Sophie Galaise
Managing Director
International arts executive and experienced non-executive director with over 20 years’ leadership across major cultural institutions in Australia, Canada, and Europe. I have served as CEO of leading orchestras including the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and Queensland Symphony Orchestra, where I led organisational transformation, grew revenues significantly, and delivered sustained operating surpluses while strengthening artistic outcomes and community engagement.
I currently serve as a Board Member of the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) and I Musici de Montréal, where I also chair the Governance and Ethics Committee. In addition, I am Managing Director and Company Secretary of the Di Jameson Family Foundation (DJFF), supporting its establishment, governance framework, and strategic direction, with a focus on enabling pathways for Australian emerging artists.
My governance approach is grounded in clarity of purpose, rigorous oversight, and a collaborative board culture, with particular attention to risk management, financial sustainability, and leadership succession. Organisations appoint me to their boards for my ability to bridge strategy and execution. I bring a proven track record in philanthropy and stakeholder engagement, having raised significant private and public funding and built enduring partnerships across government, corporate, and philanthropic sectors.
I am also recognised for my commitment to supporting artists and developing talent pipelines, with a strong focus on access, diversity, and pathways for emerging artists. My perspective is both global and locally grounded. Through my work as an executive advisor with the Advisory Board for the Arts and as Honorary Consul of Canada, I contribute international insight, diplomatic acumen, and a deep understanding of cross-sector collaboration.
A Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD), I bring to boards a combination of strategic vision, financial literacy, cultural leadership, and a values-driven approach, focused on long-term impact and organisational resilience.
