Lara McKay joins the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation with 20 years experience as a Marketing and Communications specialist.  As a genuine marketing/communications hybrid, Lara has developed multi-million dollar brand campaigns as well as managed significant crises and reputational risk for organisations in the government, health and higher education sectors. 

Before joining GOLDOC, Lara held the position of Executive Director, Marketing and Communications at the University of Melbourne, where the Marketing and Communications functions were brought together under her leadership to ensure effective marketing and brand strategies were communicated to audiences locally, nationally and globally. While at the University, Lara led the development of a two year, category-breaking brand strategy and campaign which received multiple national and international awards.

Prior to working in higher education Lara held senior roles in the Queensland Government, most recently as the Executive Director, State Services at the Department of Premier and Cabinet.  In this role Lara was responsible for the development of large-scale multi-channel marketing and communications initiatives aligned to key Government priorities, as well as overseeing a program of major public events such as Australia Day and Queensland Week celebrations and Royal Visits.  Lara also assisted the bids for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games and the 2014 G20 Leaders Summit in Brisbane. 

As General Manager, Lara leads the Communications and Marketing Division within GOLDOC, which encompasses marketing, brand, media relations, communications, content management, publications, campaigns, digital media, promotions and events.