team in 1987 and finished in 1997. Deeta sold her business in 2001 and was appointed Director of Corporate Relations and Events for PBL Media which included at that time, Channel Nine, ACP Magazines and Ninemsn. When PBL Media was sold in 2008 Deeta commenced work with Consolidated Press Holdings assisting in relationship opportunities and events for clients. Deeta is a current Non-Executive Director on the National Breast Cancer Foundation Board.

Billie Browning brings extensive experience in executive support across the music, entertainment, touring and creative agency sectors. She spent seven years at TMRW Music as Executive Assistant to the CEO and has also worked at HLA Management as an Agent Assistant, as well as within creative advertising agencies, supporting fast-paced and highly creative teams.

With a strong appreciation for collaboration and people-focused work, Billie values clear communication, discretion and trusted relationships. She is known for her calm, organised and proactive approach, particularly in fast-paced and high-pressure environments.

Outside of her role, Billie has a genuine passion for entertainment in all its forms, from live music to theatre productions, and is deeply interested in the power and impact of live performance.

Billie is delighted to join the Michael Cassel Group as Executive Assistant to Michael Cassel and looks forward to contributing to the continued success of live entertainment and theatre.

Eloise holds an Advanced Graduate Diploma in Arts and Cultural Management and a Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) from the University of Melbourne. Born and raised in Hong Kong, Eloise is bilingual in English and Mandarin and values communications and cultural engagement in both creative and professional settings.

Outside of work, Eloise’s arts journey began as a singer and theatre performer and over time has become increasingly focused on writing and directing. Her creative work includes directing Trinity College’s 150th Anniversary musical and as a writer in Pull Back The Curtain 2018, when her short original play Healed was selected and staged at the Hong Kong Arts Centre. Eloise is passionate about the power and benefit of live entertainment and is a keen advocate of the performing arts both on and off the stage.

Eloise is thrilled to join the Michael Cassel Group as their new Receptionist / Office Assistant.