Role of the Board
The Board of Canberra Potters’ Society Inc. set the strategic direction for Canberra Potters. We are responsible for oversight of both the Canberra Potters’ and the Watson Arts Centre. This includes the education and artistic programs, the budget and financial operations, identifying and managing different types of risk, delivering value to members and the community and maintaining relationships with strategic partners, including the ACT government.
The Canberra Potters CEO reports to the Board and the Board approves key staff appointments.
Board members are unpaid and serve for terms of two years (and a maximum of four years). We report to the Canberra Potters Society members at the annual general meeting and through quarterly Board Updates.
Our current Board has deep expertise in governance, arts administration, financial management, risk management, law and regulation, ceramics education and ceramic arts.
Board Membership 2024-25
President and Chair of the Board
Veronica Taylor (Canberra Potters’ Member) Member: Finance Committee, 50th Anniversary Committee, Appointments Committees
Qualifications: Bachelor of Arts (Hons), Bachelor of Laws, Graduate Certificate (Interpreting & Translation), Master of Laws, GAICD
Profile: Veronica is a Professor of Law and Regulation and government advisor in the fields of regulation and governance. She has 15 years’ experience as a Director of for-profit and for- purpose companies, associations and government entities and more than 30 years’ experience of strategic planning, budget oversight and managing people and culture. Veronica is a practising ceramicist and has been an active member of Canberra Potters since 2020, after a long creative career in Japanese Tea (Chadô). She was awarded the Japanese Foreign Minister’s Citation in 2017.
Vice President
Moraig McKenna (Canberra Potters’ Member) Member: 50th Anniversary Committee
An internationally known ceramic artist, Moraig has been working as a studio potter for 30 years and has exhibited widely both in Australia and overseas with work in private collections in the US, Singapore, China and Europe and the public collection of Canberra Museum and Gallery. She has worked extensively in the arts and museums sectors in Canberra, most recently as Assistant Director at Craft + Design Canberra. She has been a member of Canberra Potters since 2002 and in 2024 received the Doug Alexander Prize – the most prestigious award for a Canberra Potters’ member.
Qualifications: Master of Arts (Research)(Ceramics)
Secretary
Michelle Watson (Canberra Potters’ Member) Member: Appointments Committees
Qualifications: Bachelor of Visual Arts (Ceramics)
Profile: Michelle is a highly experienced educator with 38 years of service, teaching Visual Arts to secondary students in ACT government schools. Over her career, she held executive teacher roles for 20 years, providing leadership in key areas including Human Resources, International Student Programs, Special Education, and as Head of Faculty for Arts and Technology. Michelle has passionately nurtured generations of students in the creative arts. Outside the classroom, Michelle is an active member of Canberra Potters Society.
Treasurer
Rachael Axford (Independent) Member: Finance Committee
Qualifications: Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting and Management), Certified Practicing Accountant
Profile: Rachael is an experienced accountant with a background in banking in the UK and extensive experience in the not-for-profit sector, predominantly in schools, in Australia. With a strong focus on financial management, budgeting, and compliance, Rachael brings a wealth of expertise to the role of Treasurer.
Ordinary Members
Adeline Jeffrey (Canberra Potters’ Member) Member: 50th Anniversary Committee
Qualifications: Bachelor of Art History and Curatorship, Bachelor of Visual Arts (ANU)
Profile: Adeline is an ACT Government public servant with experience in government consulting and supporting the delivery of government priorities. She has a background in the implementation and evaluation of programs, management of projects and visual communication. Adeline has been involved with the Canberra Potters’ as an intern with the Board (2022-2024) and was re-elected to the Board in 2025. She loves the role arts organisations play in supporting artists, members and the
Nicole James (Canberra Potters’ Member) Member: Appointments Committees
Qualifications: Bachelor of Science, Master of Business Administration
Profile: Nicole is an environmental scientist with over 20 years’ experience in environmental planning, management and policy development. This spans several states and both public and private sectors. Nicole co-owns and manages several businesses.
Sam Chard PSM (Independent) Member: Finance Committee, Appointments Committees
Qualifications: Bachelor of Arts (Visual)(Hons), Graduate Certificate (Market Research), GAICD
Profile: Sam is a senior Commonwealth public servant currently in the Department of Industry, Science and Resources where she oversees a whole of government shared services delivering approx. $7bn of federal grants to businesses. She has extensive experience in integrity, risk and professional conduct
Ordinary Member (Legal) (Independent) Currently vacant
Board Observer
Currently vacant
The Intern position was created to provide an opportunity for recent ANU School of Art and Design graduates to experience how the Board’s work at first hand. It is a pathway for young ceramic artists who aspire to work in arts administration. We anticipate filling this role in the second half of 2025.
