People
Management Committee
Baringa Barambah Meeanjinu
President
Baringa Barambah Meeanjinu is a proud Turrbal and Gubbi Gubbi woman from Queensland with connections to Wakka Wakka, Kamilaroi and Birri Gubba country. She grew up on Country in Meeanjin (Brisbane) with strong ties to her Turrbal culture. She is currently a Songwoman and Lore-woman in training. As a Chevening and Roberta Sykes Scholar, Baringa completed a Master of Business Administration (MBA) specialising in Culture & Arts Management and Social Innovation at the University of Cambridge. She has worked in a diverse range of finance, strategy and operations roles in NFPs, Corporates and Government to deliver projects across Australia, Europe, Middle East and Africa. Baringa is passionate about working with Aboriginal communities to improve social, cultural and economic outcomes. Baringa currently works as a Senior Manager at PwC’s Indigenous Consulting.
Kulkarawa Barambah Meeanjinu
Vice President
Kulkarawa Barambah Meeanjinu is a Turrbal and Gubbi Gubbi woman with additional bloodline connections to Wakka Wakka, Kamilaroi and Birri Gubba Country. She was named after her great, great, great grandmother who was the daughter of Daki Yakka (Chief of the Brisbane Tribe during the first half of the 19th century). Kulkarawa was born in Barrambin (York’s Hollow/Victoria Park) on the lands of the Daki Yakka clan (sub-group of the Turrbal Tribe). She grew up on her ancestral homelands of Meeanjin (Brisbane) learning the traditional laws and customs from her elders. Kulkarawa currently works as a Consultant at EY.
Refiti Tovi
Company Secretary
Refiti Tovi was born in Carlton, Melbourne. She is Turrbal, Gubbi Gubbi and Wakka Wakka on her mother’s side and Samoan on her father’s side. Refiti works in the Early Childhood Education Industry where she has worked in Co-Educator, Lead Educator and Responsible Person roles within various centres in Central Queensland and South-East Queensland. She is in her eighth year in the industry and loves it. Refiti’s passions in life are her culture, family, and community. She is also passionate about nature and sport.
Julien Taylor
Treasurer
Julien Taylor started his career in investment banking in Brussels and New York. He then joined Proparco, a development finance institution where he carried out and exited impact investments in Southern Africa. A firm believer of the positive changes that education can foster, he went on to lead the growth of Enko, an innovative education start-up developing a pan-African network of affordable schools. Julien then joined Antler where he was responsible for the end-to-end design and execution of the start-up generator program, access to deal flow, and the successful development of founder cohorts based out of Amsterdam. Julien currently leads international expansion at Go1, the largest curated e-learning library that's delivered by the best learning providers in the most engaging formats to fulfil the needs and skill-gaps of every learner. In a different capacity, he acts as Chief of Staff to the Chief Commercial Officer and spearheads strategic initiatives.
Cultural Advisors
Maroochy Barambah
Elder and Songwoman
Maroochy Barambah is an Aboriginal Elder from Brisbane. She is of Turrbal and Gubbi Gubbi ancestry with additional bloodline connections to Wakka Wakka, Kamilaroi and Birri Gubba Country. Maroochy was born on Cherbourg Aboriginal Reserve in South East Queensland. She is the Songwoman and Lore-woman of the Turrbal Tribe. Maroochy has received many awards, both in Australia and overseas. She hopes to continue working in the area of the performing arts, while at the same time engendering a better understanding of Aboriginal culture.
Arthur Isaacs
Elder
Arthur Isaacs is an Aboriginal Elder from Brisbane. He is of Turrbal ancestry with additional bloodline connections to Gubbi Gubbi, Wakka Wakka, and Kamilaroi. Arthur was born on Cherbourg Aboriginal Reserve in South East Queensland. He is a qualified carpenter and avid rugby player and swimmer.
Kathryn Fisher
Elder
Kathryn Fisher (Aunty Kathy) is a Aboriginal elder who was born on and grew up on Cherbourg Aboriginal Reserve. She now lives in Brisbane where she is linked to the Turrbal People through kinship ties. She has a strong spiritual connection to her people, the land, and traditions.