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Our small but dedicated team is committed to elevating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women. In line with our core operating principles, most of our team are Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander women.
Narelle leads the Ember team and oversees Ember Connect’s operations. Reporting to the board, Narelle is responsible for the development and implementation of our organisation’s planning and service delivery as well as key stakeholder management. A former teacher, Narelle was previously general manager of operations at Girls Academy, overseeing the program in 26 schools across WA and NT.
Michelle is a confident and culturally safe communicator and leader. She has extensive experience in community engagement, project management, mentoring and leadership of First Nations women and youth across Western Australia. Michelle has worked with government and not for profit organisations towards the education, health, social and economic advancement of Aboriginal communities, while living and working all over WA and the Northern Territory. Her ability to build, maintain and enhance relationships with stakeholders and community is key to her success. Michelle has a strong sense of community and a passion for connecting people and opportunities. She is related to the Sara and Swan families in the Pilbara, and Howard families in the South West. Her maternal grandparents were both taken away from their families at an early age, and placed at Sister Kate’s Children’s Cottage Home in Perth.
Sarah is an enthusiastic woman belonging to the Wangkatja and Ngadju peoples, deeply connected to Kalgoorlie and the Goldfields region. Throughout her career spanning over 16 years, Sarah has been dedicated to the education sector, specifically working with First Nations female youth. Her unwavering commitment has been to establish an environment that fosters positivity and safety, allowing students to thrive and develop. Over the years, Sarah has amassed extensive expertise in mentoring and providing support to disadvantaged youth, empowering them to become influential leaders and inspiring role models within their families and communities. She is currently a guest living and working on Ngarluma Country in the Pilbara region.
A proud Ngarrindjeri Yandrawandha Mimini living and working on Wadarndi and Pinjareb country.
Leandra is a creative and passionate woman who feels strongly connected to both her Ngarrindjeri and Greek heritage. Over the past 15 years Leandra has worked across Health, Education and Community Services in both regional and remote communities across WA and SA. Throughout her career and educational journey, Leandra has developed her knowledge, skills and competency in trauma informed practice, healing and culturally responsive leadership and practice. Leandra has been fortunate to be raised by strong Ngarrindjeri women who have paved the way to help create opportunities for their families. Leandra is passionate about continuing this legacy throughout her life by helping to create opportunities and space for our future generations.
Warren has more than twenty years’ experience in leadership and consulting roles across the not for profit sector. Warren is supporting the team in the areas of strategy, organisational development, stakeholder management and revenue generation. Warren holds a Masters in Business Administration and was previously Girls Academy’s chief business officer.
Ember Connect wishes to acknowledge the many Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and we honour their deep continuing connection to land, sky, waterways and community.
We pay our respects to our Elders past, present and emerging who illuminate our journey to truth-telling, culture and conservation, which remains stronger than ever.
