William is an Arrernte man, born in Mparntwe/Alice Springs. A member of the Stolen Generations, William was taken to Croker Island where he attended school and lived with many First Nations children. In 1967, he was moved off the mission to Darwin and in 1969, he returned to Alice Springs.

During and after time spent in South Australia in the 1970s, William has worked in various Government and Aboriginal organisations. He was elected the Central Australian ATSIC Regional Chair in the 1980s. From 1988 to 2010, he was the Executive Director of Tangentyere Council. William believes that First Nations children, families and communities should have every opportunity to own and control the decisions that affect them.

MK Turner OAM is a respected North Eastern Arrernte (ayerrere ikngerre) Elder, cultural advisor, translator, teacher, social justice champion, artist and author. In 1997, she received the Medal of the Order of Australia in recognition of her service to the First Nations community of Central Australia, through preserving language and culture, and interpreting.

MK has fought for the rights of First Nations people for over four decades. She is dedicated to keeping Arrernte culture, life and language rich and strong.

Amunda is an Arrernte woman living in Mparntwe/Alice Springs with her three children. Her traditional connection to lands are Irpmangkere (south/west of Mparntwe) & Irlmpe (north of Mparntwe). She is an experienced community health researcher and a specialist in facilitating First Nations/Western relationships. Amunda brings important practical experience and theoretical knowledge in research and evaluation with First Nations communities. Additionally, she is an accomplished artist and illustrator, with work commissioned by various not-for-profits and organisations.

Dr Jordan Cory is a proud Kamilaroi woman, surgical doctor and Fulbright Scholar in Naarm (Melbourne). She joined the Children’s Ground board in 2019 and is a past board member of the Australian Indigenous Doctors’ Association. She is passionate about disrupting the status quo and breaking cycles of social disadvantage. Jordan has both academic and personal interest in community leadership and self-determination, social determinants of health, and culturally-safe and responsive social services.

John Lochowiak is a Pitjantjatjara man who grew up in Coober Pedy, graduating through both customary law and Western education. John has a Bachelor of Arts (education) and has worked as a cross cultural consultant for over 15 years.  

John has held a range of executive positions including with the St Vincent de Paul Society, Aboriginal Catholic Ministry; National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Commission and the Australian Catholic Prisoner Pastoral Care Commission.

Annalee Stearne is a Nyungar woman with connections to Western Australia’s Pilbara and Kimberley. Annalee is a qualified teacher, and public health researcher, and PhD candidate at Curtin University, with a focus on ensuring First Nations people are included in alcohol policy development in the N.T. Her interests lie in project evaluations, database design and development, and developing Aboriginal communities’ capacity to understand and be involved in research. 

Joanne Willmott is a Wakka Wakka woman, born and raised in Cherbourg Aboriginal Mission. Jo has worked for many years with governments, non-government and Aboriginal organisations to promote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander rights, including as the Chair of the Joint Board of Managers for Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park and as the Aboriginal Programs Manager for Relationships Australia.

Joanne was South Australian Elder of the Year in 2016 and in 2020, she was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for her service to the Indigenous Communities of South Australia.

Jane Vadiveloo is the founding CEO of Children’s Ground and has a 20-year history leading reform and services provision with communities experiencing extreme disadvantage and trauma. She has lived in the Northern Territory for 19 years and has over 30 years of connection to the Arrernte people in Central Australia. Jane has worked with children, families and communities at high risk, establishing strength and justice-based approaches to achieve long term change. In 2014, Jane was listed among the Westpac Australian Financial Review 100 Women of Influence. 

Kon is CEO and Founder of the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC). He was named a Finalist for Australian of the Year (Victoria) in 2007, invited to participate in the 2020 Summit in 2008, voted one of Australia’s 20 Unsung Heroes in 2008, and was named as Melbourne’s 100 most influential people by The Age. Kon was awarded a Churchill Fellowship in 2010 and an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) in 2011.

Amy Poynton is an experienced Corporate Executive, Senior Partner and Non-Executive Director of major companies in the professional services, technology, banking industries, and not-for-profits. Amy has over 30 years of combined experience in business management, expert consultation & professional services. She has international experience in business management, customer relationship management and advisory services across ASX and Global top 10 companies and partnerships.

Josie is a chartered accountant with extensive experience in accounting and strategic financial management including at Rio Tinto, Arthur Andersen and Clayton Utz. Josie has a strong background in corporate governance and experience in the non-profit and health sectors. She is currently a Director on several boards, chairing the Finance and/or Audit Committees, and is an external member of a number of advisory committees.

Clive Ringler is a Portfolio Manager and Financial Adviser with Morgan Stanley. He has over 25 years’ experience in the financial markets, covering global and Australian investments across all asset classes. Clive holds a degree in Economics from the University of New England, Armidale and a Master of Commerce from the University of NSW. Having grown up in the Kimberley region of WA, he has a keen focus on youth and Indigenous issues.