Our Board
The Board is the governing body of Propel and is responsible for driving our strategic direction, govenance, and accountability to laws and industry standards. If you would like to enquire about nominating for the Propel Board, contact us at hello@propel.org.au.
Helen Hristofski
Chair
Helen brings over 20 years of experience and expertise in the arts sector, as a senior manager, executive producer, and advocate for young people's cultural engagement. Helen has commissioned and produced a wide range of productions across theatre, puppetry, dance, and opera, from major festival presentations to small intimate works. She has also designed some of Australia's most innovative and prominent creative learning programs, such as School Drama, and conducted research on the impact of the arts on children's well-being, learning and mental health. Helen has a strong network across the sector and has served as a board member, consultant, and funding assessor for state and federal agencies.
Helen’s pronouns are she/her.
Dr. Rebecca Rey
Vice Chair
Rebecca has over ten years’ experience in education, marketing, research communications and public policy. She brings creativity, playfulness, a pursuit of experimentation and natural curiosity to the table at every discussion. Through her work, Rebecca maintains ongoing engagement with a range of stakeholders across metro and regional WA, including Members of Parliament, community organisations, industry leaders, Indigenous networks, and government and policy representatives.
Rebecca’s pronouns are she/her.
Greg Apps
Treasurer
Greg is a Certified Practicing Accountant with over 12 years’ experience within the Not-For-Profit and Arts and Culture sectors of Perth and Sydney. Armed with a Masters of Professional Accounting and a Bachelor of Arts in Music Business Management up his sleeve, Greg has the breadth of knowledge necessary to support Propel in its ambitious organisational strategies. During his spare time, you can find Greg scouring the crates of a record store or teaching his daughter to skate.
Greg’s pronouns are he/him.
Dana Nguyen
Secretary
Dana is an emerging arts professional who has been on the scene since 2016. With a diverse background in PR, marketing, producing and events she’s worked extensively with local organisations such as The Last Great Hunt, The Blue Room Theatre, Performing Lines, and ARTRAGE where she contributed to major projects including FRINGE WORLD, Rooftop Movies, and Girls School. Dana currently works as Program Administrator at Perth Festival.
Dana’s pronouns are she/her.
Mayma Awaida
Board Member
Mayma is a first-generation Lebanese arts manager interested in community-engaged creative practice. Her work is driven by seeking collaborative methods to explore exchange, reciprocity, and sensory experiences of space, particularly in the public domain. Currently Curator of Spaced’s Know Thy Neighbour #3 program and Creative Producer at Apparatus, her work investigates how the urban and social contexts of place can empower communities to meaningfully engage with their local environments. Previously, Mayma has also been involved with several organisations including DADAA, Perth Festival, Arts Access Victoria, Martumili, Art On The Move, Cool Change, and Fremantle Biennale.
Mayma’s pronouns are she/her.
Hamish McAinsh
Board Member
Hamish is a recent graduate of the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts’ Bachelor of Arts Management, where he served as the student-elected member on WAAPA Advisory Body and The School of WAAPA representative on the ECU Guild. Hamish has volunteered for multiple WA Arts organisations, including the Chamber of Arts and Culture WA, Perth Festival, The Media, Entertainment, and Artists Alliance, and as a tertiary ambassador to the Black Swan State Theatre Company.
Hamish’s pronouns are he/him.
Emilee Rippon
Board Member
Emilee is a young visual artist who grew up in regional WA, and has gained professional experience in business administration, working with young people, and risk management. Emilee currently works in State Government as a risk officer and is about to move into a consulting role in strategic WHS risk resilience. Emilee has completed professional accreditations in risk management, is near completion of a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) and is a member of the Governance Institute of Australia and the Risk Management Institute of Australasia.
Emilee’s pronouns are she/her.
Matthew Tomich
Board Member
Matthew is a not-for-profit professional with over a decade of experience in communications, events and engagement roles in the arts and community sectors. With a background in event management, strategic communications, fundraising, and governance, he’s held positions at RTRFM (where he continues to broadcast, Regional Arts WA, the Youth Affairs Council of WA (YACWA), Waalitj Foundation, and on the Board of Youth Work WA.
Matthew’s pronouns are he/him.