Meet The Team

Chair

Mark Gerber is the CEO, Founder, and Licensee of the Oxford Art Factory, one of Sydney’s most iconic and enduring live music and arts venues. He brings a wealth of experience in the arts, design, and nightlife to his role, with over 18 years of hands-on leadership at OAF. During this time, Mark has built a strong reputation for championing emerging talent, curating diverse cultural programming, and navigating the complexities of running an independent venue.
Mark was a founding member of Save Our Stages NSW, a grassroots movement formed to protect live music venues during the COVID-19 crisis. He has regularly advised state and local governments on live music issues throughout his career. He has actively engaged in lobbying efforts, meeting with federal ministers and working closely with state ministers to push for meaningful policy change. Mark continues this advocacy as a key Live Music Venues Alliance member and brings insight, experience, and a passionate voice for venue sustainability and the broader night-time economy.

President

Tyla Dombroski is the Director and CEO of Crowbar, a multi-city live music venue group based in Sydney and Brisbane. With over 13 years in the industry, Tyla is committed to building inclusive, sustainable, artist- and audience-driven spaces for live music. As President of the Live Music Venues Alliance NSW, Advisory Board member for Sound NSW, and Founding Board member for Australian Music Venues Foundation, she advocates for venues, artists, and the broader industry—working closely with government and organisations to strengthen the sector. Tyla’s focus on innovation, commercial viability, and collaboration supports a vibrant future for live music in Australia.

Deputy

Sam Nardo is a seasoned leader in Australia's live entertainment sector, with over 17 years at Century Venues, where he currently serves as Chief Operating Officer. He oversees a portfolio of iconic venues including the Enmore Theatre, Metro Theatre, Factory Theatre, The Concourse Performing Arts Centre, and venue services for The University of Sydney’s Manning Bar, playing a central role in shaping Sydney’s cultural and live performance landscape.
In addition to his operational leadership, Sam is a committed industry advocate. He is a founding member of Save Our Stages NSW, a coalition of over 70 independent venues formed during the COVID-19 pandemic to lobby for critical government support.
In 2022, Sam was appointed to the board of the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA), where he continued to champion policies that strengthen and sustain New South Wales’ night-time economy.
Sam’s career reflects a deep commitment to the long-term viability of Australia’s live music and performance sectors, and to their vital role in the nation’s cultural fabric.

Treasurer

Nick led the realisation of one of the largest pieces of public infrastructure delivered and funded by local government, The Concourse - an entertainment and performing arts precinct in the heart of Chatswood. The second largest Performing Arts Centre in NSW after the Sydney Opera House. The unique long-term sustainable funding model and project plan developed for the precinct by Nick and his team was groundbreaking and has become a leading model across local government.
Nick’s leadership roles have covered a breadth of Local Government innovations and delivery including efficient service delivery, long term financial planning and unique financial modelling, property development, strategic planning and policy development as well as stakeholder management and engagement of diverse communities, government and industry.

Greg Khoury has specialised in the establishment and revitalisation of live performance venues and heritage theatres since co-founding Save Our Stages with David Nettheim, Federal President of Actors Equity in 1984. With a lifelong passion for the arts and cultural heritage, Greg has created and driven new business, cultural enterprises, and stewarded change in a variety of organisations and settings. As the Executive Director of Century Venues Group and the Victoria Theatre Revitalisation Project, Greg proudly continues his commitment to ensuring creative communities thrive.

Nathan is founder and co-owner/manager of La La La’s Wollongong.
With over 15 years experience in the live music, events and hospitality industry. Nathan has been an advocate for developing more live music programming, spaces and events in the Wollongong region. With a passion for music and community building, Nathan is committed to providing a platform for both local talent and touring acts to thrive.

Steven Shaw is Vistage CEO Chair, Board Adviser to Live Music Venue Alliance - NSW, and Non-Executive Director/Chair of the Capital Raising Committee at Metallicum Minerals Corporation, with over 20 years’ experience in finance, private wealth, and asset management. He has held senior roles at Macquarie Bank, NAB Private, and Woodbury, and runs his own financial planning business. Steven holds an MBA, finance degree, and advanced planning accreditations. As an ASIC-appointed Responsible Manager, he has led compliance and governance frameworks. A husband and father, Steven plays guitar, piano and drums, and provides pro bono financial advice to musicians. He dreams of seeing his son perform with Rock Star Music School — maybe even on stage at Crowbar one day.

Nick Milligan has been a passionate entertainment writer and cultural commentator for over 23 years, using thousands of column inches and magazine pages to champion and profile emerging songwriters, artists and events. He is currently the film critic on ABC 1233’s Breakfast show.
Based in Newcastle, Nick has formed strong connections with the live music and arts community throughout the Hunter region. Outside of journalism Nick has worked in festival and touring promotion, venue booking, social media marketing and band management.
Nick is also a proud member of the Victoria Theatre’s Campaign Cabinet, a think-tank of Hunter industry professionals working behind the scenes to advocate for and support the anticipated re-opening of the historic Victoria Theatre in Newcastle.
Nick is also the curator of the annual Words & Music event for Newcastle Writers Festival, a 90-minute concert held at Newcastle’s Conservatorium of Music that brings emerging and established songwriters into the festival program.

Beau Neilson is the owner and operator of The Vanguard in Newtown, one of Sydney's most respected independent live music rooms. Since acquiring the 200-capacity venue in 2024, Beau has maintained its commitment to original music, hosting Australian and international artists across diverse genres.
With over 17 years in the arts and creative industries, Beau brings extensive experience across cultural governance and policy. She serves on the board of MusicNSW, is a trustee of the Powerhouse Museum, and sits on the NSW Government's 24-Hour Economy Advisory Council. Previously, she was Creative Director and Executive Producer of Phoenix Central Park, giving her firsthand insight into operating venues under both philanthropic and commercial models.
Through the Live Music Venues Alliance, Beau advocates for policy reform and sustainable funding models, focused on building industry solidarity and ensuring independent venues have a unified voice in shaping the sector's future.

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