Our People

Gary Hodge BA (UWA) MA Social Psychology & Cognitive and Neurosciences (University of Durham UK) and Harvard Leadership Action Learning Program (USA and Australia)

Through the holding of senior executive positions in both the private and government sectors, as well as through a commitment to community volunteering, Gary brings a background of experience in leadership, visioning and related strategic planning skills.

In the private sector, Gary has most recently worked for 18 years in the USA, United Kingdom, Ireland, New Zealand and Australia in his academic disciplines – the cognitive and neurosciences. In this work there has been a particular interest and focus on individual as well as corporate and community health and wellbeing. This work has also involved sitting on two global neuroscience research committees (1993- 2000).

In government, Gary held the positions of Director General of Transport (WA), Assistant Director General of Education (QLD), Founding Executive Director Office of Road Safety (WA), Executive Director (Transport Infrastructure) and Senior Consultant for the Arts (Department of Education WA) (1985-2003).

In most recent community volunteering, Gary has overseen the establishment of the Balingup Arts and Cultural Hub (BACH) which has employed 102 professional artists across multiple disciplines over the past two years as well as extensive community engagement programs employing arts practitioners.

Through working with the local progress association, Gary has worked with a volunteer group between 2018 and 2024 and has planned and commissioned an international rail consultancy to undertake a feasibility study into the reopening of the South West railway line with zero emission strains. Prior to that, he chaired the management committee of the Golden Valley Tree Park, the State’s largest arboretum and only major regional botanical gardens outside of Kings Park.

In contemporary dance, Gary chaired Two Dance Plus and Buzz Dance Theatre. In terms of safeguarding youth mental health and wellbeing, Gary chaired the State’s Community Safety and Crime Prevention and Environmental Education Councils.

Gary’s chairing style aspires to be inclusive and consensus-based and being guided by the stated values of the organisation or management committee.

Tatyana brings expertise in financial accounting and reporting, budgeting, financial planning and analysis, project management, corporate governance, financial audit, risk and controls optimisation, internal audit, compliance, and  financial consulting services that comes from 10 years of work at PwC Australia and PwC Russia. 

Tatyana’s management and business strategy expertise comes from her wealth of experience in various positions. In her current role as Project Manager – Group Finance at Intertek Group Plc. (FTSE 100 company), she is responsible for integration of acquisitions, technical accounting and projects related to group’s consolidated reporting. In her previous role as a regional financial controller for Intertek Australasia, she was responsible for Australia, NZ, PNG and Fiji operations of Intertek, and prior to that she was the Senior Manager in PwC Perth’s assurance practice and Chief Operating Officer in PwC Perth’s executive team.

Tatyana holds a Masters in International Business degree from the Graduate School of Management, Saint Petersburg State University and Norwegian School of Economics, and is a Fellow Member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants.

Deanna Faust has been passionately immersed in the world of dance since the age of seven, and remains an active participant in Perth’s Flamenco scene, as well as taking contemporary dance classes with Momentum Dance. Her professional career has seen her contribute significantly to various not-for-profit organisations, including CanTeen, Buzz Dance Theatre, and Performing Arts Connections Australia, where she excelled in business management roles.

Currently, Deanna serves as the Head of Operations for Black Swan State Theatre Company, driving efficiency and innovation within the organisation. Deanna’s rich background in operations and governance, coupled with her lifelong dedication to dance, positions her as a valuable asset to the Ausdance WA management committee, where she looks forward to further supporting the dance community.

Dr. Maria Gamble brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the Ausdance WA board. With a PhD in Dance Education, and as a tertiary scholar-practitioner specialising in dance, health, and physical education, Maria adeptly blends academic research with practical application. She has previously been a dedicated coordinator of a secondary school dance program and has significantly contributed to curriculum development for dance in Western Australia through her work with the Department of Education. Maria has studied dance throughout her life, specialising in contemporary dance. She holds a BA (Hons) in Contemporary Dance and grew up participating in competitive dance across various genres, including ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical and national dance. Her professional experience includes performing as part of a university dance company (UK), where she further honed her skills as both a performer and choreographer.

Amanda Leigh is a Perth-based Marketing, Ticketing & Customer Experience manager. Navigating complex issues with finesse, Amanda brings a track record of creative problem solving and adaptability to drive innovative solutions in dynamic work environments.  

Amanda’s skill set includes CRM system management, data analytics, customer insight, marketing, event management and leadership. She is also a registered AICD Classical dance teacher and has been teaching for over 14 years.  

Nina Levy has worked as an arts writer and editor since 2007. She is best known in WA as co-founder of Seesaw Magazine, where she was managing editor (2017-2023), and as a dance critic for The West Australian newspaper (2007-2018).

At a national level, she made her name as co-editor of Dance Australia magazine, alongside Karen van Ulzen (2016-2019).

Currently Nina is communications co-ordinator (AKA resident wordsmith) at Community Arts Network and a freelance arts writer and critic.

In her spare time, Nina enjoys singing in Hengequeens feminist pop choir, taking tumbling classes and making her own clothes.