Our People
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Our Board, made up of eight individuals, plays a key role in guiding the organisation’s strategy and ensuring strong governance. Together, they bring a diverse range of perspectives, expertise, and professional backgrounds.
Stacie Wright
Chair
Stacie, currently Board Chair and a Director since 2017, is a strategic leader at Bendigo Stadium Limited. She has a strong background in developing organizational, brand, marketing, customer, and communication strategies, honed in senior roles at NAB, Bendigo and Adelaide Bank, Rural Bank, and Wesfarmers. She also runs her own consultancy, STP Grow.
Stacie holds an MBA, a Bachelor of Business (Marketing and Human Resource Management), and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Her commitment to the Bendigo community is evident; she recognizes Bendigo Stadium’s importance as a valuable community asset.
As a Director of Bendigo Heritage Attractions and former Director of the Bendigo Basketball Association, she understands the vital role sports and cultural venues play in enriching residents’ lives. As Board Chair, Stacie emphasizes the club’s role in community thriving, providing a place for sport, events, and quality entertainment.
Stan Liacos
Non-executive director
Stan Liacos, a non-executive director since 2023, brings over 30 years of executive experience to the board. He has held significant roles, including CEO of Queen Victoria Market Pty Ltd, and Executive Director positions at the City of Greater Bendigo, Victorian Government, Federation Square, and Melbourne Docklands Authority.
Stan was also Head/CEO of the Geelong Waterfront Development and a planning and development consultant.He holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Planning and Urban Design from RMIT, and postgraduate and master’s degrees in Marketing from the University of Melbourne. Stan’s expertise spans major projects, planning, local government, arts, tourism, events, business leadership, and marketing.
A proud Bendigo resident, he is known for developing local attractions like Ulumbarra Theatre, Gurri Wanyarra Aquatic Centre, and major expansions of the Bendigo Art Gallery, Airport, and Stadium.
Stephen Brown
Non-executive director
Stephen joined the Board in April 2025. He has gained extensive experience in the banking and finance industry holding management positions with KPMG, ANZ, Bendigo and Adelaide Bank, RSD Chartered Accountants and Rural Finance Corporation during his executive career. He has also held various governance roles including being a director at Vision Super.
Stephen is currently Board Chair at North East Water and is a director at VicWater. He is also an independent Audit and Risk Committee member at City of Greater Bendigo, South Gippsland Water and the Portable Long Service Authority.
Having completed a Bachelor of Business (Accounting), Stephen is a registered Company Auditor, a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Australia and New Zealand, and a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Kevin Dole
Non-executive director
Kevin joined the Board in January 2022. He is currently the Managing Director of Bendigo Telco, a public listed company which delivers technology-based solutions. Throughout his career Kevin has focused on ensuring technology is a key enabler to support customers achieving success.
Prior to Bendigo Stadium he held a number of technical and senior leadership roles within Bendigo and Adelaide Bank. Kevin is also a Board Member and Director of Bendigo Telco. In addition to his duties as a BSL Director, Kevin is also a member of the Audit, Finance and Risk Committee, and Chair of the Sport and Community Advisory Group.
Michael Green
Non-executive director
Michael joined the Board in May 2025, bringing 30 years of expertise in stadia, sports, hospitality, and event management. As the former long-term CEO of Marvel Stadium and Director of Marketing at Hawthorn Football Club, he has a proven track record navigating complex commercial landscapes.
Michael successfully secured major sponsorships and supply agreements, driving significant revenue growth for high-profile sports and entertainment organizations and venues. He consistently delivers in event procurement, strategic planning, operational management, and enhancing guest experiences. Michael also boasts extensive experience in high-performance sports and entertainment infrastructure project management.
He was an AFL representative on the Project Control Group for the $225M State Government-funded Marvel Stadium Upgrade Project.
Nick McClure
Non-executive director
Nick joined the Board in 2022. A tertiary qualified Civil Engineer by profession, who is accredited on Engineers Australia’s National Engineering Register and the Victorian Business Licencing Authority, he is also the director of two Victorian engineering companies who specialise in Construction, Design, Consulting and Geotechnical Engineering. Nick has extensive contractual management experience, specialising in project planning/staging, risk management.
Having worked nationally across a broad range of infrastructure projects in both the private and public sectors, Nick’s drive is to provide sound governance and operational practices to regional Victoria.
Simon Coutanche
Non-executive director
Simon joined the Board in May 2024. With over 25 years of experience in the banking and finance industry, he is the Director of Vision Broking Group, a mortgage broking business providing tailored finance solutions. Simon holds a Diploma of Finance and Mortgage Broking Management and is a member of the Mortgage & Finance Association of Australia.
Previously, he held senior roles at Bendigo and Adelaide Bank, managing commercial portfolios and developing key credit policies. His expertise lies in relationship building, financial analysis, and credit risk management. Simon is also the Vice President of the Bendigo Basketball Association.
Lachlan Edwards
Company secretary
The company secretary is Lachlan Edwards. Lachlan was appointed to the position of company secretary on 27 October 2022.
Lachlan is a director and commercial lawyer at O’Farrell Robertson McMahon Lawyers in Bendigo and has a background and passion working in not for profit organisations.
Lachlan is also presently a director at Be.Bendigo, Bendigo’s local Chamber of Commerce and a not-for-profit organisation that aims to support local businesses. Lachlan was previously company secretary for Bendigo UFS Pharmacies and has completed the AICD Company Director Course.
LEADERSHIP
Led by CEO David Elliott, our leadership team is a committed and collaborative group of diversely skilled people with a deep understanding of our overarching vision for Bendigo Stadium Limited. Under the guidance of David, the leadership team is dedicated to aligning the broader team with our strategic goals and cultivating a positive and resilient organisational culture.
David Elliott
Chief Executive Officer
David has over two decades of senior leadership experience in the sports, entertainment, and stadium sectors. He has spent the past 24 years in senior executive roles, including 11 years with the West Coast Eagles in Perth, before moving to Melbourne, where he served as Head of Commercial Operations and held various other roles within the AFL for 13 years.
Throughout his career, David’s leadership has spanned a wide range of areas, including commercial, operations, customer, community, sales, experience, marketing, digital and growth portfolios. His accomplishments include leading the national focus on AFL attendances to reach record levels, leading AFL industry club memberships to reach an unprecedented 1 million members and playing a key leadership role in the redevelopment of Marvel Stadium.
David’s strengths lie in his ability to set a clear vision, inspire, and lead teams, and prioritise building strong, long-term relationships.
Craig Armstead
General Manager - Sport
Craig holds a Bachelor of Business from RMIT University with a major in Accounting. His work experience includes senior Finance and Marketing roles with multinational consumers goods businesses Mars Incorporated, Mattel Toys and General Mills. Since 2011 Craig has worked in Sport & Entertainment. His experience spans management roles in elite professional sport with Geelong Cats in the AFL, NBL club South Dragons, and working for the AFL.
He has also held CEO/General Management roles in community sport with the Essendon District Football League and currently with Bendigo Stadium Limited. Craig loves his role at Red Energy Arena as it supports all community members participating in and enjoying sport, while also working with elite sports teams in professional and semi professional national and state competitions.
Suzi Sordan
Head of People and Culture
Suzi holds a Master of Business, a Postgraduate Diploma of Business Management, and a Bachelor of Arts from La Trobe University. She is an experienced executive leader with over 16 years in senior roles across community-based, not-for-profit organizations.
Suzi’s leadership career spans CEO, Company Secretary, and senior HR roles, most notably with Shine Bright Early Years Management and Anglicare Victoria. As Head of People and Culture at Bendigo Stadium Ltd, she leads people strategy across four sports and entertainment precincts, employing more than 170 staff.
She is known for her strengths in people leadership, strategic planning, culture change, and workforce development. She is passionate about building engaged, values-driven, and future-ready teams.
Ben Harvey
Head of Community and Commercial Partnerships
With over 25 years of experience in Bendigo, Ben is currently Head of Commercial Partnerships and Community Manager at Red Energy Arena. He has been with the Arena for 15 years, holding roles such as General Manager of Sport, Director of Basketball Operations, and Director of Events Management.
Ben holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management. He has also coached and played over 400 games for the Bendigo Braves in the SEABL/NBL1.
Ben’s background includes 7 years in sales at Southern Cross Austereo, contributing to over 15 years of total sales experience with regional and metro clients. This diverse experience highlights his strong commitment to community and sports development.
Ben also serves as a board member of Bendigo Sports Star, an outstanding initiative championing local sporting achievements.
Jolene Warren
Head of Marketing and Communications
Jolene’s background includes a Bachelor of Media from Macquarie University, with studies in screen, digital media, writing, business administration, and law.
Her expertise lies in brand strategy, marketing, communications, production, and digital. She has held roles at MTV Australia, Foxtel Group, Fremantle Media, and CVGT Employment, and has collaborated with major brands like Telstra and Accor.
Jolene enjoys her role at Red Energy Arena because it allows her to combine creativity with community impact – bringing people together for real-life experiences, and sharing stories in a fun, authentic and inspiring way.
Jolene is passionate about community engagement, creating opportunities for people in regional cities, and enhancing consumer and visitor experiences through technology and innovation. Jolene is also a Bendigo Tourism Board Member.
Jacinta Gee
Head of Customer
Jacinta is a seasoned professional with a background in sports administration and event management. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sports Administration and a Bachelor of Business in Human Resources from Victoria University. Jacinta’s career began with the Australian Commonwealth Games Association, which led her to London to work at the 2012 Olympics.
She has held roles at Cricket Australia, Chemist Warehouse, and Tabcorp, and collaborated with major rights holders including the NBA, NFL, AFL, NRL, and F1 Grand Prix, and brands like Asics, Gillette, and La Roche Posay, to bring large-scale fan activations, content, and promotions to life. Growing up near Bendigo, Jacinta is thrilled to return home and work at Red Energy Arena. This role allows her to combine her passion for sports and events, contributing to the local community.
Jamie-Lee Selvidge
Food & Beverage Events Manager
Originally from Melbourne, Jamie-Lee built her career in clubs and pubs, starting with a chef apprenticeship at Millers Inn Hotel at 18. She then became Head Chef at Altona RSL, supporting front-of-house and managing functions. Jamie-Lee also managed Pound Café for a year and assisted with the setup and management of the Western Bulldogs’ café.
At Club Italia Sporting Club, she progressed from Bistro Manager to Food and Beverage Manager. In this role, she oversaw all front-of-house and kitchen operations, function sales, and event delivery across five function rooms, a canteen, bistro, and bar. Her experience included managing large-scale events like UFC-style fight nights for 600 guests and poker tournaments for over 5,000. Now based in Bendigo, Jamie-Lee offers deep hospitality operations understanding and strong leadership in both kitchen and front-of-house environments.
Mark O’Hehir
Facilities Manager
Mark’s background includes a signwriting apprenticeship, Production Management for Coopers Minerals, and Operations Manager at Warrick Civil Earthmoving. He has spent ten years at Bendigo Bank in various management roles across branches and head office, plus time as Branch Manager at ANZ. Before joining BSL, Mark ran children’s entertainment venues for eight years.
Mark enjoys his role at Red Energy Arena due to collaborations with people and businesses, and working alongside Bendigo Council to create better community services. With BSL now operating four sites – Red Energy Arena, St Arnaud Sporting Club, Borough Club, and Swan Hill Stadium – our goal is to ensure all venues continue to thrive for their respective communities.
