Our People

We
are
a
team
of
storytellers,
makers,
designers,
educators,
strategists and
visionaries.
Together,
we
unite
diverse
talents
with
purpose,
bringing
ideas
to
life
as
one.

CEO & Board of Directors

Tim Shanahan
Chair

Tim Shanahan is a respected Western Australian leader involved in a broad range of industries. He has previously led organisations in Minerals and Energy, Higher Education and Local Government. Currently Tim is Chair of the Cooperative Research Centre for Future Battery Industries (FBI CRC), Kwinana Energy Transformation Hub and Zetta (ICT) Group. He is a Director of RACWA Holdings which runs financial services, tourism assets, and roadside services. He Chairs the RAC Investment Committee and is an Honorary Life Member of the RACWA, and is a past President. Tim is also a member of the External Advisory Board of School of Medicine, Fremantle at The University of Notre Dame.

Tim is a qualified lawyer, an experienced company director (FAICD) and was honoured with a Public Service Medal in 2001 and a Centenary Medal in 2003.

“FORM has a wonderful track record of success and creativity. It has a deep capacity to connect with communities, to draw out and re-present powerful insights about how we feel about ourselves and how we live together.”

Kathy Reid
Deputy Chair

Kathy Reid is an experienced, energetic and hardworking professional who is passionate about strategy, governance and risk management. Kathy has been a Non-Executive Director since 2012. She brings to the board table the skills of composure and clear thinking when faced with complex challenges. Kathy has experience as a board member in transformational change, corporate transactions and culture development. She is currently a Partner at MinterEllison and a member of its national board, which oversees a legal and consulting business with 2,500 staff nationally. She is a qualified lawyer and represents corporate clients in workplace and safety law matters.

Kathy leads MinterEllison’s Workplace team in Perth, which is recognised by clients and peers as one of Perth’s pre-eminent practices in this field. Through the diversity of organisations she has acted for and been associated with, she has gained experience in a wide range of industries, including energy and resources, construction, health and aged care, government at all levels, universities and schools, Indigenous corporations, sport and recreation.

Ron Bradfield Junior
Director

Ron Bradfield Jnr is a saltwater man from Bardi Country, north of Broome but grew up in Geraldton, Western Australia. He now calls Whadjuk Boodjar (Perth) his home. As a respected cultural worker, Ron has spoken and shared stories, locally, nationally and internationally and can be found relatively easily, wandering WA in his colourful shirts and red ‘blunnies.’ He is currently the Community Engagement Coordinator at John Curtin Gallery. Previously, as the CYO (Chief Yarning Officer) of “Yarns R Us”; Ron facilitated cultural conversations across all levels of our communities, helping Australians to revisit and explore their own personal stories, so as to better consider their own connections to this place, their home. He has worked in the arts & culture, youth and education sectors for over 25 years.

Nicolette Casella
Director

Nicolette Casella is a passionate communicator with a deep knowledge of WA business, politics and arts communities, and extensive local and national contacts.  With 25 years’ experience in journalism, Nicolette is an expert storyteller and a keen generator of creative ideas, driven by engagement with confidence and flair. An Asialink Leaders Fellow with a BA degree, double majoring in journalism and international relations, Nicolette joined UNICEF last year as Philanthropy Manager – the United Nations Children’s Fund’s first representative in WA.

Prior to that she was Editor of the Sunday Times Magazine from 2016 to 2021; Deputy News Editor of The West Australian from 2011 to 2016; and Deputy Managing Editor of The Daily Telegraph, The Sunday Telegraph and mX from 2009 to 2010.

“I have long admired FORM and its dedication to nurturing and elevating creativity in Western Australia. It is a joy and a privilege to champion our immensely talented artistic community, including our extraordinary First Nations’ artists. The breadth and consistently high quality of their work, and FORM’s outstanding projects and programming, never ceases to fill me with pride.”

Stedman Ellis
Director

Stedman has 40 years’ experience across commercial, government, industry association, research and creative industries – in Australia and internationally. He has skills in areas such as advocacy, policy development and research partnerships, and an interest in how the creative economy, environmental sustainability, and technological innovation can contribute to our prosperity. A relevant career highlight was as Vice President External Affairs for BHP Iron Ore at a time when FORM began its engagement in the Pilbara. Stedman has served on a number of boards and industry liaison groups and has a significant network across government and industry sectors. As CEO, he led the successful bid and establishment of Australia’s Future Battery Industries Cooperative Research Centre and the development of its research program and partnerships. He is an independent advisor to several government organisations.

"I’m inspired by an organisation with ambitions out of all proportion to its resources and capabilities – but which consistently delivers outstanding projects for diverse communities across WA. It is a pleasure to be involved."

Narelle Grinceri
Director

An experienced finance professional with 20+ years of corporate, property, leverage, and project finance experience; Narelle Grinceri focuses on leading deal teams and collaborating with product partners in originating, structuring, negotiating, and delivering a broad array of complex and high value transactions. She has been a consultant to Hesperia, and previously worked at ANZ in the Institutional Property Group; Lloyds Bank; and spent nearly nine years with BOS International.

Paul Kotsoglo
Director

Paul Kotsoglo is a Town Planner with close to 4 decades of experience. He has held in Principal and City Planner roles in regional and metropolitan authorities in Western Australia. He is Founder and Managing Director of Planning Solutions. Paul has both Undergraduate and Post Graduate qualifications in Planning. He is a Fellow of the Planning Institute of Australia and has been the President of its Western Australian Division. Paul is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. He has also been the presiding member of numerous Development Assessment Panels since their inception in Western Australia, including the City of Perth Local Development Assessment Panel.

I’ve admired the creativity and inclusivity of FORM. Particularly, how the organisation has applied itself from the State’s capital to its most remote locations. FORM has provided world class events and experiences for the whole community without pretense. FORM has introduced art and creativity to places it would never have reached without the motivated team which stands behind it. Many eyes are opened by the opportunities provided by FORM.”

Peter Lee OAM
Director

Peter Lee is a West Australia architect who has extensive experience with large scale developments both in Australia and internationally.

As a Principal of Hassell, Peter has been involved in the design of major developments. In Perth some of these include, The Westin, Optus Stadium, New Stadium Events Railway Station, one40william (Gordon Stephenson House), Brookfield Place, ABC Headquarters, People’s Republic of China Consulate, Parliament House Northern Extensions, Casino Expansion and Perth Metro Rail. Peter is currently working on a number of projects which will further transform the city – these include Langley Park Masterplan, Burswood Peninsula Masterplan, along with Chevron Tower and Lots 5 & 6 at Elizabeth Quay.

Peter is also on the boards of the Rottnest Island Authority, Foundation Housing and Open House Perth.  He is an Adjunct Professor at Curtin University and is on the WA State Design Review Panel as well as the Development Assessment Panel.

“The wonderfully innovative team at FORM continually stuns me with their brilliant and inspiring creative works that change our understanding of and experiences of the stories that are all around us.  To be involved in those processes is truly a gift.”

Tabitha McMullan
CEO

Tabitha McMullan is a passionate visionary for arts and culture. Prior to joining FORM she held leadership roles in Activation & Cultural Experience; Community Development; and Arts, Culture & Heritage at the City of Perth. With over seventeen years’ experience in the international creative sector, across not-for-profit, university and local government organisations, she strongly believes in Western Australia’s place as a cultural leader on the world stage. She is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and has previously served as Chair of the CCCLM Culture and the Arts Policy Advisory Group and Principal Partnership Advisor for both the Perth Public Art Foundation Board and Heritage Perth Inc Board. For Tabitha, collaboration is critical to realising the state’s potential and driving ambitious cultural development programs.

"FORM embodies the deep love and passion I have for building creativity in Western Australia. The organisation drives a strong vision for our state to share its creative potential and cultural identity with the world. It is an honour to have the opportunity to work with FORM’s partners, board and staff to build meaningful connection and cultural experiences with communities across the state."

Jenn Morris
Director

Jenn is an accomplished corporate executive and non-executive director, who is a strong communicator and has extensive experience in team effectiveness and leadership programs. She has experience in strategy development, large-scale business transformation, human capital related work, human rights, the embedding of ESG related policies and the understanding of high-performance environments learned during her elite sporting career.

Jenn was a member of the Australian women’s hockey team where she won gold medals at the 1996 Atlanta and 2000 Sydney Olympic Games where she developed a keen understanding of what makes for effective leadership, exceptional performance and high-performing teams and has applied this from the board/executive level throughout an organisation.

“Creativity, Excellence, Integrity, Community Empowerment and Collaboration…. what an important and powerful set of attributes and ones that we need more than ever before to help shape, lift and guide our people, our communities and our world. These are the values of FORM and ones that I personally hold tightly and work by. FORM contributes so richly to our environment, our thoughts, our visual senses and brings to life so many stories of our past, our present and how we navigate the future. I am delighted to join the brilliant team at FORM and one with such a strong purpose.”

Tom Rayner
Director

Tom Rayner is a Deloitte Partner in the Strategy, Risk and Transactions team with 15 years experience designing and implementing systems of good governance. He has been a Director on boards since 2015, supporting leading think tanks and Education not-for-profits. Tom's experience spans supporting global mergers, scaling new sustainability businesses to running a series of corporate governance workshops for sporting not-for-profits.

Tom grew up leading orchestras, bands and producing events, tours and theatrical productions. He is turning his focus back to supporting the arts through founding Perth’s annual ‘Rock, Paper, Scissors’ charity event, and influencing graduate recruitment at Deloitte to include more arts graduates.

"My passion for music and the arts stems from childhood. My late father spent most of his life in service of others through music and as a Director of the Samaritans in the UK. He was a passionate singer, cellist and organist, leading youth and adult arts organisations. I would like to make a difference by giving the younger generation the same opportunities that I did. We need young people and corporate Australia to value education and participation in the arts. We also need to provide opportunity for everyone to experience the arts, and FORM is a fantastic organisation that does this through its many programs."

Aboriginal & Islander Advisory Committee

Ron Bradfield Junior
Chair

Ron Bradfield Jnr is a saltwater man from Bardi Country, north of Broome but grew up in Geraldton, Western Australia. He now calls Whadjuk Boodjar (Perth) his home. As a respected cultural worker, Ron has spoken and shared stories, locally, nationally and internationally and can be found relatively easily, wandering WA in his colourful shirts and red ‘blunnies.’ He is currently the Community Engagement Coordinator at John Curtin Gallery. Previously, as the CYO (Chief Yarning Officer) of “Yarns R Us”; Ron facilitated cultural conversations across all levels of our communities, helping Australians to revisit and explore their own personal stories, so as to better consider their own connections to this place, their home. He has worked in the arts & culture, youth and education sectors for over 25 years.

Gladys Kuru Bidu
Committee Member

Gladys Kuru Bidu is a Karimarra women, born near Wantili (Canning Stock Route Well 25). Gladys and her family were picked up in Yulpu when she was a baby and taken first to Parnngurr, then to Jigalong, where she attended the mission school. From there she travelled with her family, first to Strelley Station, and then to Camp 61, an outstation on Bilanooka Station.

“We stayed there with the old people, so many old people, they set up a Martu school there. Then we heard Martu were going back to their homeland, their Ngurra, so then we came to Punmu with those old people.”

Settling in Punmu during the Return to Country movement of the early 1980’s, Gladys assisted with the establishment of the Punmu School in the Community’s bough shelter. Today’s Gladys is an accomplished teacher and respected cultural advisor and board member for the Kanyirninpa Jukurrpa Martu Ranger program, Punmu School, Martumili Artists and Spinifex Hill Studio.

Photograph by Claire Martin, 2022.

Lorraine Coppin
Committee Member

Lorraine Coppin is a Yindjibarndi artist, filmmaker, archivist, and recorder of cultural history and knowledge. Lorraine and her partner Michael founded Juluwarlu Group Aboriginal Corporation and its archive, language and cultural centre in 2000. Since then, Lorraine has established and coordinated Juluwarlu projects which include cultural mapping on Country, and the nationally recognised Yindjibarndi archive. In 2017, together with senior Yindjibarndi artists and language workers, Lorraine conceived and developed the Nyinart Yinda project, was the Executive Producer and cultural and project lead of the major performance work Ngurra Nyujunggamu, When the World Was Soft, and established Juluwarlu Art Group. Lorraine paints on canvas, creates Yarranga Marni carvings and has exhibited at the Art Gallery of Western Australia.

Photograph by Claire Martin, 2022.

Brett Nannup
Committee Member

Brett Nannup is a printmaker who was introduced to, taught, and trained in the art form by his mother, respected Noongar artist Laurel Nannup. Brett’s main focus is to investigate and interrogate ideas of what it means to be a man in today’s society, as well as exploring his identity and place in the duality of the Noongar and Western worlds. He also makes Noongar artefacts. In addition to his art practice, Brett consults for various cultural organisations including the State Library of Western Australia.

Anne Riley
Committee Member

Anne Riley is a Ballardong Noongar woman from Quairading, who with her husband Grant runs Wuddi Aboriginal Cultural Tours in the Wheatbelt town of Dumbleyung. Anne manages the Wuddi Cultural Centre and gift store, which celebrates the area’s ancient Aboriginal history, keeping it alive by sharing local cultural traditions, bushfoods, stories, artworks and artefacts.

Grant Riley
Committee Member

Grant Riley is a Wilman Noongar man, who with his wife Anne runs Wuddi Aboriginal Cultural Tours in the Wheatbelt town of Dumbleyung. The third youngest of 14 children for Henry and Ruby Riley, Grant was born and grew up in Dumbleyung. He is passionate about sharing his culture with visitors. Grant would follow his father out bush where he learned lots of knowledge about the people of the area, their food, their tools and their way of life.

Allery Sandy
Committee Member

Allery Sandy is an accomplished Yindjibarndi Elder, artist, educator, performer and community leader, and Director of Yinjaa-Barni Art. Her distinctive aerial perspectives typically celebrate the wildflowers, creeks, rivers, and bush foods of her Country. Allery was a finalist in 29th Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Awards, she exhibits at public and private galleries across the State and nationally and is a multiple award winner at regional art awards. Allery’s works have been collected by Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, The Art Gallery of Western Australia, Flinders University Art Museum, Parliament House of Western Australia Collection, Australian Embassy in Yangon, and Restore Hope Foundation. Alongside her visual arts practice, Allery is an accomplished singer and founding collaborator of Songs for Freedom produced by Big HART. She has performed with the ensemble across Australia for events including the Perth Festival and Mona Foma.

Photograph by Claire Martin, 2022.

Lenard Thorne
Committee Member

Lenard Thorne is a Nyoongar man from the Wilmen and Balladong Tribal Groups, born in Katanning in the heart of the Great Southern Districts of Western Australia. Lenard started painting from an early age and has a passion for art which stems from watching his parents draw and paint. Lenard’s works are in public and private collections.

Our Team

Tabitha McMullan
CEO
Stephanie Xiao
General Manager Finance & Operations
John Clark
Cultural Tourism Manager
Jerome Lee
Creative Development Manager
Laura Motherway
Strategic Creative Learning Manager
Joey Wong
Arts & Cultural Consultancy Manager
Ruby Djikarra Alderton
Studio Technical Coordinator (Spinifex Hill)
Julia Apanasevica
Senior Art & Cultural Consultant
Phil Berrick
Senior Designer
Jenna Beugelaar
Gallery Coordinator (Spinifex Hill Studio)
Vanessa Bradley
Program Lead Creative Schools
Jon Cope
Senior Arts & Cultural Consultant
Michael Deller
Senior Cultural Tourism Specialist
Patrick Donovan
Senior Cultural Tourism Advisor
Eldride Edwards
Team Leader, Spinifex Hill Studio
Sarah Ferguson
Senior Human Resources Advisor
Seven Gao
Lead Accountant
Rekeshia Goodwin
Studio Operations Coordinator, Spinifex Hill Studio
Melisa Hillman
Executive Assistant
Lauren Henderson
Office Manager
Dr Erika Jacobson
Creative Learning Training Specialist
Phoebe Jones
Aboriginal & Islander Partnerships Manager
Karla Martinez
Events and Programming Specialist
Ludvig Nilsson
Creative Designer
Claudia Ottobrino
Manager Partnerships
Eva Quilty
Communications & Media Specialist
Alyssa Reid
Senior Public Art Specialist
Lili Renfrey
Project Officer
Emily Smith
Creative Learning & Community Lead
Mags Webster
Senior Writer & Researcher
Ashleigh Whyte
Senior Arts & Cultural Consultant
Karen Zhang
Accounts Coordinator