Shrine executive team

The role of the Executive Team is to implement strategy and direct the day-to-day activities of the Shrine. Meet the team.

Dean Lee
Chief Executive Officer

Dean Lee was appointed Chief Executive Officer at Victoria’s Shrine of Remembrance in July 2015. He provides strategic and governance support to the Shrine of Remembrance Trustees and operational leadership to the Shrine, its executive team and personnel. Dean is an accomplished executive professional with more than 30 years international experience in commercial, not-for-profit and government roles spanning the commemorative, tourism, membership and environment sectors. Dean holds a Bachelor of Applied Science and Executive MBA and has achieved professional certification with the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Project Management International and the Australian Institute of Management.

Sue Burgess
Director Public Programs

Sue Burgess has worked in museums in Australia and Singapore since 2010. She oversees exhibition, education, volunteer and public program development and implementation at the Shrine. Sue is passionate about history and engaging visitors in memorable and high-quality experiences. She has managed training teams, led the implementation of education and volunteer programs, developed and collaboratively directed curators and educators in the conceptualisation and interpretation of special exhibitions and digital production initiatives.

Sue Curwood
Marketing Director

Sue is a seasoned marketing and communications leader with deep expertise in the cultural and museum sectors. She has led award-winning brand, marketing, and communication strategies that have significantly increased public engagement, visitation, and revenue for some of Melbourne’s most loved institutions. Sue heads all marketing and communications efforts, shaping how audiences discover and connect with the Shrine’s powerful stories of service and sacrifice. She is passionate about making cultural experiences meaningful and accessible, and about amplifying the role of the Shrine as a place of reflection, learning, and remembrance.

Ryan Johnston
Director Visitor Experience

Ryan has extensive audience engagement experience across the museum, cultural, and higher education sectors. Previous roles include the inaugural Director of Buxton Contemporary Art Museum, and Head of Academic Programs (Museums and Collections) at the University of Melbourne. From 2012 to 2018 Ryan was Head of Art at the Australian War Memorial, where he oversaw Australia’s official war art scheme along with a broad range of other commemorative programming.

Staff

The Shrine employs 40 staff (approximately 30 FTE) who deliver day to day programs and perform activities that support the organisation’s Mission.