Carly Jia is a nationally recognised education leader with over 19 years’ experience in senior leadership roles at international, national and regional levels. As a Yidinji, Badulaig and Meriam woman from Far North Queensland, Carly is passionate about the benefits and opportunities that education creates and is an advocate for the importance of Indigenous knowledge and the role it plays in improving education outcomes. She is the Principal Policy Analyst for First Nations Education Research with the Australian Education Research Organisation, looking at ways to improve excellence and equity in educational outcomes for Indigenous Australians. A published author and sought-after board and advisory committee member, Carly holds a Master of Education and a Graduate Certificate in Indigenous Education from QUT.

Nornie Bero is an Island girl - from the Komet Tribe of the Meriam people of Mer Island, she was raised in the Torres Strait. As a professional chef for over 20 years in Melbourne and London, Bero is passionate about sharing the food culture she grew up with on the Islands. She is the owner and executive chef of Mabu Mabu, a hospitality and food business in Melbourne that celebrates the fantastic Indigenous produce and flavours from across this big Island now known as Australia. Through her retail products, recently published cookbook, and flagship restaurant Big Esso at Federation Square, Bero is on a mission to get native herbs, spices, fruits, vegetables, and sustainable meats in every Australian kitchen pantry. 

Carol Vale is a Dunghutti woman and CEO of Murawin, an Indigenous Voice Consultancy offering services nationwide through offices in Brisbane and Sydney. Carol is a professional facilitator, social researcher, and policy analyst with expertise in Aboriginal issues, public policy, and stakeholder engagement across a range of sectors. Prior to Murawin, Carol has been a senior officer in the NSW and QLD Governments, spanning a career of 35+ years across Aboriginal Affairs including housing, education, child safety, justice, and intergovernmental relations. Within Murawin, Carol has created The Morning Sky Initiative, which is Murawin's philanthropic endeavour which focuses on educational and economic empowerment and gender equality for First Nations women and girls, whilst at the same time collaborating with sisters from culturally and racially marginalised (CARM) backgrounds to work together for collective empowerment.  

Sophia is the Owner Principal Consultant Kulpa Mardita delivering community-led outcomes through a participatory approach based on principles of reciprocity, respect, equality, survival, protection, and responsibility. Sophia is a Barkandji woman from Gol Gol in western NSW, currently completing a creative practice PhD in Architecture and Landscape Design through RMIT. Sophia’s research identifies that knowledge production is created with and through Indigenous ways of knowing and doing. Sophia’s research seeks to further decolonise methodologies and will be focused on the production of artefacts including weaving using evolving techniques whilst exploring material properties through their life cycle connecting to culture and country. Sophia is a passionate advocate for her people at both a local and national level. Sophia’s work has been published nationally and internationally in both academic and community forums.