Our Board

Helen Hristofski
Chair

helen@propel.org.au

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

rebeccar@propel.org.au

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.

Ann Curran
Treasurer

ann@propel.org.au

Ann Curran has over 25 years’ experience as a finance professional specializing in WA’s non-profit sector, including community services, health, and outreach programs. She is currently the CFO and Executive responsible for business services at the St Vincent de Paul Society WA. During her executive career, Ann has held responsibility for finance, shared services, internal audit and risk, digital transformation and cyber strategies, leadership development, human resources, and health and safety. Ann believes that the expression of creativity is the collective voice of society and that the arts allow a deeper understanding of emotions and the world.

Ann’s pronouns are she/her.

Dana Nguyen
Secretary

dana@propel.org.au

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.

Kobi Morrison
Board Member

kobi@propel.org.au

Kobi is a Bibbulmun Noongar who was born and raised in Perth. While working at the UWA Centre of Social Impact and as an independent artist and cultural consultant, Kobi spends his spare time playing music and being involved in various music projects such as Koorlong, Koondarm, Madjitil Moorna, and Endeavourous. These projects earned him the 2018 Perth NAIDOC Youth of the Year award. Kobi has been involved with Propel since 2018, including working as the 2020 Creative Coordinator for both the KickstART Festival and KickstART Virtual, as a Project Officer for the Kadjin initiative, and with community liaison work. He is currently a member of the CAN Aboriginal Advisory and Coordinator of Moort Inc.

Kobi’s pronouns are he/him.

Emilee Rippon
Board Member

emilee@propel.org.au

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@propel.org.au

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.