The Team
Glass Ceiling Arts Collective relies on the generous support of a variety of wonderful stakeholders; including parents, care-givers, support workers, performers, friends and funders. Key personnel include:
Brylee Mills
Board Chair
Born in Auckland, Brylee started dancing at a very young age. In 2015, she moved to Australia to study classical and contemporary dance at Brent Street; Australia’s leading performing arts training centre. Upon her return to New Zealand, Brylee performed as a professional dancer with contemporary dance company Trip The Light and Touch Compass Dance Company.
In 2016 Brylee took up motivational speaking and, since then, has traveled throughout New Zealand sharing her story, inspiring young people living with disabilities and motivating them to achieve their goals.
Jo Sutton
Board Member
Jo has always worked with kids & families; as a youth leader, counsellor, coach and in recent years with Scouts NZ. She is mum to three children, one of whom is Autistic. Jo currently works as a National Educator for Autism NZ.
Matthew Hanley
Board Member
Matthew works at EY as Oceania New Zealand Tax Leader and New Zealand Global Compliance and Reporting Leader.
Matthew is the proud father to two young girls, including Iris who attends our North Shore class.
Charlotte Nightingale
Co-founder, Board Member & Artistic Director
Charlotte is the co-founder and inaugural Artistic Director of Glass Ceiling Arts Collective. She has worked as an Actor in both the UK and in Aotearoa New Zealand. Charlotte has a BA Hons in Performing Arts majoring in Acting, and a Post Graduate Certificate in Education. Her knowledge of inclusive Arts practises ensures that her work delivers to a diverse audience enabling Art that truly is for all people. Charlotte is often asked to appear in the media to discuss inclusive Arts practise. Charlotte identifies as a woman with a chromosome disorder.
Alastair Riach
Board Member
Al’s government career culminated in senior management roles at the Department of Corrections/Ara Poutama Aotearoa. His expertise spans operations, governance, human resources and risk management, but it's his deep empathy and understanding of the human condition that make him most suited for a seat at the Glass Ceiling boardroom table. Al is a passionate conservation advocate and he works as a Relief Ranger for the Rotoroa Island Trust.
Victoria Mataitonga
Board Member
A very proud mum of two boys, Victoria was inspired to join the Glass Ceiling board by her nephew Tommy Squibbs - a shining light who had Down syndrome and brought a smile to the face of everyone he met. Victoria strives to use her skills and knowledge to be of useful service to people who are vulnerable and to advocate for those who face barriers in life. Victoria joins the board with 24 years’ senior-level commercial, procurement, supply chain and operations experience in both the public and private sectors. Victoria also co-founded her own charity, The Akanesi Mataitonga Trust, which supports the education, health and disability sectors in the Pacific Islands primarily through the gifting of donations and scholarships (www.mataitonga.com).
Jade Bull
Board Member
With a background in performance, stage management, and production in theaters across the UK and NZ, Jade now serves as a Performing Arts Producer at Auckland Live. Committed to advocating for equality and access in the Performing Arts, her passion is fueled by both her professional experience and lived experience with a long-term disability.
Michael Eaglesome
Co-founder & General Manager
Michael is the co-founder and General Manager of Glass Ceiling Arts Collective. He had a long career working in the IT industry, in development and project management roles, in both large corporate businesses and technology start-ups before a move to the not-for-profit Arts sector in 2017. Michael has many years of lived experience as the parent of a child with a physical disability.