Our Board
The Kaiela Institute is a company limited by guarantee, governed by a board of directors.
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Paul Briggs AO - Executive Chair
Paul Briggs is a Yorta Yorta man who has a wealth of experience across a vast range of sectors in Aboriginal affairs and community development. In addition to being the founding Chairman of the Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO), Indigenous Leadership Network, First Nations Australian Credit Union, Koori Economic Employment and the Training Agency Committee and various other regional, state and national bodies, Paul currently holds office as Co-Chair of the AFL Indigenous Advisory Council, is an Empowered Communities leader, a member of the Goulburn Regional Partnership and was a member of the Victorian Aboriginal Treaty Working Group. While Paul plays many roles, he is best known as the founding president of the Rumbalara Football and Netball Club, Executive Director of the Kaiela Institute and the Chair of the Dungala Kaiela Foundation. He has been awarded a Doctor of Laws (Honoris Causa) by the University of Melbourne for his leadership and advocacy for First Nations' rights and advancement. He is a man of vision who has the wellbeing of our community at the core of everything he does. |
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Sandra Bailey
Sandra Bailey is Chairperson of the Brien Holden Vision Institute Foundation. She is a Yorta Yorta woman and former CEO of the Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council of NSW, a position she held for 25 years. Sandra has worked as a Solicitor for the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Services, and served as Head of the Aboriginal Issues Unit of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody. She has served on a number of Ministerial Advisory Committees and boards and been involved in several research projects in Aboriginal health including in the areas of child health and resilience. In recognition of her outstanding service in the Aboriginal health sector, Sandra was awarded the Australian Government Centenary Medal for Contribution to Health in 2003. In 2014, she was acknowledged for her service to the Aboriginal health sector, receiving the Hall of Fame award at the 2014 NSW Health Aboriginal Health Awards. |
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Justin Mohamed
Justin Mohamed is a Gooreng Gooreng man from Bundaberg in Queensland who is currently the Ambassador for First Nations People, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Previously he was the Deputy Secretary Aboriginal Justice at the Department of Justice and Community Safety, Victoria, Commissioner for Aboriginal Children and Young People of Victoria and had worked with Victorian Aboriginal communities for over 20 years before moving to Canberra to take on national positions as Chairperson of the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) and Chief Executive Officer of Reconciliation Australia. Prior to his move to Canberra, Justin held positions based in the Shepparton region as the Inaugural Director of the Academy of Sport, Health and Education (ASHE), CEO and later Chairperson of Rumbalara Aboriginal Cooperative Ltd. Justin has held positions on multiple community, state and national working groups, committees and boards and continues to Co-Chair Cricket Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Committee, Board Member of Kaiela Institute and Chairperson of Culture is Life. |
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Alister Thorpe
Alister Thorpe is Gunai, Yorta Yorta, Gunditjmara, and Wurrundjeri Woi-Wurrung man living in Naarm (Melbourne) and has many family and community relationships.
Alister is the Alma Thorpe Senior Research Fellow at Moondani Balluk, Victoria University and a member of the Lowitja Institute’s community research network, Australia’s National Institute for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Health Research. He is interested in research ethics, social and cultural determinants of health, data sovereignty, and Indigenous cultural governance.
He is an elected member of the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria, an independent body to represent Traditional Owners of Country and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Victoria. This democratically elected representative body has advanced pathways for treaties between First Nations and the State of Victoria and led the establishment of the Yoorrook (truth) Justice Commission. These substantial achievements create an environment that empowers First Nations to negotiate treaties, uphold their sovereignty, recognise their inherent rights to lands and waters, and hold Governments accountable for past injustices. The outcomes in Victoria demonstrate the benefits of a rights-based approach supporting self-determination that provide important learnings for other jurisdictions. The Assembly is now preparing to negotiate a state-wide Treaty with the State Government of Victoria.
Alister is committed to strengthening First Peoples voices, protecting First Peoples rights and supporting the aspirations of First Nations.
Alister Thorpe is Gunai, Yorta Yorta, Gunditjmara, and Wurrundjeri Woi-Wurrung man living in Naarm (Melbourne) and has many family and community relationships.
Alister is the Alma Thorpe Senior Research Fellow at Moondani Balluk, Victoria University and a member of the Lowitja Institute’s community research network, Australia’s National Institute for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Health Research. He is interested in research ethics, social and cultural determinants of health, data sovereignty, and Indigenous cultural governance.
He is an elected member of the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria, an independent body to represent Traditional Owners of Country and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Victoria. This democratically elected representative body has advanced pathways for treaties between First Nations and the State of Victoria and led the establishment of the Yoorrook (truth) Justice Commission. These substantial achievements create an environment that empowers First Nations to negotiate treaties, uphold their sovereignty, recognise their inherent rights to lands and waters, and hold Governments accountable for past injustices. The outcomes in Victoria demonstrate the benefits of a rights-based approach supporting self-determination that provide important learnings for other jurisdictions. The Assembly is now preparing to negotiate a state-wide Treaty with the State Government of Victoria.
Alister is committed to strengthening First Peoples voices, protecting First Peoples rights and supporting the aspirations of First Nations.
Janice Muir
Janice is a Yorta Yorta, Waddi Waddi and Ngarrindjeri woman who has a wealth of experience and knowledge across a range Aboriginal community sectors. As an academic she holds a Masters in Public Health. Janice has built her career in higher education working on a variety of community research projects that include strengthening service provision in Aboriginal community-controlled organisations. Janice has recently retired but remains engaged in community projects and activities. She is currently a board member of the Njernda Aboriginal Corporation, Munarra Centre for Regional Excellence, Kaiela Institute, and the Traditional Owner Land Management Board for the Barmah Forest. Janice is also a practising artist and cultural knowledge holder.
Janice is a Yorta Yorta, Waddi Waddi and Ngarrindjeri woman who has a wealth of experience and knowledge across a range Aboriginal community sectors. As an academic she holds a Masters in Public Health. Janice has built her career in higher education working on a variety of community research projects that include strengthening service provision in Aboriginal community-controlled organisations. Janice has recently retired but remains engaged in community projects and activities. She is currently a board member of the Njernda Aboriginal Corporation, Munarra Centre for Regional Excellence, Kaiela Institute, and the Traditional Owner Land Management Board for the Barmah Forest. Janice is also a practising artist and cultural knowledge holder.
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Steven Rothfield Steven has had a long career in general management, management consultancy, IT and finance. Prior to retirement he was managing director & joint owner of a national fast-moving-consumer-goods organisation with brands such as Redheads matches, Wilkinson Sword shaving products, Greencare Laundry and others. In the last 20 years he has worked as a hands-on volunteer and on the Boards in a range of not-for-profit areas in community development, the creative arts and philanthropy. His work with Indigenous leaders has spanned over 20 years, and he is particularly interested in supporting community development to improve creative, sporting, economic and educational opportunities for all. Steven is currently on the boards of the Adam Briggs Foundation and the Dungala Kaiela Foundation. Bill Kelsall Bill is an energetic, visionary and collaborative Professional Director with a passion for assisting companies to profitably grow and prosper. He has Board, executive and strategy & performance consulting experience on a wide range of issues, in Consumer & Retail,Health & Pharmaceuticals and Mining. In addition to strategy and performance,Generative AI, DE&I, Climate & Sustainability and First Nations issues have featured prominently in the past two years. Most recently he was Managing Director and Partner of Boston Consulting Group and led BCG's reconciliation action plan. |
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