Glenn Johnston
Chair
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Glenn Johnston
Chair
Glenn Johnston (Chair) is a proud Darug man from Western Sydney.
Glenn has more than 30 years of commercial, procurement and logistics leadership experience in both private and public sector and is a nationally recognised, passionate advocate for Aboriginal business development and employment.
He is a Director and Deputy Chair at Supply Nation and a Director of the AIATSIS Foundation Board.
Currently employed by Transport for NSW as the Director, Procurement Sustainability with a focus on the positive social, economic and environmental impacts that procurement can deliver.
Cecilia is a strategy, research and engagement expert with specialist knowledge working with and for diverse communities across a range of policy areas, including education and employment. She is General Manager, Advisory Services at Inside Policy, an Aboriginal owned and led consultancy.
Cecilia has been involved in Aboriginal policy, advocacy and affairs for more than 20 years to support equity and advancement for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in NSW and nationally, including as a senior advisor to the NSW Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, at the NSW Department of Aboriginal Affairs, and with National Congress of Australia's First Peoples, and as a freelance consultant. She has worked in the area of Aboriginal employment and economic development across many of her roles.
At the core of her work ethic is the belief that all communities have a right to self-determination and to have their voices heard. She has recently stepped down after five years as non-Indigenous Co-Chair of Reconciliation NSW.
Karen Cooper
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Karen Cooper
(Deputy Chair)
Karen is a proud Kamilaroi woman from Southwest Queensland.
Karen has extensive experience in senior leadership in both the private sector and not-for-profit organisations.
She has over 25 years of experience in banking, employment and community development, most recently as CEO of RISE Ventures, a Community Development provider aimed at building capacity of local Indigenous communities and their economies.
Through her private consulting business, Karen works with Boards and Senior Executives in strategy development, organisation design, governance and leadership development. She has served on numerous RAP Committees and Advisory Groups to local and state committees. Karen holds a Master in Business Administration.
Sean's traditional lands are located at Padthaway in South Australia from the extended Potaruwutj family of the Tatiara region and has worked serving Indigenous communities around Australia over the past decade.
Sean joined IBA in June 2020, he is an experienced executive in corporate, community and not for profit sectors. He has managed and delivered nationally award-winning programs impacting communities throughout Australia in collaboration with Federal and State governments resulting in the employment of more than 900 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people and tens of millions of dollars procured through Indigenous businesses.
His community engagement involved co-founding CareerTrackers, and board membership across multiple foundations. Sean is a member of the alumni council at the University of Melbourne.
Cecilia Anthony
Director
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Cecilia Anthony
Director
Cecilia is a strategy, research and engagement expert with specialist knowledge working with and for diverse communities across a range of policy areas, including education and employment. She is General Manager, Advisory Services at Inside Policy, an Aboriginal owned and led consultancy.
Cecilia has been involved in Aboriginal policy, advocacy and affairs for more than 20 years to support equity and advancement for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in NSW and nationally, including as a senior advisor to the NSW Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, at the NSW Department of Aboriginal Affairs, and with National Congress of Australia's First Peoples, and as a freelance consultant. She has worked in the area of Aboriginal employment and economic development across many of her roles.
At the core of her work ethic is the belief that all communities have a right to self-determination and to have their voices heard. She has recently stepped down after five years as non-Indigenous Co-Chair of Reconciliation NSW.
Cecilia is a strategy, research and engagement expert with specialist knowledge working with and for diverse communities across a range of policy areas, including education and employment. She is General Manager, Advisory Services at Inside Policy, an Aboriginal owned and led consultancy.
Cecilia has been involved in Aboriginal policy, advocacy and affairs for more than 20 years to support equity and advancement for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in NSW and nationally, including as a senior advisor to the NSW Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, at the NSW Department of Aboriginal Affairs, and with National Congress of Australia's First Peoples, and as a freelance consultant. She has worked in the area of Aboriginal employment and economic development across many of her roles.
At the core of her work ethic is the belief that all communities have a right to self-determination and to have their voices heard. She has recently stepped down after five years as non-Indigenous Co-Chair of Reconciliation NSW.
Sean Armistead
Director
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Sean Armistead
(Director)
Sean's traditional lands are located at Padthaway in South Australia from the extended Potaruwutj family of the Tatiara region and has worked serving Indigenous communities around Australia over the past decade.
Sean joined IBA in June 2020, he is an experienced executive in corporate, community and not for profit sectors. He has managed and delivered nationally award-winning programs impacting communities throughout Australia in collaboration with Federal and State governments resulting in the employment of more than 900 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people and tens of millions of dollars procured through Indigenous businesses.
His community engagement involved co-founding CareerTrackers, and board membership across multiple foundations. Sean is a member of the alumni council at the University of Melbourne.
Sean's traditional lands are located at Padthaway in South Australia from the extended Potaruwutj family of the Tatiara region and has worked serving Indigenous communities around Australia over the past decade.
Sean joined IBA in June 2020, he is an experienced executive in corporate, community and not for profit sectors. He has managed and delivered nationally award-winning programs impacting communities throughout Australia in collaboration with Federal and State governments resulting in the employment of more than 900 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people and tens of millions of dollars procured through Indigenous businesses.
His community engagement involved co-founding CareerTrackers, and board membership across multiple foundations. Sean is a member of the alumni council at the University of Melbourne.
Karen is a proud Kamilaroi woman from Southwest Queensland.
Karen has extensive experience in senior leadership in both the private sector and not-for-profit organisations.
She has over 25 years of experience in banking, employment and community development, most recently as CEO of RISE Ventures, a Community Development provider aimed at building capacity of local Indigenous communities and their economies.
Through her private consulting business, Karen works with Boards and Senior Executives in strategy development, organisation design, governance and leadership development. She has served on numerous RAP Committees and Advisory Groups to local and state committees. Karen holds a Master in Business Administration.
Kate Russell
Director
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Kate is a proud Aboriginal woman from Lake Macquarie.
Kate has been involved in employment and education programs across the public, private and non-profit sectors both in Australia and overseas.
She is a member of Biraban LALC, a Board Director for the Diversity Council Australia, a Board Director for Interrelate, and the Director of the Office of the Group Deputy Secretary - Place, Design and Public Space for the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment.
Through her personal and professional experience she has seen that educational and employment pathways are key to economic empowerment. She has strong HR generalist skills, general management experience across multiple levels of government, and a thorough understanding of the VET sector.
She has a Bachelor of International Studies, an MBA and an Executive Masters of Public Administration.
Kate is a proud Aboriginal woman from Lake Macquarie.
Kate has been involved in employment and education programs across the public, private and non-profit sectors both in Australia and overseas.
She is a member of Biraban LALC, a Board Director for the Diversity Council Australia, a Board Director for Interrelate, and the Director of the Office of the Group Deputy Secretary - Place, Design and Public Space for the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment.
Through her personal and professional experience she has seen that educational and employment pathways are key to economic empowerment. She has strong HR generalist skills, general management experience across multiple levels of government, and a thorough understanding of the VET sector.
She has a Bachelor of International Studies, an MBA and an Executive Masters of Public Administration.
Matthew Clarke
Chief Executive Officer
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Matthew Clarke
Chief Executive Officer
Matt Clarke is a proud Ngunnawal man from the Far South Coast of NSW and was appointed as the Inaugural CEO of Yilabara Solutions in 2020. Matt comes to Yilabara Solutions with over 20 years of combined experience in employment services and Aboriginal Health.
Matt has worked primarily in the NFP sector. His previous roles were Deputy CEO of the National Employment Services Association (NESA) and National Executive Manager for Campbell Page.
Matt has always been a passionate advocate for Aboriginal employment and economic development and this has seen him invited to talk on these matters domestically and internationally.
With a committed focus on equity Matt has been at the forefront of government reform leading several national Closing The Gap projects in areas of employment services, capacity building, mental health and remote school attendance.
Matt brings to Yilabara Solutions a strong belief in collaboration and a measured approach ensuring that conversations always flow from challenges to solution. He is the current deputy chair of NSWALC Housing Limited where he continues to explore new relationships between Aboriginal employment and housing.