AWEA Executive Committee Members
Committee Members volunteer their time, expertise and passion to the West End community and are all members of the Adelaide West End Association.
President – Amanda Pepe
Amanda has had a long career in journalism and media, arts, hospitality and not-for-profits.
She has deep links with food and hospitality, arts and government in SA and is currently employed at MOD., at UniSA. She is Chair of ACE (Adelaide Contemporary Experimental art gallery), and a member of the Norwood, Payneham and St Peters Council Business and Economic Development Advisory Committee.
She has previously served as Deputy Chair of Music SA, inaugural Chair of The Mill, director of Adelaide (UNESCO) City of Music, and director of CanDo4Kids.
With her husband, Salvatore Pepe, she has been involved in multiple food-related businesses, from restaurants and cafes to catering and food tourism, culminating in their current fresh pasta manufacturing venture, Pasta Pepe.
Amanda has extensive experience participating in committee and board work, and has a strong personal interest in cultural diversity and the importance of art and culture in building an effective and cohesive community. She is bilingual (Italian).
Vice President – Gianna Murphy
Gianna began with Renew Adelaide in 2016, advancing from project manager to head of property and becoming CEO in 2022. With a background spanning property, non-profit, and hospitality – including founding her own micro-bakery, Motherdough – she brings a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing South Australian small businesses.
Passionate about community, place identity, and creating vibrant, inclusive spaces, Gianna’s work at Renew Adelaide reflects her belief in the powerful connection between property, small business, the public sector, and the communities they shape, and stands as a testament to her love for the city.
Acting Treasurer – Andrew Wallace
Bio coming soon
Public Officer – James Economos
James Economos is a registered Architect and Director of Econ Property Group, a well established privately owned property development and investment group with a predominant focus and investment in the West End.
James specialises in adaptive reuse of heritage buildings and activation of main streets and laneways. He is committed to help make Adelaide a vibrant , unique, world class city. James also sits as committee member for the Adelaide Business Collective.
www.econgroup.com.au
Taren Hocking
Taren is a passionate business leader and driven producer who brings a dynamic entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to delivering exceptional value to all she does.
An impact player who understands the importance of building trusted relationships as a core foundation of success in any endeavour. Taren is a strategic brand and marketing pro with over 25 years of experience, gained in a range of environments from corporate, SME, not for profit and government to tourism, retail, media & the arts. In her consultancy, she has consistently delivered innovative programs and projects to drive growth. She is currently Director of Brand and Partnerships for the Global Women Rising initiative supported by Microsoft.
Taren has historic family connections with the West End and the Association and she is honoured to continue to champion the precinct and city of Adelaide.
Along side her corporate position, the role as President of the AWEA gives Taren an opportunity to use her connections and skills to give back, actively collaborating with major South Australian institutions, agencies and festivals to support the diverse group of businesses, individuals, and organisations that make the West End unique.
Christine Ormsby – Visualcom
Christine has extensive experience in Sales, Marketing, Sponsorship and Events in Adelaide and Sydney. She has worked on Major Sporting Events, collaborating with partners and sponsors and worked with Global Brand launches in Retail, Hospitality and Travel. She drives the passion and vision for Visualcom’s contribution to offer more sustainable print and signage solutions and loves leading an environment that is both cultural and gender diverse.
www.visualcom.com.au
Nikki Hamdorf – JamFactory
Nikki is the Development Director at JamFactory, proudly located in Adelaide’s West End Creative Precinct since 1992. JamFactory has been championing the social, cultural and economic value of craft and design in daily life for 50 years, and represents hundreds of independent artists and designers from across Australia, and works with industrial manufacturers, Aboriginal Art Centres, material suppliers, architects, interior designers, chefs, wine makers and more…
Like JamFactory, Nikki’s networks are diverse. Working directly and consulting across areas of government, media, corporate and the community, Nikki is dedicated to identifying, promoting and cultivating relationships and trade channels at the highest level, working collaboratively to achieve positive outcomes, embracing all opportunities to contribute in shared knowledge for progress.
She believes the West End and Adelaide’s beauty is in its scale, diversity, creativity, people and accessibility.
Becc Bates – Light ADL
Becc is the Chief Executive Officer of ILA – Adelaide’s home for immersive art and entertainment, where the ordinary becomes extraordinary.
Becc leads the dynamic team at ILA to produce and present immersive experiences in a distinctive building where technology, food, arts and entertainment converge.
Prior to joining ILA, Becc’s career has taken her through economic development, management in the music industry, and into state government, where she held the role as Director of Creative Industries. During this time, she led development of transformative policies to support creative enterprise.
A recognised leader, Becc received the Public Service Medal in 2024 for her contributions to South Australia’s music and creative industries.
Jodie McDonald – StudyAdelaide
After a career in marketing, communications, and stakeholder management in diverse sectors including the arts, major events, finance and education, Jodie McDonald joined StudyAdelaide in 2017.
StudyAdelaide is a partnership between industry and government working to increase awareness of Adelaide as an international study destination and to provide a welcoming and rewarding experience for the international students that choose to make Adelaide home through programs to support them make social, community, and career connections.
As StudyAdelaide’s Director, Engagement & Partnerships, Jodie leads the development and delivery of these programs including over 100 events, student and employer resource Employment Connect, and the award-winning Job Shop, a free platform connecting students with part-time, casual, and volunteer opportunities in Adelaide.
She is pleased to join the association, representing the international students who live, work, and play in the city, contributing to the vibrancy, character and community of the West End precinct.
Rachel Toop – Adelaide University
Rachel Toop is a Business Development Manager at the newly established Adelaide University. She has built her career at the intersection of arts, community, policy, placemaking and research translation, holding leadership roles across cultural festivals, precinct authorities, government and universities including the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Melbourne Writers Festival, Rundle Mall Management Authority, MOD., State Government, and the National Young Writers’ Festival. In her current role, she forges collaborations that connect community and industry with the University, creating pathways for collaborative research, consultancy, partnerships, education and training.
Rachel is passionate about strengthening Adelaide’s West End as a place to live, work, study and play. As Adelaide University takes shape with its creative home and biomedical precinct anchored in the West End, she champions the role of creativity, community, design, health and collaboration in shaping a resilient, inclusive and future-focused institution, one that is deeply connected to the city and its communities.
Alice McKenzie – Nation
Alice is a Copywriter at NATION, an advertising, brand strategy and design consultancy that creates what matters in collaboration with values-aligned clients, including Adelaide West End Association.
Based on Waymouth St, Alice authors integrated creative concepts for projects in the arts and culture, local placemaking, and social good spaces.
Beth Neate – Guildhouse
Bio coming soon
John Retsas – The Adella Group
Bio coming soon
Harry Townsend – Belle's Hot Chicken
Bio coming soon
Sheldon Parmenter – Fox in a Box
Bio coming soon
Sibil Phillip – TAFE SA
Bio coming soon