Our Team

Rachel is a proud descendant of the Yuin Nation and currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia. Driven by her own experiences of systemic neglect as a child carer, Rachel is passionate about driving reforms within the Australian mental health system, particularly for children in caring arrangements. Her goal is to support Gayaa Dhuwi’s vision of achieving the highest attainable standard of social and emotional wellbeing, mental health, and suicide prevention outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

With over a decade of experience in the health sector, Rachel has made significant contributions in both the optometry industry and the community-controlled sector. She has held pivotal roles at the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) and Gayaa Dhuwi, which has been instrumental in advancing the objectives of the organisation. Rachel holds a Bachelor of Social Sciences (Social Policy) and a Master of Business Management from the University of Wollongong.

In recognition of her outstanding community spirit and resilience, Rachel was honoured as the 2022 Rising Woman of Spirit by Lifeline Canberra. This accolade reflects her unwavering commitment to ensuring that no child experiences the same systemic neglect she faced.

Beyond her professional roles, Rachel is co-chair of the Wharerātā Hui, board member of Suicide Prevention Australia and the Capital Health Network, and the deputy co-chair of the Social and Emotional Wellbeing Policy Partnership, where she continues to advocate for systemic reforms that uplift her community.

Born and raised on Ngunnawal country, Clare has more than a decade of experience in the communications and engagement field, in the not-for-profit environment, and in all levels of government.

She has worked as the Communications Officer at the Australian College of Mental Health Nurses, the Communications Team Lead for the Institute for Urban Indigenous Health’s Deadly Choices program, the Communications Manager at the Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council, and Communications Manager at the Coalition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peak Organisations.

As Chief Operations Officer at Gayaa Dhuwi, Clare is responsible for the smooth running of the organisation and promotion of leadership, excellence, and presence across all parts of the Australian mental health system and the achievement of the highest attainable standard of social and emotional wellbeing, mental health, and suicide prevention outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Margaret was born and raised in Brisbane but has worked in the Northern Territory, New South Wales and Queensland. An accomplished policy professional, Margaret has experience working in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Health Sector and the public health system. A dedicated and hardworking leader with considerable experience in all aspects of project management including contract management, program delivery, stakeholder engagement, policy development and research ethics. Margaret has a keen interest in improved health outcomes through effective health system support – increasing and improving patient access and experience through improving the system. Margaret has a Bachelor of Science and a Graduate Certificate in Policy and Governance.

Ethan is a proud Kamilaroi (Gah-mi-lah-roy) man from Northern New South Wales, with a strong cultural connection and family ties to Moree NSW.

For the past 15 years, Ethan has lived and worked in Canberra, on the land of the Ngunnawal and Ngambri peoples. He has over four years’ experience working in the community-controlled sector in various communications roles for two peak leadership bodies, the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) and Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia.

Ethan rejoins the Gayaa Dhuwi team after spending 18-months working as a multi-platform journalist for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) at ABC Canberra and ABC Southwest WA in Bunbury, Western Australia. He has worked on stories covering a range of topics including breaking news and Indigenous affairs and has produced stories for radio, TV, Digital, and social media.

As A/g Director of Communications, Ethan will work closely across all areas of Gayaa Dhuwi to support the organisation in promoting leadership, excellence and presence across all parts of the Australian mental health systems and the achievement of the highest attainable standard of social and emotional well-being, mental health, and suicide prevention outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities.

Sally is an experienced Event Co-ordinator with a proven track record in managing large-scale conferences, exhibitions, and events. With a passion for creating impactful experiences, she excels in designing events that foster meaningful dialogue and drive engagement on key issues. Sally is committed to using her expertise to amplify important conversations, ensuring that every event she coordinates serves as a platform for positive change and connection. At Gayaa Dhuwi, she brings extensive skills to create events that support the organisation’s mission and contribute to improving social and emotional wellbeing, mental health and suicide prevention outcomes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

An experienced and driven communications professional, Pamela Hutchinson joins Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia as a Senior Communications Officer, previously holding communications roles at The Australian National University (ANU), first as a Corporate Communications Officer in the central communications team, and then as a Marketing and Communications Coordinator at the ANU Law School.

Pamela holds undergraduate degrees from ANU, and a master’s in Global Media Communication from the University of Melbourne. While studying at ANU, she interned in a ministerial office at the ACT Legislative Assembly, producing a research report that examined the overrepresentation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth in care and protection. She is currently completing a Master of Communication Management (online) at the University of Southern California, specialising in strategic and organisational communication.

As Senior Communications Officer, Pamela leads the development and implementation of communication strategies that promote Gayaa Dhuwi’s vision, values, and programs. She also manages content creation across channels, ensuring consistent and impactful messaging, and works closely with stakeholders to enhance the organisation’s visibility and reputation.

Siani is a proud a Wiradjuri and Wongaibon-Ngiyaampaa woman, with family and community connections throughout Canberra and New South Wales. Her commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health advocacy has been shaped by her experiences as the child of a Stolen Generations survivor.

She brings to Gayaa Dhuwi her skills from over two decades of work across the community and private sectors, including as Policy Manager with the Australian Indigenous Doctors’ Association and as Manager of Audit and Evaluation with Curijo Consulting. Siani also brings unique expertise as a cultural safety training facilitator and as a foundational research contributor with the First Nations Fellowship.

As Operations Manager at Gayaa Dhuwi, Siani supports the delivery of operational and governance excellence, sustainable business practices, and positive workplace culture.

Juhleeya is an Administration Officer who brings essential organisational skills, a strong sense of culture and inclusion and a can-do attitude to her role. Juhleeya oversees the smooth operation of office functions, including managing schedules, coordinating resources, and supporting the team to ensure efficiency and productivity.

Juhleeya is a proud Wiradjuri woman originally from Narrandera, NSW and relocated to Ngunnawal/Ngambri country in 2024 to pursue her career. She has a strong connection to her country and family roots and is committed to promoting cultural awareness and inclusivity in the workplace.

Her role at Gayaa Dhuwi not only requires strong administrative expertise but also a commitment to fostering a supportive and welcoming environment for all team members. With a strong sense of community and a dedication to personal growth, Juhleeya continues to uplift those around her through her strong work ethic, friendly demeanour, and willingness to improve.

Michelle is a skilled and experienced professional executive assistant with a wealth of administrative expertise gained over many years in the workforce. After spending a significant portion of her career running her own successful business in racehorse breeding and management, Michelle decided to re-enter the mainstream workforce in 2021. Her transition brought with it a deep understanding of the importance of organisation, attention to detail, and strategic support.

For the past three years, Michelle has worked in the public service, where she further honed her skills in a diverse and dynamic environment. Her experiences there have equipped her with a comprehensive understanding of government operations, stakeholder engagement, and the intricacies of supporting senior leadership.

Michelle is excited and committed to supporting Gayaa Dhuwi’s vision and contributing to meaningful initiatives that enhance the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities through successful social and emotional wellbeing, mental health and suicide prevention outcomes.

Aiden is a dedicated and compassionate professional, driven to make a positive impact on the lives of others. He began his career running his own business for over five years, delivering essential fitness, mental, and emotional support services within the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). This experience deepened his ability to connect with individuals and provided a strong foundation in the complexities of disability support.

In 2020, Aiden transitioned to the Australian Public Service (APS), where he applied his expertise to drive meaningful change in various roles. Most recently, as part of the National Redress Scheme at the Department of Social Services, he solidified his dedication to advocating for vulnerable individuals and championing their rights.

Aiden excels in leadership, management, and strategic planning. His passion for creating supportive environments and achieving positive outcomes has earned him a reputation for collaboration and empathy. He believes everyone deserves access to high-quality support and opportunities, and this belief has guided his career. Aiden is eager to bring his experiences to Gayaa Dhuwi in supporting its vision of achieving the highest attainable standard of social and emotional wellbeing, mental health, and suicide prevention outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Originally from Ghana, Juliet has a diverse background in beauty therapy, hotel management, and event coordination, with experience working in both Ghana and Kenya. She also has a strong foundation in not-for-profit RTO compliance and corporate training, which has allowed her to manage complex projects and positively contribute to organisational growth. Currently studying law to deepen her ability to drive change, Juliet works as a Project Officer with the Social and Emotional Wellbeing Policy Partnership (SEWB PP) at Gayaa Dhuwi, where she focuses on supporting initiatives aimed at improving social and emotional wellbeing; improving mental health; and reducing suicide rates for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Natasha is a driven engagement practitioner committed to advancing self-determination, ensuring Indigenous perspectives are central to decision-making processes and local communities lead their own development.
With over a decade of experience across 11 countries, Natasha has worked in multi-disciplinary and cross-cultural teams across diverse sectors, always striving to centre local voices in the design, delivery and evaluation of projects and programs. In Australia, she has volunteered for the Gunawirra organisation, was an Aurora Foundation Intern, and contributed to the Nyamba Buru Yawuru’s Kimberley Indigenous Turtle and Dugong Initiative (2022-2032).

Natasha was also the Community Engagement and Communications Officer at the Barkly Regional Deal – a collaborative governance and collective impact initiative – where she worked to enhance Aboriginal leadership and drive policy and systems change, working directly with the three tiers of government, remote homelands and communities, Aboriginal land councils and local leaders, industry representatives, and trauma-informed care specialists. Natasha now holds the position of Senior Policy Officer at Gayaa Dhuwi, where she continues to advocate for Indigenous leadership and community-driven change.

Natasha holds a Bachelor’s degree in Human Rights and International Relations and a Master’s degree in Sustainable Development. She is pursuing a Master of Evaluation (commencing 2025), focusing on co-design and participatory approaches as tools of empowerment and enablers for local decision-making, and a Diploma in Counselling (expected completion 2025), focusing on trauma-informed care. Her commitment to supporting the facilitation of community-controlled development remains at the heart of her work, and she is proud to contribute to the promotion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership across the Australian mental health landscape and advocate for the wellbeing of these communities.

Ben holds degrees in both Medical Science and Journalism, along with a short course certificate in Science Communication. He has worked as a tutor at the University of Canberra, where he taught first-year units in Communication and Media. His professional background includes roles as a Staff Writer, Communication Officer, and Data Analyst across both public and private sectors. Deeply committed to empowering underrepresented communities, Ben currently serves on the board of Disability Media Australia and volunteers as an interviewer with Radio 1RPH. He has a passion for performance, whether it’s hosting a student radio show or singing for an audience. In his spare time, he enjoys competitive quizzing and cherishes time spent with his wife and young daughter. Ben believes that a good sense of humour can make the world a better place and is looking forward to travelling more in the future, particularly by cruise.