Muriel is a Yorta Yorta and Dja Dja Wurrung woman and one of Australia’s leading experts on Aboriginal child welfare, particularly in the area of child and family services. Muriel has been the CEO of the Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency (VACCA) since 1999 and has returned as Chairperson for SNAICC after holding the position from 1998-2008.

Rachel is a proud Yorta Yorta woman. She was instrumental in the creation of the Palm Island Community Company and has been CEO since its founding in 2007. She is the Chair of the Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Protection Peak (QATSICPP), and a board member of the Queensland First Children and Families Board. She was formerly President of the Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council, and CEO of the Townsville Aboriginal and Islanders Health Service.

“I support the work of SNAICC because of my passion for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children’s health, welfare, and human development.”

John is a proud Birri Gubba, Wakka Wakka and Tongan man born and raised on Gadigal land and has been the CEO of AbSec – NSW Child, Family and Community Peak Aboriginal Corporation since 2021. He has a wealth of knowledge and strategic thinking to address the many challenges facing Aboriginal children and families in NSW. John has worked extensively in Indigenous health, education and employment programs across state and federal government and is well known as a health ambassador.

Joanne Della Bona is a Noongar yorga (woman) from Whadjuk (Perth) and Balardong (Wheatbelt) Boodja (country) in Western Australia. Joanne has more than 30 years of experience in the community services sector, in early childhood education and care, education, housing, child protection governance. Joanne commenced her career with qualifications of a Bachelor of Education. She is passionate about early childhood education for Aboriginal children and providing children with a solid development foundation through education. She was awarded Western Australian of the Year Awards 1994 – Youth Category. Joanne has held Board positions at Noongar Radio, Aboriginal Family Law Services, Noongar Family Safety Wellbeing Council (NFSWC) and Western Australian Council of Social Services (WACOSS). Currently a Council Member of SNAICC, Campaign member of Family Matters and Trustee to the Wongatha Peoples Education and Recreation Trust.

Wendy is a proud palawa woman from lutruwita/Tasmania. Wendy has family connections to the Furneaux Islands, specifically Cape Barren and Flinders Island. Wendy’s family are the inspiration and motivation for the work she does in advocating and supporting positive changes for Aboriginal children and youth in lutruwita/Tasmania. Wendy is a qualified social worker, who has worked at the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre for 18 years. She is currently employed as the Statewide Family and Children’s Program Manager and recently spent 12 months working on the Tasmanian Commission of Inquiry into child sexual abuse in government institutions.

Barbara Henry is a respected Aboriginal leader from the Noongar Nation with over 40 years advocating for the rights and wellbeing of Aboriginal families, women, children and communities. Barbara currently serves as Director of the Noongar Family Safety and Wellbeing Council, an organisation committed to the safety of families, especially women and children, ensuring families stay safe together and children are not unnecessarily removed and placed into care. Barbara has held key roles requiring policy and program intervention, particularly in family and domestic violence, helping shape more culturally responsive approaches across Western Australia. She has also contributed her expertise as a member of the Western Australian Government’s Family and Domestic Violence Taskforce.

Kylie Degenhardt is a proud Palawa woman and Executive Manager Cultural Clinician at Aboriginal Family Support Services, bringing over 15 years of experience across the public and not-for-profit sectors in areas including health, mental health, homelessness, family support and child protection. A highly respected leader, Kylie has worked extensively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, developing and leading culturally responsive programs that support high-needs clients and strengthen community wellbeing. She has played a key role in driving organisational change through her leadership of Reconciliation Action Plans, national cultural awareness training initiatives and cross-sector collaborations.

Elizabeth (Lizzie) Adams is a proud Aboriginal woman from South West Queensland and the Chief Executive Officer of Goolburri Aboriginal Health Advancement Co Ltd and Chairperson of QATSICPP. Beginning her career in nursing, Lizzie’s passion for improving healthcare outcomes for her people evolved into a distinguished leadership role within one of the largest Aboriginal Community Controlled Health and Social Care Organisations in the Darling Downs and Western Queensland. A strategic thinker and advocate for innovation, Lizzie has been instrumental in advancing place-based, integrated approaches to health and social care.

Selina Walker is a proud Ngunnawal woman and dedicated leader from Canberra, who has worked for over twelve years across the ACT human services sectors, including child and youth protection, homelessness, mental health and women’s services. As co-chair of the ACT Reconciliation Council since 2018, Selina has been a strong advocate for reconciliation and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander rights. She is a founding member of Yerrabi Yurwang Child and Family Aboriginal Corporation, working to improve outcomes for Aboriginal families and children, and advocates for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the justice system as a member of the ACT Victims of Crime and Justice Committee.