Lea McBride

Lea McBride
She/Her
Director, Vegan Festival Adelaide

With a career path that’s been anything but conventional, I’ve found festivals and events to be uniquely fulfilling. With over 20 years of experience in event management, leadership, and community building, I’ve built a career fuelled by curiosity, determination, and a passion for connecting people. 

After volunteering for the Vegan Festival in 2015-16, I took on the director role in 2017. Unable to secure paid work in the sector, I created my own opportunities. The Vegan Festival Adelaide has since grown into a multi-award-winning event recognized both nationally and internationally. Building on this success, I launched spin-offs like Vegan Palooza, the Vegan Film Festival, and Vegan Picnic. In 2018-2019, my love of gin sparked the creation of Gincident, tapping into South Australia’s booming distillery scene.  

There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing an idea come to life and watching venues fill with smiling faces. As a director, I thrive on the creative freedom to experiment and innovate. My ability to combine bold ideas with practical execution has been key to transforming concepts into memorable events. 

Though I didn’t follow a traditional academic path, real-world experience has been my greatest teacher. Volunteering in challenging roles sharpened my skills in event planning, stakeholder engagement, and bringing creative visions to life.  

In my current role, I’ve spent a decade growing the Vegan Festival Adelaide into a celebrated event that unites and inspires thousands each year and was honoured to win a Citizen of the Year award for Community Events in 2022. Alongside this, I’ve coordinated international conferences and managed a diverse range of events across SA and beyond. 

The biggest lesson I’ve learned is to stay flexible and embrace challenges. For anyone starting out, my advice is simple: volunteer, take risks, and explore your passion. If opportunities don’t come to you, create them—you never know what amazing things might happen!  

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This article is part of the Festival & Event Industry Career Profiles series, a collection highlighting the diverse stories of Adelaide’s finest festival professionals. 

Photography by: Jack Fenby