Australian Innovative Systems' Chief Executive dances to help stop domestic violence

Elena Gosse, Chief Executive of leading international water disinfection company, Australian Innovative Systems (AIS Water), is returning to Brisbane’s City Hall dance floor in May to support Women’s Legal Service Queensland (WLSQ) as part of Dancing CEOs.

Funds raised from the event will help WLSQ to continue to provide free legal and social work assistance to women experiencing domestic violence, complex family law and sexual assault matters in Queensland.

Making the most of her skills as a former entertainer in Russia, Elena will be dancing her way toward an ambitious fundraising tally of $50,000 after having previously winning the Community Awareness Champion Award and raising over $23,000 as a Dancing CEO in 2016.

As well as her love of dancing, Gosse (pictured) has another, more personal reason to be involved, advising “many people know me as the successful CEO of one of Australia’s most innovative companies but what most don’t know is that I am also a survivor of domestic and family violence.

“Having personally experienced the impacts of domestic and family violence at the hands of my late father as a child, I feel a great responsibility to help women and children in similar situations.

“The sad reality is that domestic and family violence does not discriminate.  It can affect anyone, at any time, and across all social demographics. In fact, it could be happening right now to someone you know or love.

“Women’s Legal Service Queensland assists over 16,000 women each year. Despite their best efforts the scourge of domestic violence continues with one in five women in Australia facing domestic or family violence in their lifetime.

“As a community we need to talk openly about domestic violence and make a united stand against it.  We must let women know they are not alone and encourage the perpetrators of domestic violence to seek the help they need.

“There is no excuse for violence. As a society we must encourage men particularly to connect with their feelings more and seek the help of a trusted family member, friend or counsellor. Vulnerability can be a sign of immense strength.”

Elena is calling on the business community to assist her with achieving her fundraising goals either via a donation, attending one of her many fundraising events, or by purchasing tickets in an incredible array of raffle prizes.

Raffle prizes include a Diamond Ring from Starfire Diamond Jewellery valued at $5,800; Lunch at Parliament House with Shannon Fentiman, Federal Minister for Employment and Small Business and Minister for Training and Skills Development; a pair of diamond stud earrings from Xennox Diamonds valued at $5,000; a month’s worth of free business coaching with beinc valued at $3,500; a $500 automotive voucher from Motor Hospital; and a $500 jewellery voucher from Love Lockets.

“I would love the Australian business community to help me to achieve my fundraising goal. To put it bluntly, all funds raised will help to save women’s lives.”

Click here to donate, or purchase tickets to a fundraising event or raffle. 

Click here to contact AIS Water via their entry in the Australasian Leisure Management Supplier Directory.

Editor's note: To avoid confusion with the Australian Institute of Sport - also known by the AIS acronym, Australasian Leisure Management refers to Australian Innovative Systems as AIS Water.