Trent Birkett is Acting Director and has been the Chief Operating Officer of the National Portrait Gallery since 2014, where he manages a team responsible for the Gallery’s finances, human resources, ICT, security and facilities. Prior to joining the Gallery he was a Partner in a Canberra based consulting firm delivering financial services to the government and the not-for-profit sector. Trent holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Information Systems) and Bachelor of Economics from the Australia National University. He is also a Chartered Accountant and a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Alison Williams is Acting Chief Operating Officer and has been at the National Portrait Gallery since 2008. She manages the team responsible for the Gallery’s finances, human resources, ICT, security and facilities.
Sandra Bruce joined the National Portrait Gallery in February 2020 as Director, Collection and Exhibitions. Prior to her appointment, she was Assistant Director and Acting Director of the La Trobe Art Institute at La Trobe University, where she played a leading role in reinvigorating cultural activity at the University, and drove the first significance assessment of the University’s collections. She has also been the Collection Manager at Bendigo Art Gallery, and Collections and Exhibitions Manager, and Curator, at the National Sports Museum and Melbourne Cricket Club. Sandra guides the curatorial, exhibitions, and collection activity of the Gallery; responsible for the management of the collection and its ongoing development, and the delivery of the exhibitions program. She also has a role in the delivery of the Gallery’s Reconciliation Action Plan and Accessibility Action Plan.
Sarah Oakes joined the National Portrait Gallery in October 2022 as Director, External Relations. Sarah is an award-winning Editor-in-Chief, journalist and branding expert with over 20 years’ experience managing some of Australia's best-selling magazines including Gourmet Traveller, Sunday Life, CLEO and Girlfriend. She is an accomplished journalist who has written for national newspapers (Sydney Morning Herald and The Age) and luxury magazines (Harper’s Bazaar and QANTAS). Her team is responsible for marketing, communications, partnerships and digital content.
Tristan Hoffmeister joined the National Portrait Gallery in mid 2022 where he is Director of Access and Learning. His team is responsible for the delivery of public and education programs online and onsite as well as providing excellent face to face customer service to our varied audiences coming to the Gallery in Canberra.
