Deb is a Jawoyn woman, born and raised in Katherine, Northern Territory. She holds a Bachelor of Business and a Master of Public Health, is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD), and a Fellow of the Australian College of Health Service Management (ACHSM). Deb is a senior executive in the Northern Territory Government, with over 20 years of experience in public administration across both Northern Territory and South Australia. Her work has spanned a broad range of areas including health, housing, and community services, with a strong focus on strategic policy and program implementation and improving service delivery outcomes for communities.

Gaurav Sareen is the Founder and Managing Partner of Genexa Advisory, bringing nearly two decades of experience advising businesses, governments, industry, and regional economies across Australia and Southeast Asia.

A strategic leader with a strong public policy and investment background, Gaurav previously served as the National Leader for Deloitte’s Government Incentives practice in Australia and led Deloitte’s Government and Public Sector business in Northern Australia. Gaurav is widely recognised for his ability to bridge strategy with execution. He has advised on major Government funding and policy programs, infrastructure initiatives, regional economic development strategies, industry growth plans, and investment attraction campaigns – partnering with Federal, State, and Local governments, as well as the private sector.

His leadership style is values-driven, empathetic, and results-oriented – underpinned by a strong belief in building high-performing teams and delivering long-term impact. Gaurav’s deep understanding of economic, financial, political, and community contexts makes him a trusted advisor to clients navigating complex business issues, and policy, investment, and delivery challenges.

He holds degrees in Law and Business Administration from Macquarie University, and is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia.

Gaurav has previously served as the President and Treasurer of YNT until 2024. He is also a Board Member/Director of Y Australia, and Chair of the Y Australia’s Strategic Oversight Committee.

Gaurav also serves on numerous Boards and Advisory Committees, and is passionate about creating a stronger, more prosperous Northern Territory.

Jocelyn Dhu is presently the Deputy CEO for the Drug and Alcohol Services Association (DASA) in Alice Springs and has worked at DASA since 2012. Jocelyn has a strong passion and commitment in striving to reduce the harm caused by Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) misuse in our community. This is reflected through having worked in the AOD Sector for over 25 years in various community roles. Supporting Jocelyn’s experience, are multiple qualifications that include the Dual Diploma of Community Services, in Alcohol and Other Drugs and Mental Health from RMIT University, Diploma in Child Youth and Family Intervention together with the Certificate IV in Training and Assessment (TAE 40110).

Jocelyn was born and raised in Alice Springs, with the family background of an Eastern Arrente woman from Alice Springs on her mother’s side and a Banyijima woman from Western Australia on her father’s side. Jocelyn has worked within the NT Community Corrections as a Probation and Parole Officer and also with the Department of Children and Families as a Team Leader for the Remote Aboriginal Family Community Program. In addition, Jocelyn holds an Executive Director position on the Suicide Story Advisory Group Committee with AMSANT and also on the Central Australian Youth Link-up Service Reference Group. Jocelyn continues to progress her passion within the AOD sector through continuous learning and development activities, together with presenting multiple courses for the community.

Dr Ellin Lede is Chief Development Officer at Tivan Limited (ASX: TVN), a critical minerals company developing a diversified portfolio across Northern Australia and Timor-Leste. She has extensive experience spanning Northern Australia, the United Kingdom (UK), Europe, and Southeast Asia, bridging technical, commercial, and policy domains to deliver complex projects. Previous roles include leading Fortescue Future Industries’ Office of Northern Australia and serving as Policy Director and Senior Adviser to Northern Territory Chief Ministers. Ellin holds a PhD from the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research (UK) and an MSc from Wageningen University (Netherlands), and was born and raised in the Northern Territory.

Nova Peris OAM is a descendant of the Gija people of East Kimberley, the Yawuru people of West Kimberley & the Gagudju people of West Arnhem Land. While Nova’s achievements as an international athlete brought attention to the potential of Aboriginal women, undoubtedly it was her explosive time in Federal Parliament which showcased her desire to improve the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. She has been, and continues to be, a trailblazer for Aboriginal people, as well as an inspiration to mothers and women of all backgrounds. Nova competed at two Olympics, four World Championships, three Champions Trophy’s and the Commonwealth Games. In Atlanta in 1996, Nova became the first Aboriginal person to win an Olympic Gold Medal as part of the world-dominant Hockeyroos; she also became the first mother since Shirley Strickland, in 1956, to claim Olympic Gold for Australia.

Transitioning her hockey career to sprinting, she became a Commonwealth Games Champion in 1998 in the individual 200m and 4x100m relay, making her the only person to win Olympic and Commonwealth Gold in two sports. She remains the only person on the planet to make back to back Olympic Games Finals in different sports at consecutive Olympics! Following a successful athletic career, in 2013, Nova became the first Aboriginal woman elected to the Australian Federal Parliament. During Nova’s senate term of three years, she travelled the length of Australia in her tireless endeavours to champion the causes and struggles facing Aboriginal people throughout the country. Pride in her Aboriginal identity is a vital ingredient in her fight for the rights of all people, Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal alike. She has served in roles that include being an International Indigenous Human Rights Ambassador and also a National Ambassador for Reconciliation Australia. She has actively participated in promotional and advocacy campaigns for domestic violence, youth depression and youth suicide. She was an inaugural Board Member and acted as National Patron for Beyond Blue. Nova has also served as the International Ambassador for the World Health Organisation & Griffith University Youth Suicide Prevention, and as an International Ambassador for Hepatitis Australia. She is the current Ambassador of the Australian Indigenous Education Foundation (AIEF) and the current Patron of the Australian Indigenous Doctors Association (AIDA). Nova has written two autobiographies: Nova — My Story and Nova: Finding My Voice. Nova more recently has had her portrait hung in the Australian Parliament in Canberra, started her own charity, The Nova Peris Foundation, and had her 2.4 metre bronze statue unveiled in Melbourne.

Michelle Mason is a dynamic and versatile leader with a notable career trajectory encompassing aviation, health, and journalism. Her strategic acumen, innovative vision, and compelling leadership have made a significant impact in these diverse domains, positioning her as a trusted industry influencer. She is passionate about sustainability and applies this deep-rooted passion to all areas of her life. This has driven her to steer an organisation that provides positive societal impact. Michelle’s leadership lays the foundation for great governance in the organisations she is involved with. Her strategic decisions, ethical stance, and dedication to transparency and accountability set the tone for responsible and effective governance practices, ensuring long-term success and trust. Michelle’s footprint stands as a testament to the power of purpose-driven leadership and the profound impact it can have on shaping industries and creating a more sustainable future for all.

Sally is a former Administrator of the Northern Territory, and before that was the first woman appointed a Judge of the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory, serving from 1992 to 2009. Sally became our patron when she was Administrator and has remained invested in our work since.