Chairperson

Steve Kinnane Steve Kinnane is an active researcher and published author who has worked on community-based cultural heritage, curatorial and development projects, and as a lecturer in Indigenous Studies, Sustainability and Australian History for more than 25 years. Steve has held various research, advisory and governance positions at a range of universities and cultural institutions, including Magabala Books, The Kimberley Aboriginal Law and Culture Centre, The Wheatbelt Aboriginal Corporation, Murdoch University, The National Centre for Biography of the Australian National University (ANU), the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies and the WA Museum. He is currently the Chair of Indigenous Studies and Engagement for the Nulungu Research Institute of the University of Notre Dame', Australia, and is a PhD Scholar at the Research School of Social Sciences (ANU). Steve is a Marda Marda from Miriwoong country in the East Kimberley.  

Deputy Chair

Bebe Oliver is a Bardi Jawi award-winning author, poet, and illustrator dedicated to elevating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander writers. Originally a classical pianist and composer, he has produced theatre, dance, public art, and festivals across Australia, Aotearoa, and Europe. His debut poetry collection, more than these bones (Magabala Books, 2023), received widespread acclaim.  

Bebe has collaborated with organisations including Aesop, Global Citizen, and World Pride to amplify Blak stories. Bebe holds multiple board positions, including Deputy Chair of Magabala Books, and is dedicated to the advocacy, wellbeing, and advancement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

Treasurer

Abby-Rose Cox is a member of the Nimunburr community with connections to Kija in the East Kimberley. Her experiences of teaching primarily with Aboriginal youth has been a driving force in pursuing a career in research. She works as the Evaluation and Research manager and the Kimberley Aboriginal Health Research Alliance in Broome, which aims to flip research in the Kimberley to ensure First Nations people are involved in every stage of research journeys. Furthermore, her PhD centres culturally strong social and emotional well being programs as a priority for health and education 

Director

Lenka Vanderboom grew up on her Yawuru homelands in the Kimberley and is currently based on Wadawurrung lands in Victoria. As a producer, group work facilitator and eco-educator across Australia and the globe (online) Lenka has a focus on encouraging brave and considered strategic engagement and codesign processes. Among a range of creative positions, Lenka works at the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria specialising in engaging students, educators, and the public in general, in wellbeing and nature-based learning largely through First Nations’ STEAM, history and cultural enquiry. 

Director 

Josepha Howard is a proud Kija, Yawuru, Jabirr Jabirr woman. She is the Acting CEO at Garnduwa and previously worked in leadership positions at SNAICC, Nirrumbuk Aboriginal Corporation and Waardi Ltd. Josepha has many years’ experience working with various boards and was a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. 

Director

Traelyn Aiken is a local filmmaker in Rubibi (Broome) and is also the video production manager at Pilbara and Kimberley Aboriginal Media. His job is to help remote Indigenous communities create films and he is passionate about supporting Kimberley and Pilbara mob to share their stories. 

Director

Shas Jurud is a proud nonbinary Bardi Kija Director who holds a Bachelor of Education from the University of Notre Dame Broome, specialising in Aboriginal Education, and an MSc in Applied Linguistics from the University of Oxford. They were the inaugural Director of Education at the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies and led Aboriginal Education across 164 schools for Catholic Education Western Australia. Shas serves on boards including Reconciliation Australia and the Aurora Education Foundation and is an Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Western Australia. 

Director

Marlee Hutton is a Bardi Jawi woman with a background in Ecology and Marine Science. Having extensive experience working across the Kimberley, Marlee is passionate about supporting Traditional Owners and Indigenous Rangers in developing independent monitoring programs incorporating both Traditional Ecological Knowledge and western science practices.  She is determined to support Indigenous corporations and peoples across Australia in gaining data sovereignty and increasing opportunities for traditional land management careers.