Bec Cole is the Chair of NETS Victoria, a Research Fellow at Deakin University and Coordinator, Arts, Culture and Local History at Manningham City Council. She has previously worked extensively in local government spanning leadership, strategic and creative programming roles across public art, galleries, performing arts, major event and activity centre settings. Bec is a former Director of Latrobe Regional Gallery, led the establishment of Gippsland Performing Arts Centre and is a champion of creating access to contemporary art for everyone. Previously, Bec was the Executive Director and Co-CEO of Footscray Community Arts and led the Arts & Culture program at Wyndham City Council. She implemented a bold exhibition program at Wyndham Art Gallery, establishing a curatorial model of practice that supports a diversity of perspectives and raised the profile of the gallery to national presence. Bec holds a Master of Commerce with specialties in business, economics and marketing; winning the prestigious RMIT Master of Commerce Prize in 2018. She also holds a Master of Community Cultural Development from the Victorian College of the Arts. Bec regularly writes articles on culture, creativity and community, and has an extensive background in community engagement and policy. Bec is proudly palawa.