The Work Room Board
As a registered charity, The Work Room’s board is the charity trustees with responsibility for governing the organisation. They are responsible for the legal, financial and organisational overview of The Work Room, and the strategy that underpins the membership led structure. The board includes artists who are members of The Work Room along with people who bring their skills and experience from other areas to support our work.
Dr Ndali Liita Cairney (she/her)
Member of the board since January 2025 (co-chair)
Ndali is an academic entrepreneur employed as a University Entrepreneurship Trainer for the School of Informatics at the University of Edinburgh with a Ph.D. in International Health Policy. She has a deep appreciation for the human body to express thoughts, feelings and ideas in a universally accessible way. Ndali joined the board to support our work through harnessing her business development and fundraising skills.
Dr Kirsty Alexander (She/Her)
Member of the board since January 2025 (co-chair)
Kirsty is a freelance dancer, teacher, and consultant specialising in dance training and in the ongoing development of professional dancers. She has been a member of The Work Room since 2021. Kirsty was inspired to join the board by the range of connectivity and support TWR provides for independent artists and by the ethics and generosity that permeates everything the team do.
Dorine Mugisha (she/her)
Member of the board since January 2025
Dorine is an artist, dancer, retreat leader and programmes manager, with an eclectic experience; from working for charity organisations to being a freelance artist. Dorine is passionate about helping people build their confidence in healthy environments and joined the board as she feels TWR is one of the organisations doing this best.
Joy Parkinson (She/Her)
Member of the board since 2020
Joy is a PR and Communications Consultant who specialises in the promotion of arts and culture, having worked with local, national and international artists, festivals and venues. She joined the board to share her working practice and because she is inspired by the ways in which The Work Room advocate, empower and support the dance community in Scotland. She identifies as queer, and is from a working-class background.
Helen McIntosh (She/Her)
Member of the Board since 2020
Helen is a producer specialising in dance, movement, and choreographic practice who works with independent artists, organisations and festivals. She joined the board to provide passionate support for the continuation and future development of an organisation that invests in and empowers artists.
Sam Vaherlehto (He/Him)
Member of the Board since 2021
Sam graduated from the Ballet School of the Finnish National Opera in 2007 then worked for Finnish National Ballet before joining Phoenix Dance Theatre in 2013. From 2018 he was a dancer and rehearsal director with SLATE contemporary dance company, Shanghai China. Sam joined The Work Room in 2020 and became trustee 2021. As trustee he is interested in how TWR operates and is looking forward to bringing and share his knowledge for the organisation and members.
Jesse Paul (she/her)
Member of the Board since 2021
Jesse is the Fair Access Manager at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. She has worked as a Teaching Artist for over 30 years across the UK in a wide range of educational and community settings. Fair Access has always been the core of her work. She is delighted to support The Work Room and can’t wait to get involved.
Kathryn Spence (She/Her)
Member of the Board since 2021
Kathryn is a freelance dance artist as well as being Creative Project Manager for Shetland Arts. She has made and toured dance works and directed dance festivals such as Dance Live. Her motivation for being on The Work Room board is to represent artists living in rural locations as well as those with parenting or care responsibilities.
