Merryn works as an independent consultant with arts and government organisations of all shapes and sizes around Australia, in planning, strategy development, audience research and ticketing evaluation. She has designed and presented professional development programs for the Australia Council for the Arts, PAC Australia, CircuitWest, Country Arts SA and RAV and worked as Marketing Mentor with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Arts organisations. She provided management support to the Chair and Council of PATA (the Performing Arts Touring Alliance) 2013- 2018. Recent projects include the National Performing Arts Touring Scan for the Meeting of Cultural Ministers, managed by the Australia Council.

Merryn’s experience includes senior management positions with major performing arts companies (Sydney Symphony and Melbourne Theatre Company), managing local government arts venues and community cultural development programs, and consulting in audience development, marketing, and research for a wide range of organisations nationally including regional performing arts centres, major performing arts companies, arts peak bodies (including PAC Australia, Theatre Network Australia, CircuitWest, VAPAC, Country Arts SA and RAV), visual arts, crafts and design organisations, festivals, art galleries, dance, and commercial arts organisations.

Merryn has a strong interest in good governance, and has held several board positions. She was a board member of Red Stitch Actors Theatre from 2012 to 2017.

Originally trained as a musician (she holds a Bachelor of Music from the University of Melbourne), she is also a graduate of the Master of Business Administration program at Melbourne Business School.