We are very grateful to our Board Members and our key Patron - David McAllister.
They help us achieve our mission by donating their time and efforts by engaging with us in research, working groups, partnerships and generation of ideas.
BOARD MEMBERS
David McAllister
Key Patron
Ballet Without Borders is thrilled to welcome David McAllister as an official patron. Former artistic director at the Australian Ballet and before that a principal artist with the company, David brings a wealth of knowledge and passion that will be instrumental in supporting the mission of the organisation.
David joined the Australian Ballet in 1983 and was promoted to senior artist in 1986 and to principal artist in January 1989. In 2000, he completed a Graduate Diploma in Arts and Entertainment Management and in 2001, took his final bow as a dancer after a performance of Albrecht in Giselle at the Sydney Opera House. In July of that year, David became artistic director of The Australian Ballet. He was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia in the 2004 Australia Day Honours List. As director and choreographer, he gifted the company with numerous innovations and a lavish and widely acclaimed new production of The Sleeping Beauty, funded largely through donations from philanthropic supporters, and three works in the Storytime Ballet series made especially for young children.
“‘Ballet is an art form that is elite in its endeavour, but grassroots at its appeal. Ballet Without Borders enables all children to experience the joy of ballet regardless of their circumstances. It is wonderful for all young dancers they support to have the opportunity to live their dreams and express themselves through ballet.”
Katia Kullengren
President and Founder
Chief of Staff, Settlement Services International
Her passion for ballet combined with her passion for enabling the arts to be accessible to all children regardless of their socio-economic status lead to the establishment of Ballet Without Borders in 2016. Having realised how inaccessible this art form is for many people, including herself when she was a child, Katia wanted to ensure that every child should have the opportunity to experience the joy of ballet.
"Ballet teaches you discipline, drive, musicality, all of these wonderful life skills combined with the joy and health benefits of movement. Why should a child who does not have the opportunity to attend a ballet class due to their socio-economic status miss out? I want to give this opportunity to all those children who would otherwise never attend a ballet class, they may not fall in love with this art form but they will have had the opportunity to experience it. An opportunity all to often denied."
Sarah Vick
Vice-President
Sarah is a marketing and sponsorship professional with experience in Australia and the USA. Working for companies such as IMG, The Black Eyed Peas and most recently, seven years with The Australian Ballet, Sarah can navigate the often incongruous line between the Arts and Corporate sector to achieve shared goals.
Sarah is a self confessed bun-head. As an audience member, she feels the transformative power of ballet provides a delightful escape from today's manic world . As a mother, she believes ballet provides children with invaluable life skills such as discipline, persistence and an appreciation for the Arts. She is dedicated to assisting Ballet Without Borders in their mission to democratise ballet in Australia, making it accessible to all children regardless of their socio-economic status.
Sarah McIntyre
Sarah McIntyre, as the Secretary and Treasurer of Ballet Without Borders, combines her expertise in investment management and commercial transactions with a lifelong passion for ballet. Currently serving as a Senior Investor Relations Advisor at Lendlease, she excels in cultivating relationships with institutional investors and their consultants. Leveraging her Master's Degree in Applied Finance and Bachelor's degree in Property Economics, Sarah harnesses her financial acumen to drive the organisation's success in fostering sustainable growth. By expanding its reach, Ballet Without Borders can touch the lives of more children, offering them the transformative power of ballet and empowering them to thrive both artistically and personally. Sarah's unwavering dedication and financial expertise play a pivotal role in ensuring Ballet Without Borders ability to make a lasting impact on the lives of these young dancers.
Angela Langmann
Board Member, ex Amazon
Angela is an experienced e-commerce executive and worked at Amazon for over 16 years in the US, UK and Australia. She held roles in Marketing, Buying, Supply Chain, and General Management which has given her extensive experience in technology, innovation, people management, and end-to-end P&L management. Angela is currently mentoring start-ups at Techstars, Antler VC, and Loyal VC. Over the course of her career, she has been an active champion of DEI and is passionate about seeing her team achieve their potential. Angela grew up learning ballet in the same dance studio her Mother learned in and believes the power of ballet is a vital foundation for early childhood. She wants to ensure every child has the chance to feel the magic of ballet at some point in their lives.
Sancha Donald
Board Member & General Manager 2RPH
Sancha was appointed General Manager of radio 2RPH in early 2017. She is driven by the desire to create well-functioning and connected communities that enable all individuals to reach their full potential.
The function of her position is a mixture of leadership and management, to ensure that the station is a leading radio reading service delivering relevant, contemporary programs of the highest standards.
Prior to 2RPH, Sancha held the position of CEO at Accessible Arts, a role that focused on championing and advancing opportunities for people with disabilities in the arts.
Sancha has also held positions in teaching, sports administration, elite sports team management, and as CEO of Technical Aid for the Disabled.
Drew Hedditch
Board Member & Artist with The Australian Ballet
Drew was born in Canberra. He started tap-dancing at the age of five and ballet at the age of eight, training at the Lisa Clark Dance Centre. Drew joined The Australian Ballet School’s full-time program in 2011. During his time at the school he toured with The Dancers Company in 2012 and 2013, and performed at the Assemblée International in Toronto in 2013. He joined The Australian Ballet in 2014 and was promoted to coryphée in 2018.
Will Daymond
Board Member & Lawyer
Will is Head of Legal and Compliance (ANZ) at Galderma, the world's leading company solely dedicated to skin and advancing the future of dermatology. Prior to Galderma, Will was Group Legal Counsel (Asia Pacific) at Associated British Foods, an international food, ingredients and retail group responsible for numerous household brands in Australia and New Zealand including Tip Top, Don, Yumi’s, Twinings, Patak’s and Mazzetti. Prior to joining Associated British Foods, Will was an intellectual property lawyer and technology lawyer at Corrs Chambers Westgarth. When Will isn’t working, he will often be chasing after his 2.5 year old son, cycling or curling up on the couch with a good book. Will believes that children should be afforded every opportunity possible, a concept that ties perfectly with Ballet Without Borders.
Catherine Crouch
Board Member & Dr
Catherine is a doctor, working as a registrar in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Royal North Shore Hospital in Sydney. Catherine is passionate about ballet, and trained from 3 years old in the Cecchetti method of classical ballet under Robyn Ross. She completed her Associate teaching qualifications and attained the Maestro Cecchetti Diploma. While studying Medicine at the University of Sydney she taught at Cecchetti schools on Sydney’s North Shore, entering students into exams and eisteddfods. She wants to see a world where all children have the opportunity to learn and enjoy ballet.