Lin Bender Consulting works collaboratively with social purpose organisations to build sustainable business models that better address the needs of the communities they serve. Strategic revenue generation, marketing and communications, stakeholder engagement and advocacy, and identifying partnership opportunities across sectors including government, corporate, philanthropic and private giving.

Appointed CEO in 2013 at a time of transition for the Helen Macpherson Smith Trust. Developed and implemented a new strategic approach to grantmaking, operations and communications. Initiated supportive grantseeker and grantee engagement, sector partnership and philanthropic collaboration. Across the eight years, 500+ grants totalling $37m contributed to access, equity and social justice in Victoria.

Developed the ANAMbassador and ANAMates programs. Two private giving programs that established a long-term core revenue stream of unrestricted income. Undertook Acting General Manager role March-April 2012,

Streamlined operations and restructured administration for increased efficiency;- Implemented new marketing and communications strategy;- Established new revenue streams; - Introduced new programming including ‘Musical Portraits’, which won a national industry award;

Researched best industry practice benchmarks and established and serviced the 70‐strong, national Industry Reference Group;- Developed and co‐authored the Recital Hall Brief and Business Case for an independent presenting hall, adopted by government;;- Guided the design process and was a permanent member of the Project Control Group; - Developed the vision, mission, operational strategy and income generating strategy; - Advised government on the new governance structure;- Developed and implemented the marketing strategy including brand and market positioning;- Reported to Government and serviced the Board and Sub‐Committees;- Established and launched the Melbourne Recital Centre Endowment Fund with $2M gift

Developed the annual AbaF Awards as a key strategy for:-Promoting AbaF’s agenda;-Benchmarking best industry practice in business arts partnerships & philanthropy;-Building a cohort of influential business, arts & philanthropy leaders as ambassadors;-Creating a powerful national forum for AbaF Councillor advocacy; -Building a long-term revenue stream to support a series of major AbaF initiatives.

Established the Melbourne International Chamber Music Competition (MICMC) as an internationally acclaimed music competition;- Developed and implemented a sustainable income generation strategy through a combination of earned income, government funding, corporate partnership and philanthropy; - Secured an influential international panel of Artistic Advisors and unprecedented international prize engagements;- Initiated the National Competition in 1997, setting the path for Melbourne’s burgeoning chamber music scene;- MICMC ‘99 attracted audiences of 45,000+, a national radio audience 375 million and television audiences in Australia and Europe of several million.