Lise Smith joined The Place as Head of Governance in May 2023. Prior to this role, Lise worked as a Producer and manager in the cultural sector for over 20 years, specialising in project management, strategic planning, organisational development, tour management and arts and community fundraising. Previous roles include Operations Manager at Russell Maliphant Dance Company, and Company Manager at Shobana Jeyasingh Dance, as well as work with Akademi South Asian Dance, Kate Flatt Projects and Kamala Devam Company.

Lise trained at Trinity Laban and is also a graduate of Cambridge University (BA 1999, PhD 2004). She was previously a co-director of dance theatre company Bricolage Dance, and is currently a trustee of Dance Mama CIC.