Suzanne Olb is a dynamic Australian creative director with extensive experience in envisioning, programming and leading innovative and accessible arts and culture programs, working with the Arts, community, and governments.

Based in Narrm (Melbourne), Suzanne’s career outlook is international, national and regional. Her experience spans roles such as Company Founding Director and Creative Leader/Producer. She has collaborated extensively with Arts Centre Melbourne, the City of Melbourne, and the Victorian State Government, including various departments, as well as diverse local governments and numerous corporate and commercial clients.

Suzanne has brought new experiences to Australia’s cultural landscape across her career. She pioneered Melbourne’s New Year’s Eve celebrations and has led diverse innovative commissions and collaborations. Her early championing of Indigenous talent through high-profile showcases in Melbourne’s CBD has been formative in her strong commitment to First Nations self-determination.

Suzanne has created and curated culturally specific programs and events showcasing traditional and contemporary art forms. Often engaging mass audiences, she connects communities and celebrates cultural diversity. Governments, museums, institutions and commercial precincts have commissioned Suzanne to develop new and existing festivals and thematic launches for major new facilities.

For more than two decades, Suzanne’s Arts-led event management company, explosivemedia earned a reputation for impactful programs. explosivemedia engaged and developed a network of skilled Arts professionals and creatives.

More recently, as Arts & Culture Programs Lead and Storytelling Festival Director at Glen Eira City Council, Suzanne worked across the municipality to powerfully engage a culturally diverse community and activate cultural tourism.

Suzanne is recognised for her cultural leadership and management. She optimises resources, whether significant or lean. She has managed complex budgets across complex artistic collaborations.

Her signature negotiation and stakeholder relations expertise has been pivotal to success. Her commanding interpersonal skills and robust marketing communications have optimised audience engagement and participation.

Core competencies include audience development and growth underpinned by advanced negotiation, communication and stakeholder relations, plus inspiring company governance and leadership. These, combined with a collaborative and highly strategic approach, have fostered investments of hundreds of thousands of dollars, sometimes for a single project.