People

Hannah is an artist, curator and festival director with a focus on sound art, large-scale public art, contemporary music and live art. Prior to her role as RISING Co-Artistic Director, Hannah worked as Artistic Associate at Melbourne Festival; and as the Associate Creative Director of Dark Mofo.

Her broad spectrum of work has included performance interventions for the Tate Modern, a Janes Addiction stage show, and choreographing cranes and forklifts for a large-scale car stunt show. She’s a founding member of the creative partnership Supple Fox, which currently collaborates with artist Byron J Scullin on work including the large-scale, outdoor sonic artwork Siren Song, which continues to be remounted in cities around the world.

Gideon is an artistic director, choreographer and performing arts curator. He founded dance company Chunky Move in the mid-90s and was CEO and Artistic Director until 2012. His diverse works for the company included stage productions, installations, site-specific works, participatory events and film. These have been performed in festivals and theatres around the world including Edinburgh International, Southbank London, BAM New York and all major Australian performing arts festivals.

Gideon was also Artist in Residence with Sydney Theatre Company, Artistic Associate with the Melbourne Festival, co-curator for ‘XO State’ at AsiaTOPA, and Chair of the Melbourne Fringe Festival.

Simon is a partner at EY Port Jackson Partners, a founding partner of the Dux Project, and former Secretary of the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions. With a diverse public service career, he is passionate about building Victoria’s economy, securing major events like the Australian Open and Formula 1 Grand Prix to benefit all Victorians.

Amrita, of Bundjulung / Ngapuhi territories, is an artist working with dance, choreography, video, performance, installation and objects. Her work considers the body’s relationship to personal histories and the archive. From 2019 to 2020 she was a RISING artistic advisor, is a Gertrude Contemporary artist in residence and is currently working with Kaldor projects/Serpentine UK as a participating do it artist. In 2018 she was named in Forbes Asia’s 30 under 30 list.

Craig is the Chief Executive Officer of the City of Whittlesea Council, and has held previous senior roles in Local Government, State Government and a range of emergency service agencies. He is also an award winning recording and performing country music artist, and songwriter. Craig is Member of the Music Victoria Board, and lives in Regional Victoria.

Craig is Tournament Director of the Australian Open and CEO of Tennis Australia. Under his leadership the Australian Open now boasts annual attendances of over 790,000 people, a global audience of 1 billion and an annual economic impact of $300 million. As a Male Champion of Change, Craig works to shift mindsets around gender equality and diversity on the tennis court and in the workplace.

David is the founder of Media Arts Lawyers where he represents high-profile musicians, celebrities and entertainment companies. He chairs the board of Australian Independent Record Labels Association, is a board member of Australian Recording Industry Association and the Phonographic Performance Company of Australia. He was previously a board member of the Melbourne International Film Festival.

Elizabeth M. Dax AM is a director and board chair with a focus on governance, finance, and risk in the not-for-profit sector. Formerly Director of Australia’s National Reference Laboratory, she has held leadership roles in national and international HIV/AIDS organizations. A physician and scientist, she also led a WHO Collaborating Centre on virus diagnostics.

Vicky Zaparas is the founder of Vicky Zaparas Interiors, exhibiting at the National Gallery of Victoria. Formerly Brand Manager at The Body Shop Australia, she helped establish the Hellenic Museum Ladies Society and is an Australian Ballet Ambassador. With expertise in design, fashion, and marketing, she champions Victoria’s creative industries on a global stage.

Martin Foley sits on a number of creative sector Boards bringing his experience as a senior Minister in the Victorian Government to assist organisations, communities, creatives and governments to deliver artistic, creative, social and economic value. He also works across a number of health and social care areas. He joined the RISING Board in 2023.

Kerri is a partner at Ernst & Young and focuses on providing CFO advisory services. Kerri has a keen interest in the arts and supporting various community activities in Melbourne. She has served on the boards for Malthouse Theatre board and the Centre for Contemporary Photography.