Meet the Board

  • Born and raised in Brisbane, Luisa prides herself on being an eclectic mix of performer, entrepreneur and passionate advocate for the arts. Prior to her musical studies at the University of Queensland, she successfully completed a Bachelor of Psychological Science.

    Whilst at UQ Luisa toured to Cairns and Tenterfield, founded the UQ Opera Society and performed a wide range of roles. A finalist in the Ethel Osborne and Margaret Nickson Prize, Luisa quickly found herself performing with local groups such as the Seven Sopranos and Brisbane Baroque whilst still completing her studies. Keenly interested in innovative and new avenues of opera, Luisa premiered the virtual reality opera, Artemis (composed by Taana Rose) in the title role which was featured in the 2022 Qld XR Festival.

    A co-founder of Springboard Opera, Luisa wanted to create an arts organisation that championed emerging artists and provided them with the opportunities they needed to grow their careers right here in Brisbane. She aims to create an inclusive, accepting environment in which every artist is able to share and nurture their unique artistic voice.

  • Don is a Chartered Accountant by training and has had a strong interest in the arts for most of his life, attending theatre and musical theatre since he was a boy. Don’s professional interests centre around building innovative and sustainable futures in organisations generally and in the arts specifically. The world in 2023 is significantly different to ever before and requires new and innovative solutions to suit the expectations of new audiences and a wide range of stakeholders.

    The role of Board Chair of Springboard Opera is an opportunity to build a contemporary Opera organisation which takes advantage of 21st century innovation and thinking and technology capabilities that have not existed before to support emerging Queensland Opera artists and reinvent that opera idea.

  • From performing to training, from broadcasting to producing, even to sewing sequins on costumes, Springboard Opera director Leslie Martin has been living and breathing professional opera performance for over 25 years.

    Starting at Opera Australia, her own performance career took her overseas before she returned to Brisbane where she continues to work for Opera Queensland. She is a well known voice in Brisbane through her performances with Brisbane orchestras, the 4MBS Festival of Classics and her broadcasts on 4MBS Thursday Night Opera.

    Knowing how her own career was supported in the early stage, Leslie wants to create similar opportunities for the emerging artists of South East Queensland.

    Leslie has been a Member of the Queensland Arts Advisory Committee 2013 to then Senator George Brandis and a Company Director (2015-2017) of Australian National Association of Teachers of Singing (ANATS). She is currently a board member of 4MBS.

    As a member of our board, Leslie brings her industry knowledge and experience, her strategic thinking and her networks to Springboard Opera.

  • Situated in Brisbane, Gheorja is an empathetic and purpose-driven professional, forging partnerships with business owners and impact organisations to guide them towards the realisation of their aspirations.

    With a background in public practice as a Chartered Accountant, Gheorja has been collaborating with business owners across Australia, New Zealand, the UK, and Europe for the past six years.

    Before embarking on her journey in public practice, Gheorja successfully completed her studies at UQ, achieving a Bachelor of Commerce and Arts majoring in Accounting and French, along with minors in Chinese and Economics.

    With expertise in strategic financial management, strategic planning, strategic execution, and social enterprise governance, Gheorja collaborates closely with organisations to ensure the effective implementation of their strategic plans through robust governance and financial oversight. Her fervour for creating sustainable impact drives her to harmonise her business acumen with purpose, thus fostering comprehensive success.

    Beyond her professional commitments to businesses and organisations, Gheorja enjoys practicing her French language skills, planning future international holidays, and cherishing quality time with her family.