Our Team

Helen Haines is the Director and founder of Dollars + Sense Consulting, a boutique bookkeeping company based in Cremorne. Helen is passionate about seeing small businesses succeed and takes a holistic approach to their business but getting to know why they do what they do, not just the what or how. Helen has a range of financial experience in compliance, small business advisory and operational administration. She helps businesses grow, thrive and achieve their goals every day.

In January 2018, her little girl, Francesca, arrived and outside of work family time is her favourite thing! Between her and her husband they are changing the stereotypical family roles and living the concept of work-life rhythm. She is passionate about the arts and being a part of the Ausdance community.

Alisdair Macindoe is an Australian dancer, sound designer, coder and choreographer. His experience in these fields has taken his work to many countries world-wide, earning critical acclaim in the media and receiving local and international awards including five Melbourne Greenroom awards, an Australian Helpmann, and a New York Bessie. Notable collaborations include his work as a dancer for Lucy Guerin, Chunky Move, Antony Hamilton, Stephanie Lake and DanceNorth, and his work as a sound designer for Chunky Move, Antony Hamilton, STOMPIN and DanceNorth. His choreographic work includes commissions for DanceNorth, Lucy Guerin Inc, Next Wave, Performance Space, and STOMPIN. Alisdair’s unique multidisciplinary interests extend into the digital realm, and in 2018 he presented a major commission/exhibition NONCOMPETE at the Substation exploring electronics, creative coding and physical computing. As a multidisciplinary artist, whose work spans performance and technology, the intersection of humans and technology in both dance and music is one of his recurring interests.

A CPA qualified senior tax manager, Kate Outridge is passionate about presenting complex financial and performance data in terms her stakeholders understand. 

Drawing on over 14 years’ industry experience, Kate is currently the Finance Manager for a not-for-profit health organisation. 

She also manages her own tax and accounting business, which focuses on supporting small to medium enterprises in all stages of the business cycle. 

Having held a Treasurer role on a board for a not-for-profit arts organisation, her experience includes providing financial information for the grant acquittals process with local Council, Creative Victoria, and the Australian Arts Council. 

With a keen focus on individual needs, Kate delivers a truly personalised service to her clients.

Rhys Holden is a passionate advocate for artists and the value of the arts. Most recently, he served as General Manager of Mona Foma and Music at Mona, overseeing strategic and financial management while commissioning work across theatre, dance, music, and visual arts. Previously, he was a producer for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child for Michael Cassel Group, General Manager of La Boite Theatre Company, and Company Manager at Sydney Theatre Company.

Gracieuse also known as KWABO (Welcome) Grace, is a powerhouse — Creative Director, Community Leader, Choreographer, French Entertainment Lawyer and Senior Privacy Advisor.

With French, Beninese, and Togolese roots, Gracieuse places community,
representation, and education at the centre of her artistry, reflecting a rich heritage and the influence of trailblazing women in her family. Using the arts to amplify BIPOC culture and voices through her social enterprise KWABO Events and KWABO Festival, Gracieuse advocates for social inclusion, gender and racial equity, and youth and women’s empowerment. Committed to positive change since 2006, she has been a community leader within events like the African Music and Cultural Festival, Melbourne
Fringe Festival, and recently co-choreographed Afrocentric as part of the NGV Triennial Extra 2024.

As the permanent choreographer of the Public Opinion Afro Orchestra, she is a revered choreographer in Melbourne, performing for international and local artists such as Ebo Taylor, Femi Kuti, Fally Ipupa, Ausecuma Beats, Ajak Kwai, Alariiya, Niasha etc.

Elle is a trained dancer, dance teacher and lawyer. As a dancer, Elle has represented Australia internationally at competitions and performances in New Zealand, Hong Kong and Singapore. She has also worked as a dance teacher for over ten years concurrently with her legal positions. 

Elle has worked as a lawyer in private practice and also as in-house counsel in both the health and entertainment sectors. She has particular expertise in drafting and negotiating contract documentation, and developing and implementing organisational policies and procedures. 

Currently Elle co-manages the Stonnington School of Dance and enjoys passing on her knowledge and experience to the next generation of dancers.

Sonia is a registered architect, a director at Andever, a tenacious thinker and problem solver. Her collaborative approach and strong communication skills bring a fresh perspective to any milieu.

Sonia is a first-generation immigrant whose cultural roots are in South Asia. She was born and raised in the Middle-East and subsequently lived in South-east Asia prior to migrating to Melbourne in 2006.

Alongside her business, Sonia is a Board Member (Treasurer & Vice-Chair) with ArchiTeam Co-operative, a sessional tutor at the Melbourne School of Design (UniMelb), a passionate advocate for diversity and a mentor to many young graduates. She is also a parent of two, partner, photographer, prolific reader & podcast tragic.

Carmen Pace has extensive experience in Leadership and Operations. She has worked with NFP, NGOs, Government and Corporations with commitment and a passion to add value. Carmen is an engaging leader with proven success in managing change and leading complex projects in areas of HR, Finance, Governance, Audit and Risk. Ms Pace has previously held a number of Board positions. Carmen has an interest in the Arts and Culture and is active member of a local community Pop Choir. She is based in Melbourne where she enjoys the city’s diverse culture, food, festivals, and coffee scene.