Our Team
Jamie McGleave
General Manager
Prior to joining Propel back in 2014, Jamie had been entrenched in Perth’s creative sector for over 15 years and has taken on various roles as arts practitioner and arts worker. Upon completing Bachelors of Arts in Performance Studies at Curtin University and Arts Management at the West Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA), Jamie spent nine years in venue management and logistical roles at His Majesty’s Theatre, the State Theatre Centre of WA and Perth Festival, also working as Communications & Development Manager at STRUT Dance. Jamie believes our sector needs more support for the young and emerging creatives he meets on a daily basis.
Jamie’s pronouns are he / him / his.
Rebecca Riggs-Bennett
Project Officer
Rebecca is an interdisciplinary artist, electronic music producer and sound designer working between the intersections of performance, installation, community arts and live music. She/they are interested in process-driven, collaborative outcomes that challenge the norms of making, including socially engaged and community-driven storytelling forms. Some of Rebecca’s projects include releasing a debut album as Elsewhere/Rebecca, creating work for numerous festivals and venues including Perth Festival, PICA, MOD Adelaide, Glastonbury Festival and Black Swan State Theatre Company.
Rebecca’s pronouns are she / they.
Phoebe Tan
Communications Officer
Phoebe is a creative powerhouse with an unwavering passion for storytelling, design, and diversity exploration. She brings compelling narratives to life, sparking impactful conversations among creators and audiences. Her artistic odyssey thrives on diverse storytelling, fostering human connections through her work. With a background in Creative Advertising and Graphic Design at Curtin University, and an Arts Business Management Diploma in Singapore, Phoebe currently resides as an in-house Graphic Designer at The Blue Room Theatre, freelances as a designer and marketer for local creatives, and is the founder of Lume Collective Perth. Beyond her professional prowess, her infectious positivity and effervescent nature infuse every project she touches, making collaboration a joyful experience. When recharging, you can find her in the gym, exploring food places, and sharing a recommendation or two.
Phoebe’s pronouns are she / her.
Joanna Hiu
Finance and Administration Officer
Upon completing her bachelor’s in Accounting and Finance at Curtin University and working in accounts payable for a few years, Joanna decided it was time to explore new ventures and get back to what she loved the most, creating art. She founded The Gallery J where she creates botanical earrings and keepsakes with pressed flowers from her home studio in Perth. Equally drawn to the arts, culture and young people, Joanna looked for a way she could use her passion for connecting people to relevant organisations and Propel was the perfect place to do that. When she’s away from her office desk or creating, Joanna is gardening, enjoying good food or trying new creative outlets.
Joanna’s pronouns are she / her.
Kobi Morrison
Community Liaison Officer
Kobi is a 29 year old Bibbulmun Noongar who was born and raised in Perth. While working at the UWA Centre of Social Impact and Propel Youth Arts WA, Kobi spends his spare time playing music, being involved in various music projects such as Koorlong, Koondarm, Madjitil Moorna and Endeavourous, these are projects that earned him the 2018 Perth NAIDOC Youth of the Year award.
Kobi’s pronouns are he / him.
Naoko Uemoto
Creative Coordinator - KickstART 2024
Based in Boorloo (Perth), Naoko is not your ordinary saxophonist. Naoko’s practice blends her classical training and experience in jazz, with improvisational curiosity. Her appetite for experimentation has led has led her to collaborate with a diverse array of local visual artists, dancers, videographers, and composers. In these collaborations, she's woven playful concepts onto the concert stage. From classical saxophone techniques meeting the electrifying beats of dubstep, to embarking on a sonic journey through animations featuring Frankenstein-esque, anthropomorphic fish, and crafting a duck-inspired realm. Naoko finds great joy in being surrounded by such imaginative people, but above all, she is inspired by the strong force of female saxophonists in Boorloo.
Naoko’s pronouns are she / her.