QLD Symphony Orchestra CEO named in 100 Women of Influence
PRESS RELEASE:
World-leading orchestra executive, Sophie Galaise has been announced as a winner in The Australian Financial Review and Westpac 100 Women of Influence Awards for 2015. She has been recognised in the Culture category.
As Chief Executive Officer of the Queensland Symphony Orchestra since 2013, Ms Galaise has given the company powerful international benchmarking insight, placing the orchestra firmly on par with other leading arts organisations worldwide. Under her stewardship the QSO has celebrated significant revenue records, has grown its reach to more than 1.1 million people and has staged milestone artistic coups with some of the world’s leading conductors and soloists as well as performed non-traditional blockbuster events which have broken attendance records.
QSO was the first orchestra in Australia to appoint a Soloist-in-Residence position. Adelaide and Sydney Symphony Orchestras have since followed suit. QSO will also announce a Music Director to be their artistic leader in the near future.
Her influence on the world stage has attracted great artists eager to work with QSO and the orchestra has recently received offers to tour internationally as well as present exciting collaborations with BBC World, the London Philharmonic and New York Philharmonic and leading orchestras in Asia.
Ms Galaise has a reputation as a pioneering arts manager throughout Europe and North America. Before joining QSO, she spent five years at the Orchestra Symphonique de Québec driving a turnaround in financial and market performance and taking it to one of the top five orchestras in Canada.
QSO Chairman Greg Wanchap said the achievement was nothing short of extraordinary. “Sophie has been at the helm of this company for only two years and already is named in this illustrious group of influential women in Australia. It serves as a marker for what is yet to come under her leadership and vision.”
In its fourth year, the Australian 100 Women of Influence Awards celebrate outstanding women from a wide variety of sectors across Australia including Board/Management, Public Policy, Diversity, Business Enterprise, Young Leader, Global, Local/Regional, Innovation, Culture and Social Enterprise. More than 500 entrants into the awards were assessed by a panel of esteemed judges and have been recognised based on their outstanding ability to demonstrate vision, leadership, innovation and action in and beyond their fields.
Ainslie van Onselen, Director of Women’s Markets, Diversity and Inclusion at Westpac, said: “The breadth and calibre of our 100 Women of Influence for 2015 is truly incredible. It is a privilege to recognise and celebrate the remarkable contribution these women are making to our society.
“Women have countless opportunities to be a driving force for change in Australia and shape our nation’s future through their respective fields. Sophie Galaise is a shining example for how women can be truly influential in their career and have a profound impact on long term outcomes. She joins an illustrious group of Australian women as part of the Women of Influence alumni, which continues to grow each year with diverse and exceptional talent.”
Joanne Gray, Australian Financial Review Boss Editor, said: “The array of influential women who have been recognised this year display many great capabilities and skills, but chief among them are energy and drive and a commitment to something bigger than themselves. TheWomen of Influenceawards impress upon us yet again how vast is the pool of female talent in this country. The awards continue to bring to light extraordinary women, who despite their achievements and because of their humility, might otherwise have remained in the shadows.”
Australian women were nominated for the 2015 Awards in recognition of their outstanding work in their respective fields and ability to inspire those around them. The 2015 winners join an alumnus of 400 of Australia’s most inspiring women.
A gala awards evening celebrating these inspirational women and the resounding impact they have had within their chosen field will be held at Sydney Town Hall on Thursday, 15 October 2015.The 10 category winners and overall winner for the year will also be announced on the evening.
For further information please visit: www.100womenofinfluence.com.au.