Kate Fielding has led ANA since its inception in 2018, drawing together a unique alliance of people across the country in governance, advisory and staffing roles to create a foundation on which ANA could grow and thrive. In this time, ANA has been credited with contributing to a distinct shift in the conversation and knowledge about arts and culture in Australia. Prior to her role with ANA, Kate was the Chair of the Goldfields-Esperance Development Commission in Kalgoorlie, and a member of the Board of the Australia Council for the Arts. She has been the Chair of Regional Arts Australia and of Country Arts WA, and was named a 40Under40 WA Business Leader in 2017.

Paul Mac Phail joined A New Approach as Chief Operating Officer in 2022. He has previously been providing leadership and direction to companies and projects big and small in Western Australia for almost forty years. Working primarily in the fields of Youth, Regional and First Nations arts and culture, Paul was instrumental in setting up both Southern Edge Arts (Albany) and Yirra Yaakin Aboriginal Corporation (Perth). As a practicing artist in his own right, he has written and directed theatre for young people including AMY’S MONSTER, THE MIDNIGHT GANG and STARLIGHT STARBRIGHT (for the Festival of Perth). Paul ran his own arts consultancy, Get Art Done for 3 years before returning in 2015 to Regional Arts WA where he had previously worked as General Manager. As CEO, he initiated and delivered a Ten-Year Vision, including an overhaul of the Governance structure, a major rebrand, a redesign of programming aligned with Peak Service delivery and the introduction of two major cultural infrastructure projects – a Regional Arts Network and statewide Outcomes Measurement Framework.

Dr Angie Vivian joins the ANA with 5 years experience working in Commonwealth government departments, including on local and global gender equality initiatives. Formerly a researcher and project officer in universities and non-profit organisations, Angie holds a PhD in criminology and expertise in qualitative research methods. Angie champions ethical and innovative research approaches to addressing complex policy problems. Angie is a voluntary guide at the National Gallery of Australia, training to deliver collection-based tours for adult and primary school audiences.

Sandra O'Malley joined ANA in August 2022. She is passionate about diversity, access and inclusion, and loves telling and sharing the stories of all Australians through targeted, strategic communications. Sandra is proud to have helped develop an inaugural Disability Access Inclusion Plan in her previous role as Communications Manager at the National Gallery of Australia. Her move to the arts and culture sector was inspired by a three-year posting to India, while working for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Her cultural diplomacy included expanded engagement in publishing, visual arts, music, sport and fashion. Sandra began her career as a journalist and spent a decade covering federal politics with Australian Associated Press (AAP).

Aakanksha joined ANA in 2021 as Manager of Operations for ANA. Entrepreneurially spirited, Aakanksha has educational qualifications and experience across various creative industries like contemporary fashion, performing arts and arts education. Working and studying across multiple regions in South and East Asia, Middle East, Europe, and now a foothold in Australia, Aakanksha holds a uniquely global cultural perspective that has cultivated their interest in independent artistry, arts advocacy, entrepreneurship, design thinking, and authentic diversity. She has recently completed a Masters of Arts and Cultural Management from the University of Melbourne and brings with her the experience of a freelance practice as a designer, writer, and artist manager.

Sari Rossi joins ANA as an experienced Research Assistant passionate about arts and cultural policy. As a mixed methods researcher Sari has competencies in quantitative, qualitative, and practice-led approaches. Prior to her research career, Sari worked professionally as an artist and arts worker in Australia and Finland specialising in contemporary arts and performance. With educational qualifications in the arts including a Master of Arts from the Theatre Academy (University of Arts, Helsinki), and a Bachelor of Business (accountancy), Sari is currently completing a PhD at QUT’s Faculty of Business and Law examining fiscal arts support in Australia.