Tri Duc Nguyen was born in Vietnam and arrived in Australia via Malaysia by boat as part of the UNHCR Refugee Program in the early 1980s. Having benefitted greatly from growing up in strong supportive communities that encouraged cultural diversity and importantly retention, he is particularly keen to ensure that Indigenous cultures are maintained wherever possible and through empowerment. He was the first Vietnamese law graduate of the University of Adelaide. He is an accomplished corporate lawyer highly experienced in corporate governance, compliance & risk, finance & investment, M&A, corporate restructuring, Government and stakeholder relationship. Tri has over 2 decades of board level experience and have held various C-Suite roles in a range of industries: ASX (Telecommunication, Agricultural, Forestry, Manufacturing, Construction, Regulated Investment and Hospitality), Federal Government, Funds Management, and Community/Not for Profit. He is an Independent Director at First Super (member, Audit and Compliance Committee), Board Member of the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (member, Audit and Risk Management Committee), Trustee of Trust for Nature (member, Audit and Risk Committee; Chair, Finance and Investment Committee), Chair of NoLo Life Ltd., and a Director of Clean Swell Dreaming Pty Ltd. Tri is Special Legal Counsel and Company Secretary at genU; and Company Secretary at the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation.

Emmanuela Shinta is a Dayak leader, activist, environmentalist, filmmaker and writer with a reputation for leading and empowering indigenous youth. Her work has been recognized widely in the Asia Pacific through her YOUTH ACT CAMPAIGN, an indigenous youth movement for climate action as a response to forest fire and haze in 2015. In 2016, Emmanuela founded an organisation called Ranu Welum Foundation, through which she has trained hundreds of young indigenous people to use audio-visual media to speak about indigenous people’s rights. She has been speaking about Dayak people across international forums and bringing the stories from Kalimantan Island to a global audience through films and her book ME, MODERNISM AND MY INDIGENOUS ROOTS. Emmanuela is also the founder of the International Indigenous Film Festival series across South East Asia. In 2018, Emmanuela began a world storytelling tour themed around Indigenous Stories That Matter, which travelled through the United States, Australia, Europe and many Asian countries.

Meg Ryan holds a Bachelor of Laws with Distinction and a Bachelor of International Studies with Distinction (majoring in International Relations). Meg is currently Legal Counsel and Assistant Company Secretary at Web Travel Group. Meg was previously Legal Counsel and Company Secretary at not-for-profit genU and commercial and corporate lawyer at Meridian Lawyers. Meg has volunteered her time to IEF as company secretary, managing all things to do with the Board of Directors and IEF’s various obligations to regulators.

Jade Preston has committed the past twenty-five years to working with and advocating for highly vulnerable people whose significant complex needs aren’t met through existing service systems. She holds a strong sense of social justice and view to influence systemic change to support improvement in the life quality of marginalised people.

Within her current role at the Department of Health she facilitates resources to the sector for people experiencing mental illness, psychological distress, cognitive impairment, neurodiversity and trauma; by identifying systemic issues, service gaps and opportunities. In 2018, Jade had the privilege of a life-changing experience in visiting the island of Siberut, our partner team/program, and being welcomed by the Mentawai community.

Rob Henry has worked with marginalised groups at a grass-root level since 2008 – including extensive periods living and working alongside the Mentawai community for many years in western Sumatra. In 2014, Rob founded the Indigenous Education Foundation (IEF) in support of the Mentawai community and other Indigenous groups who are facing challenges overcoming hurdles inhibiting advancement of their cultural & ecological education initiatives. In 2017, Rob launched award-winning documentary film, As Worlds Divide, as a key fund & awareness raising tool to support the Suku Mentawai cultural & ecological program. Rob has volunteered his time to IEF and our Indigenous-partners in various roles including Chairperson, Director, President, Partner liaison, and Management of day-to-day operations throughout its formation and continues to do so today.

Damian Sutherland is Senior Director at a leading Australian Accounting firm, William Buck, and holds numerous Board positions.

Rob Henry has worked with marginalised groups at a grass-root level since 2008 – including extensive periods living and working alongside the Mentawai community for many years in western Sumatra. In 2014, Rob founded the Indigenous Education Foundation (IEF) in support of the Mentawai community and other Indigenous groups who are facing challenges overcoming hurdles inhibiting advancement of their cultural & ecological education initiatives. In 2017, Rob launched award-winning documentary film, As Worlds Divide, as a key fund & awareness raising tool to support the Suku Mentawai cultural & ecological program. Rob has volunteered his time to IEF and our Indigenous-partners in various roles including Chairperson, Director, President, Partner liaison, and Management of day-to-day operations throughout its formation and continues to do so today.

Samantha Lee is an Australian forest scientist and ethnobotanist whose work sits at the intersection of Indigenous knowledge, biodiversity, and community-led conservation. With a background spanning science, art and nonprofit operations, her work is grounded in storytelling, creative innovation, and cross-cultural collaboration.

As a National Geographic Explorer, her fieldwork has taken her to the Mentawai Islands in Indonesia, where she collaborated with local knowledge holders to co-author Siureman Purimanuaijat ka Mattaoi – the region’s first ethnobotanical field guide.

Sam currently works with the Otway Agroforestry Network, helping farmers and landholders in southwest Victoria implement regenerative land practices. She also works across operations and governance with MOPRA – a Yolnu-governed Aboriginal Corporation in Northeast Arnhem Land, supporting community-led initiatives and service delivery that strengthens cultural authority and connection to Country. For nearly a decade, Sam has proudly served as Operations Manager at the Indigenous Education Foundation, supporting programs that amplify Indigenous voices and leadership in cultural and ecological-based education.

Chantalle is a graphic designer with a love for creativity in all forms. She enjoys exploring a wide range of illustration and branding styles, always seeking new ways to bring ideas to life. Chantalle contributes her creative skills to support visual communications, helping to bring the organisation’s mission to life through compelling design. Outside of design, you’ll often find her behind the camera, painting delicate portraits, collecting visual inspiration, and creating beautiful, meaningful work.

Beryl is a human resource and industrial relations professional with experience in delivering people focused initiatives to create an inclusive and welcoming culture where everyone belongs. Beryl has an extensive background in day-to-day operational human resources which includes HR records management, HR policies and compliance, recruitment and retention, and staff training and development. Beryl is a firm believer in designing reward and recognition programs that will support and promote ongoing career development and progression.

Samuel graduated with a Master of Data Science from Deakin University and is passionate about pursuing a career in the IT industry. Through his volunteer role as an IT Supervisor with IEF, Samuel is gaining valuable experience and knowledge in managing IT projects. He is dedicated to continuous self-learning and sees this opportunity as an ideal way to apply his skills, explore new technologies, and further develop his expertise. In addition to his role at IEF, Samuel actively volunteers with other organisations, contributing his time to support both the local community and international student initiatives.

People-centredness is at the root of everything Beatrice Chew works on. They believe that equitable future is powered by all. In Eora country, Beatrice leans on their roots in design management to connect systems and people – turning complexity into practical and accessible improvements. Their knowledge and experience spans communications, customer experience research, education, software development, and business.

Guided by a deep commitment to People & Culture as well as lived experience and disability, Beatrice extended their strategic approaches into organisational design for inclusive practices, leading a multi-organisation workplace assessment toward national-level Disability Confident accreditation. Currently pursuing business studies, Beatrice looks forward to applying their business administration capabilities as HR Officer at IEF.

Riley is a software developer with five years of professional experience. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electronic Science and a Master’s degree in Integrated Circuit Engineering. Riley recently moved to Australia with her partner, who is currently studying here, and she is committed to contributing to the local community and integrating into Australian life.

Passionate about animals, Riley also volunteers with RSPCA. She hopes to use her technical skills to support IEF by helping build more efficient, interactive, and user-friendly digital platforms and systems.