10 Queensland corporate leaders will swap the boardroom for the ballroom in a bid to raise a record $400,000 to help victims of domestic violence.

A cast of prominent Brisbane CEOs will put their pirouettes and pride on the line for the annual Dancing CEOs competition on 15 May to support the Women’s Legal Service’s provision of vital legal and social support services for vulnerable women and children.

Rafe Berding CEO of property technology company, The Search People, said he was excited to take to the stage after months of preparation.

“I have taken the dancing lessons and gained confidence rehearsing in my office countless times, but I know it’ll be a completely different feeling when I take to stage next month,” Berding said.

“I’ll be the first to say I’ve got two left feet, but I know this event is about more than dancing for all of us competing. It’s an honour to help raise funds for the Women’s Legal Service to support the amazing work they do,” he said.

Berding and his competitors had extra time to master their moves after the planned 2020 Dancing CEO event was postponed due to the pandemic.

Fellow competitor, founder and owner of beauty clinic Brazilian Beauty, Francesca Webster, said her intimate understanding of domestic violence and other challenges women face inspired her to don her dancing shoes.

“I’ve competed in Dancing CEOs, and I know how great the event is and the impact it has, but this year is particularly special to me,” Webster said.

“It was only in the lead-up to this year’s competition that I shared my story of survival. Being out of my relationship and having the confidence to use my voice to help others makes me feel better than I have for years. This year, I’m dancing for the one in six women who, like myself included, have experienced physical or sexual violence at the hands of their partner,” she said.

The event competitors can win the Allstar Fundraising Champion and Judges Choice Champion awards, among other titles.

Attendees can also go in the running to win a three-day tropical getaway to the Whitsundays, thanks to event sponsor Adagold Aviation.

The Dancing CEOs event will take place on Saturday, 15 May 2021, at Brisbane City Hall.