Start-up venture leader to head up Stratford East board

BINDI KARIA has been named chair of the board at Stratford East, taking over from interim co-chairs CHRISTOPHER HIRD and FRANCESCA MOODY.

As an advisor and consultant, Karia sits on the advisory boards of seven start-ups and has leveraged her work to champion platforms that amplify the voices of underrepresented individuals.

She has led start-up and venture initiatives at Microsoft, Silicon Valley Bank, and Molten Ventures, and advised the European Innovation Council.

Outlining her appointment as a natural extension of her two-decade career at the intersection of innovation, technology, community, connectivity and advisory, Karia said: “Theatre. Innovation. Community. They’re all part of the same system. And I’m here to connect them.

“That’s why this role as chair of Stratford East — with its deep roots in storytelling, diversity, and east London’s cultural fabric — feels so right.”

Karia joins the theatre at the start of the tenures for artistic director and co-chief executive LISA SPIRLING and executive director and co-chief executive HANNA STREETER.

“With a new leadership team…the theatre is at an exciting stage of its development,” said Hird and Moody.

“We believe that Bindi’s considerable business experience, her track record as an entrepreneur, her connection with the area through her previous role on the board of governors of the University of East London and her demonstrable passion for theatre and for Stratford East make her the ideal person to lead the board in the coming years of expansion and growth.”