BOARD

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

Treasurer & Secretary

Sarah McIntyre 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.

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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.

Emilia Bell

Emilia Bell is a non-executive director, LIS professional, and PhD candidate. As a proudly disabled, neurodivergent, and queer person, Emilia’s lived experience is a catalyst for community-building and driving meaningful change. In 2023, they were a recipient of the AICD’s Disability Leadership Program, a governance scholarship for leaders with disability.

 

Working across higher education, not-for-profit, and library sectors, Emilia is a board director of the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA), President and Co-Founder of the Alliance for Neurodiversity and Disability in GLAMR Professions Australia (ANDPA), and Manager, Research and Digital Services at Murdoch University Library. Additionally, their doctoral research focuses on open knowledge diplomacy, examining the role of Australian university libraries in fostering open practices for climate scholarship.

Olivia Bell

Originally from Newcastle, Olivia won a scholarship to the prestigious Paris Opera Ballet School when she was 15. She joined The Australian Ballet in 1995, first performing in Anna Karenina. She progressed through the ranks of the company and danced many coveted leads before being promoted to principal artist in 2007.

Olivia has been on numerous Boards including the Children’s Foundation and The Australian Ballet.

She brings a wealth of experience in the arts, philanthropy and fundraising space.

Michael Wakeman

Michael Wakeman is a Chartered Accountant and currently a managing partner. He brings with him an extensive background in both the corporate and public accounting sectors focusing on investigation and communication of financial results outlining key drivers and action plans in conjunction with understanding and improving business processes & controls.

 
In addition to his professional career, Michael’s dedication to having a positive impact in the community and personal resilience is demonstrated through his active involvement with multiple volunteer-based agencies while also completing various ultra-endurance challenges since overcoming an accident in his early teenage years that resulted in a prognosis of never walking again.