Marina has extensive experience in business and in the Arts both as an executive and as a non-executive director. Through her long association with Scoop Digital, Marina has many years’ experience in marketing services, both print and digital, and in digital content collation and distribution. She is an Honorary Research Fellow at The University of Western Australia, having lectured for many years in the School of Humanities. She also lectures part time in the School of Modern Languages at the University of England. Marina was Deputy Chair of the Foundation for the Western Australian Museum and Deputy Chair of the Rottnest Island Authority. She is a past member of the Federally appointment Australian Multicultural advisory council; a past member of the North Metro TAFE Governing Council and past Chair of Subiaco Primary School.
Russell Lester is an Executive Director of the Lester Group of companies, with 25 years’ experience in the Australian equity, investment and property industries he has built a broad range of investment and business management skills.
He holds a Bachelor of Economics from University of WA; a Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance and Investment from the Securities Institute of Australia; is a graduate member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors; a Fellow of the Financial Services Institute of Australasia and a Member of Real Estate Institute of WA. He is a Fellow of Council at Guildford Grammar School and the immediate past President of the Guildford Grammar School Foundation Inc.
Tom Hodgkins is currently a Partner in Deloitte Private (Family Enterprise Advisory) in the Perth office. Deloitte Private specializes in the provision of tax accounting/compliance, tax consulting and business advisory services to high net worth family groups, high net worth individuals and private companies.
Laurence (Larry) Iffla is a lawyer and company director practicing in the areas of commercial property law, state taxes, trusts and joint ventures, as well as estate planning. His legal work has included dealings with regional retail shopping centres, commercial office buildings, major hotels and land development, and related business and company acquisitions and disposals. He is a partner in the legal firm Iffla Wade and was previously a partner for 25 years with the international legal firm Mallesons Stephen Jaques (now King & Wood Mallesons). Mr Iffla is a member of the Law Society of Western Australia and a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Mr Iffla is chairman of Perron Group Limited. He is also on the boards of not-for-profit organisations Future Living Trust (past Chair) and the Council of Activ Foundation (current Chair) and is a past Chair and former director of the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research.
Julie Petley has over 20 years experience in the legal and commercial aspects of construction contract development, negotiation and management in the resources industry in both Australian and international locations, specialising in large value Contracts in the offshore project market.
Julie holds a Bachelor of Economics degree from Murdoch University.
Having travelled extensively Julie has a keen interest in the equity that art brings to society by its nature and particularly the role of portraiture through the work of The Lester Prize.
Kate is an accomplished cultural strategist and project manager. Her work draws on 10 years’ experience in the cultural sector, ranging from public art project management, cultural policy and strategy to business planning for arts organisations.
Following 5 years at not-for-profit arts organisation FORM, Kate joined Perth-based consultancy element in 2018, where she established the Arts and Culture team. Under Kate’s leadership, element is responsible for delivering some of our State’s most significant programs of public art, with over $15million in commissions currently in the pipeline, alongside strategies and advisory services for diverse clients across public and private sectors.
Known for her creative perspective and practical approach, Kate is passionate about promoting a contributing to a sustainable cultural sector. She views culture as an integral part of everyday life, and often works as at the intersection of the creative sector and private industry, shaping opportunities through partnerships and innovative projects.
Alongside Kate’s position at element, her most recent personal initiative is Temp – a contemporary gallery connecting new collectors with early career artists and affordable art via ‘temporary’ locations. As an advocate for the arts, Kate joined the board of The Lester Prize in August 2023, and is a member of the PICA Art1000 and AGWA Foundation.
Dick Lester was made Lifetime Patron of the Prize in 2018, in recognition of his passion for the Arts, his encouragement of Tina Wilson during her tenure as Executive Director, and his advice and financial assistance that, from modest beginnings, enables the Prize to flourish.
Tina Wilson is the Founder of ARTrinsic Inc’s Black Swan Prize for Portraiture. She was Executive Director for ten years, before stepping down to return to her own art practice.
Tina was made Patron in 2018 in recognition of her passionate and tireless work to ensure there was a Prize of ever-increasing excellence and prestige.
Ph 08 9423 5116
PO Box 1110
Nedlands WA 6909
