Uncle Ernest Madua is a respected Alngith Elder and community leader from Weipa, Queensland. Deeply rooted in his ancestral lands, he has dedicated his life to preserving cultural heritage, advocating for Indigenous rights, and promoting sustainable development within his community. As a Traditional Owner, Uncle Ernest has been actively involved in initiatives aimed at protecting sacred sites and promoting environmental stewardship. His efforts have been instrumental in fostering a deeper understanding and respect for Indigenous culture and the natural environment. In addition to his cultural advocacy, Uncle Ernest has played a significant role in community development. He has been a strong proponent of economic empowerment, encouraging the establishment of Indigenous-owned businesses and the creation of employment opportunities for local residents. Uncle Ernest's leadership also extends to his involvement in regional governance. He has served on various committees and councils, contributing to policy discussions and decision-making processes that impact the Western Cape York region. Through his unwavering commitment to his people and his land, Uncle Ernest Madua continues to inspire and lead efforts toward a more inclusive and sustainable future for Indigenous communities in Cape York and beyond.

Aunty Melanie Wilson is a respected Peppan Elder from Napranum, a community on the western coast of Cape York Peninsula, Queensland. She has played a pivotal role in preserving and sharing the cultural heritage of her people, particularly in the areas of traditional ecological knowledge and community development. Aunty Melanie has been actively involved in initiatives that promote the understanding and application of Indigenous knowledge systems. Her work focuses on the sustainable management of natural resources, emphasising the importance of maintaining cultural practices that have been passed down through generations. Through her leadership and dedication, Aunty Melanie has contributed to various community projects aimed at enhancing the well-being and empowerment of Indigenous peoples in the region. Her efforts continue to inspire and guide future generations in maintaining a strong connection to their cultural roots and the land.

Mikaela Jade is a proud Cabrogal woman of the Dharug-speaking nation and the founder and CEO of Indigital, a majority Indigenous-owned and managed social enterprise. As a trusted intermediary, Indigital partners with materials companies and communities to create social impact solutions that care for Country, Culture, and Communities. Under Mikaela’s leadership, Indigital has brought together a diverse team of technologists, teachers, innovators, systems thinkers, lawyers, social researchers, biologists, engagement experts, and cultural leaders to drive transformative projects. From digital conservation programs bringing together First Nations communities with mining companies, to hyper-scale data center collaborations, Indigital ensures that corporate-community programs are built on mutual trust, respect, and shared benefits. All work is grounded in Indigenous knowledge and social reciprocity. Mikaela’s work has earned her a place on The Australian’s Top 100 Innovators list, the title of 2021 Indigenous Leader of the Year at the Women in Digital Awards, and recognition as one of the Schwab Foundation’s 2022 Social Innovators of the Year. She holds a Master of Applied Cybernetics from the Australian National University and has deepened her expertise in social entrepreneurship, power, and leadership at Harvard. Mikaela has spoken at the United Nations and the World Economic Forum, advocating for Indigenous voices to shape the future of technology.

Melinda has over a 25-years sustainability experience in global metals and mining sector where she has gained an extensive understanding of current and emerging corporate responsibility risks and opportunities. She commenced with Rio Tinto in April 2021 as Global Head of Communities and Social Performance (CSP), and is currently based in the Brisbane Hub. She leads the CSP Area of Expertise, a high performing team of social science and Indigenous relations experts, responsible for driving strategy, governance, capability, and delivering strong social performance outcomes to strengthen Rio Tinto’s social license. During 2020 she spent a year in Switzerland with Glencore International, however the majority of her career was at BHP, in various social responsibility roles. From early 2016 through to mid-2019, she was based in Brasil, leading BHP’s response to the remediation of social impacts from the Samarco Dam failure. From 2000 – 2016, she led teams to build the social function within BHP, helping to transform its sustainability reputation to a global leadership position. Key responsibilities included development of public targets, standards, programs, internal capacity and partnerships to regain trust and credibility. During this time Melinda also established two corporate charities for BHP – one based in the UK and the other in the US and was a Director of both. She has a degree in Science (biochemistry and physiology) and Education and commenced her career in teaching.