Aboriginal (Dunghutti) / England / Germany / Ireland / Scotland

Blak Douglas was born Adam Douglas Hill in Blacktown, Western Sydney in 1970, to his Aboriginal father and his Caucasian mother. He was originally trained in illustration and photography, however, became a self-practicing artist in the medium of painting. His work is graphically stylised, and best surmised in his words, they are “devoutly politicised in relation to social justice’. His works are profoundly bold and focus on what it means to be an Aboriginal person in the 21^st century. In addition to his art practice, Douglas is also a classically trained Yidaki (Didgeridoo) player, and has performed extensively at various festivals, opening ceremonies, and other events.

Douglas has exhibited in numerous solo and group exhibitions both domestically and abroad. In 2019, Douglas won the prestigious Newcastle Art Gallery ‘Kilgour Prize’. Also in 2019, he was finalist in the Archibald Prize, the Blacktown Art Prize, The Kings School Art Prize, the Muswellbrook and the Paddington art prizes.

Douglas’ works are held in the collections of the National Gallery of Australia, Canberra; National Museum of Australia, Canberra; National Maritime Museum, Sydney; Town Hall Collection, Sydney; The Art Gallery of NSW, Taipei Museum; AAMU, Utrecht; and regional Sydney Councils including Blacktown, Liverpool, and Campbelltown.

Brooke is a proud Gamilaroi woman from central north-west NSW. She grew up in Wonnaruah country in the New South Wales Hunter Valley with her five younger siblings and mother. After studying journalism at UTS, Brooke worked as a TV, radio, and online journalist for SBS, NITV and the ABC.  Brook was Triple J’s popular breakfast show newsreader until the start of 2019 when she joined Nine’s TODAY show team as Entertainment Reporter.

Brooke has also worked with AIME, GO's Ecosystem partner, which seeks to improve education and employment outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Brooke has been a long-time supporter of the GO Foundation and we are thrilled to have her on board in an official capacity.

Anita is a proud member of the Wiradjuri nation of central New South Wales, but was born in Gadigal country and has spent much of her life on Dharawal land near La Perouse. She is one of Australia’s most prolific and well-known authors publishing across genres including non-fiction, historical fiction, commercial fiction, and children’s novels.

To show her love of our Co-Founders, and to prove that you can marry literature and sport, Anita co-wrote Kicking Goals with Goodesy and Magic. She also wrote two kids’ novels with students from La Perouse Public School - Yirra and her deadly dog Demon and Demon Guards the School Yard.

Anita’s other published works include the historical novel Who Am I? The Diary of Mary Talence, Sydney 1937, non-fiction text Dhuuluu-Yala (To Talk Straight) – Publishing Aboriginal Literature, and The Macquarie PEN Anthology of Aboriginal Literature which she co-authored with Peter Minter.

Her adult fiction includes Not Meeting Mr Right, Avoiding Mr Right, Manhattan Dreaming and Paris Dreaming. Her most recent books include Harry’s Secret Matty’s Comeback, and Barbed Wire and Cherry Blossoms which was shortlisted for the QLD Literary Awards and longlisted for the Dublin International Literary Prize.

In 2004, Anita was listed in The Bulletin magazine’s “Smart 100”. Her memoir Am I Black Enough for You?  was a finalist in the 2012 Human Rights Awards and she was a finalist in the 2013 Australian of the Year Awards (Local Hero).

As an advocate for Indigenous literacy, Anita has worked in remote communities as a role model and encouraging young Indigenous Australians to write their own stories. On an international level she has performed her own work and lectured on Aboriginal literature across the globe at universities and conferences, consulates and embassies in the USA, Canada, the UK, Tahiti, Fiji, New Caledonia, Spain, Japan, Austria, Germany and New Zealand.

Anita is a Lifetime Ambassador for the Indigenous Literacy Foundation, and a proud Ambassador of Worawa Aboriginal College and the Sydney Swans.

She is on the Board of the State Library of Queensland, is a Professor of Communications at the University of Queensland and lives in Brisbane.

Anita’s website: www.anitaheiss.com.au

Photo by Helen Kassila

Born 1983 in Fitzroy, Melbourne, to an Irish father and Aboriginal mother, Dan Sultan was raised in Melbourne. His mother, Roslyn Sultan, got her name from the Afghan camel drivers of Australia's central desert a century ago, and her Aboriginal heritage has its genesis in the eastern Aranda and Gurindji clans of central Australia.

Growing up in Fitzroy with a few years in Cairns as a teenager, Dan was often one of a few Indigenous students at his schools. Despite getting a hard time from kids all his life, he was always "proud to be a blackfella...it makes you strong, it makes you smart.” 

Dan was exposed to music while living in remote Yundemu, 300 kilometers north-west of Alice Springs in the Tanami desert - Warlpiri country, where his Irish father was working for the Aboriginal Legal Service.  One of his earliest memories is as a three-year-old, sitting around a fire in Yundemu with 60 to 70 Warlpiri elders and watching everyone dancing and singing. "I remember sitting next to one elder and he handed me some clap sticks and everyone encouraged me to get up and dance. When I came back to Melbourne I used to put on little shows at my school, pretending to play the didgeridoo. I really enjoy performing and I have ever since that dancing circle in the Tanami Desert,” says Dan.

Back in Melbourne, he recalls being taken by his mum to her friends' rockabilly band that used to play at Fitzroy's infamous Black Cat café. Infused with indigenous sounds of central Australia and surrounded by Melbourne's soul and rock and roll, Dan began writing songs at ten years of age.

Since then, Dan’s electric roots rock sound has won him fans across the country.  Working with guitarist and collaborator Scott Wilson, he released his debut album, Homemade Biscuits in 2006.  His second album Get Out While You Can was released in 2009 and made it to number one on Australia’s independent album chart.  Dan and his band went on to play most of the country’s prominent musical festivals.  That same year, he made his acting debut in the film adaptation of the musical Bran Nue Dae. In 2010, he was the recipient of two ARIA awards for Best Blues and Roots Album and Best Male Artist.  For his third album, he and his band travelled to Nashville to record with producer Jacquire King (Kings of Leon, Tom Waits).  The album Blackbird was released in the summer of 2014, reaching #4 on the Australian charts and then going gold.  For his fourth LP, Killer, in 2017, Dan moved into more of hard-hitting pop and neo-soul direction and was nominated for three ARIA awards.  Dan has since released his debut children’s music album Nali & Friends, named Best Children’s Album at the ARIA Music Awards of 2019.

View Dan's Website here.

Sonja is a proud Yuin woman, who has spent most of her life on Eora land.  She brings to the GO Foundation Board her wealth of experience having has been involved in government, academic and not-for-profit boards for over 20 years. 

Sonja has extensive senior experience across State and Commonwealth governments.  She was a Deputy Secretary within the NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet.  Before joining the Department, Sonja was a Deputy Commissioner of the NSW Public Service Commission, focussed on improving workforce performance across the NSW Public Sector.  She recently held the position of interim Chief Executive Officer and Director of Arrilla Consulting – a joint venture with KPMG.

Sonja has a Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Laws from the University of New South Wales and the University of Alberta, Canada.  She is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Sonja was appointed Chair of the GO Foundation Board in August 2020 and has been a Non-Executive Director since October 2018.

Michael was born in South Australia and is a proud Kaurna / Ngarrindjeri / Narungga man.  Since retiring from his highly decorated career at the Sydney Swans, which included being a dual All-Australian team member and a member of the AFL’s Indigenous Team of the Century, Michael has been Head Coach of the AIS-AFL Academy, coached the Indigenous All-Stars team that toured Ireland in 2013, and was Head Coach of the QBE Sydney Swans Academy.

Michael brings to his roles at the GO Foundation many years’ experience as a Director on the Board of the National Aboriginal Sporting Chance Academy.  Michael has worked in numerous community-based programs over the past 20 years, including the Sydney Swans on their Healthy Choices Schools Program, and Books in Homes.  Michael has been an Ambassador for both the Indigenous Literacy and Numeracy Programme, and the AFL Indigenous Academy. In 2009 the AFL Players’ Association awarded Michael the prestigious Madden Medal, which recognises on- and off-field excellence and community spirit.

Michael is the Managing Director and Owner of ARA Indigenous Services. He is also a Director of Enable Consulting Services, a company that aims to drive economic empowerment and participation for Indigenous Australians that he started with GO Co-Founder, James Gallichan.

Michael has been a Non-Executive Director of the GO Foundation since September 2009.

Ken is an independent board director, chairman and board advisor.  Ken has previously been Chairperson of the Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust, RedBalloon and Regnan, and has contributed to over 20 boards across 11 industry sectors.  Ken is also a tier one coach and mentor, and participant in various causes promoting aspects of fairness and sustainability. 

In his executive career, Ken was Managing Director of Tourism Australia and Goodman Fielder Asia (based in Singapore).  He also held Divisional Head roles for listed Australian companies in the wine, food and building materials industries.   Ken has master's degrees in Agricultural Science and Business Administration and has been a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors since 1996.

Ken is Chairperson of Appellon, and a Non-Executive Director of Timberlink Australia and Australian Bauxite Limited.  He also sits on the Advisory Board of the Westmead Institute for Medical Research Foundation.

Ken joined the GO Foundation Board as Non-Executive Director in February 2013.

James has spent more than two decades working in the information technology sector in Australia and overseas in Europe and the Asia Pacific region, including with IBM. He has worked with Indigenous organisations, both in the philanthropic and private sector, for more than a decade including MessageStick and ARA Indigenous Services.      

James is currently the Asia Pacific Vice President of the Business Services Group at Capgemini.  He is also the Director of Enable Consulting Services, a company that he started with Michael O’Loughlin, which aims to drive economic empowerment and participation for Indigenous Australians.

James has been a Non-Executive Director of the GO Foundation since September 2009.

Adam was born in South Australia, a proud Andyamathanha/Narungga man. He moved to Victoria as young boy and developed a passion for Australian Rules Football. After he was drafted by the Sydney Swans from the North Ballarat U18s, Adam had an AFL career spanning over seventeen seasons, retiring in September 2015. Adam had a highly decorated AFL career including being awarded the prestigious Rising Star medal and twice receiving the Brownlow Medal.

Adam has been a member of the National Indigenous Council (an advisory body to the Federal Government on Indigenous affairs), and Supply Nation (a government-funded body aimed at growing the Indigenous business sector through the promotion of supplier diversity in Australia). In 2014, Adam was named Australian of the Year in recognition of his community work aimed at empowering the next generation of Indigenous role models as well as his advocacy in the fight against racism. 

Adam is a director of the Australian Literacy and Numeracy Foundation and STAND (Support Through Australian Natural Disasters), a co-venture between Woolworths and the Salvation Army.  He is also the CEO and Co-Founder of the Indigenous Defence & Infrastructure Consortium (iDiC), an organisation that aims to increase the participation of Indigenous companies in long term nation building projects.

Adam is also an Ambassador for the ‘Racism. It Stops With Me’ campaign, and for a brands including Toyota, David Jones, Qantas and Woolworths.

Adam has been a Non-Executive Director of the GO Foundation since September 2009.

Holly is a non-executive director on the Boards of Woolworths, Fonterra Co-Operative Group Ltd and Chair of Lendi, a leading home loan platform business.  She also sits on the Board of Trustees for Western Sydney University.

In her executive career, Holly was the CEO of apparel retailer Best & Less, where she was responsible for transforming the business and returning it to growth and profitability.  In that role, she was responsible for approximately 200 stores and 4300 employees across Australia. Prior to Best & Less, she was an executive at Pacific Brands, running the Workwear and Homewares Divisions, and Telstra, where she held the roles of Group Managing Director- Product Management and Chief of Marketing. Holly’s prior roles include Deputy Chair of Australia Post and non-executive Director of Nine Group and AMP. Holly is a member of Chief Executive Women. 

Holly has a BA with Honours in Economics and Political Science from Yale University and an MBA from Georgetown University.

Holly joined the GO Foundation Board as a Non-Executive Director in February 2017.

Sam is the previous Chair of the GO Foundation, and she is a widely sought after non-executive director and sustainability adviser. Alongside her business career, Sam has served on numerous civil society boards.  She was President of the Australian Council for International Development, served on the Boards of Reconciliation Australia and the National Mental Health Commission, and was Deputy Chair of the Diversity Council of Australia.  She was the first woman appointed to the AFL Commission in 2005 where she served for over a decade.  In that capacity, she was involved in the Respect and Responsibility Policy, served on the Indigenous Advisory Committee and helped introduce AFLW.

Sam is Chairperson of Citibank Australia, the Foundation for Young Australians, ANROWS, the Australian Women Donors Network, AUSFILM and Alberts.  She serves as a non-executive director on the boards of Transurban Group and Mirvac Group as well as the Sydney Swans, the Climate Council, the Centre for Policy Development and ClimateWorks.  Sam also serves on the Australian Faculty of the Cambridge University Program for Sustainability Leadership, Chief Executive Women and the Business & Sustainable Development Commission.  

Sam spent several years on the boards of the NSW Public Education Foundation, Carriageworks, the Global Business & Sustainable Development Commission, the Australian Museum and Sydney Theatre Company.  Trained as a lawyer, Sam worked as a solicitor before becoming a senior policy advisor in the Federal Government including as Communications Policy Advisor to then Prime Minister Paul Keating.  In her corporate life, Sam served as a senior executive with Insurance Australia Group, Optus Communications and Cable & Wireless PLC.  Her previous corporate board roles include Virgin Australia and Cover-More. She has also previously held senior executive roles at Insurance Australia Group, Optus Communications and Cable & Wireless plc.

Sam has a Bachelor of Arts/Laws from the Australian National University.

Sam joined the GO Foundation Board in February 2013.

Shirley started her career as a lawyer at the New York law firm, Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton.  Upon completing the New York Bar exam, Shirley worked across Asia both for Cleary and as Regional Counsel for JP Morgan Investment Management.

After almost 8 years in Japan, Shirley’s career took a different turn when she moved back to Australia and worked for a number of community initiatives including the Cerebral Palsy Alliance, Queenwood School and the Law Society of NSW. 

After writing a biography for a World War 2 prisoner-of-war, Shirley returned to banking and finance joining the legal team at BT Financial Group and Westpac Banking Corporation and volunteering for the Westpac Foundation.  Prior to joining the GO Foundation, Shirley was Counsel in the Treasury team at Westpac.

Shirley believes fiercely in the power of diversity and inclusion and is an advocate for increasing diversity amongst corporate and not-for-profit boards and senior management both in Australia and more broadly.

Shirley lives in Sydney with her husband of 22 years, Ian, and their three children, Sabrina, Max and Kian.

Mark is Wirajudri man, born and raised in Gadigal land in Sydney. Mark has 17 years’ experience working in education as a teacher, Year Coordinator, Curriculum Coordinator and Director of Teaching and Learning. He holds an undergrad in Human Movement and Health Education and a Master’s in Educational Leadership.

Mark is passionate about education and physical activity for young people; a perfect fit for his role at the GO Foundation. Mark is strong on giving the pastoral care and support needed to engage GO students in their learning and in their identity.

Mark continues to be an active member of his community notably through Surf Life Saving, Touch Football and Athletics. Mark strives to support GO students in continuing to raise their aspirations in school and life.

Evelyn has over 20 years’ experience working in finance roles for organisations ranging from boutique fund managers to ASX listed companies such as Westfield and Macquarie Bank.  She has been involved across a wide variety of functions including corporate strategy and planning, finance, tax, human resources, company secretariat, and legal and compliance.

Evelyn comes to GO with a passion for helping ensure everyone has access to high quality education.  She's also trying to do her bit to leave the planet in the best condition possible for future generations.

She lives in Sydney with her husband and two daughters, and André her beloved rescue dog.

Alex grew up on a farm near Yass and began her career as a reporter in the local TV station, Capital 7, in Canberra.  From there she went to Channel 9, and 60 Minutes where she worked her way up from a Junior Producer to Chief of Staff over the next 17 years.   

Alex’s job took her everywhere, and the people she met shaped her passion for social justice and education. She went on to develop and executive produce observational documentary series including Young Doctors, Beyond the Darklands, Pride of Australia with Sarah Murdoch, and the ABC documentary series, Ice Wars.

She went back on the road for four years with the Sunday Night program before leaving to start Belladonna Media. Mother of Charlotte, grandmother of Olympia, and Aunty to many, Alex brings to the GO family her drive to better Australian Indigenous children’s access to education.

Ashlie Rogers is a proud Jaru woman from the Kimberley region in WA. She was born and raised on Dharawal land in the Wollondilly Shire.

Developing strong relationships and working in community is the foundation of everything she does, both professionally and personally. Ashlie has been working in community in a range of identified roles for the past 9 years including youth worker, family support worker, intensive family support worker and OOHC Case Manager/cultural support planner. She has completed training to be able to support families and carers in Therapeutic Crisis Intervention with children and young people.

Ashlie is passionate about working with our youth and seeing better outcomes for our kids through education and connection to culture and family. It’s the path that led her to GO and her role to liaise with schools, students and education partners, working towards growing GO’s scholarships program into new schools and areas.

Ashlie enjoys spending her weekends keeping active with her family and kids.

Celine grew up in France before coming to Australia in 2011 on a working holiday - and never left.  She is a qualified teacher, and taught English as a Second Language in various schools around Sydney before joining the Student Services team at Navitas English.

Celine then chose to pursue a career in administration and studied Business Administration at TAFE.  For the next few years she worked as an executive assistant for media and waste management companies. In 2019, Celine joined the team at GO having decided to go back to what’s close to her heart: Education and helping students reach their goals.

Scott has been a part of the Sydney Swans Human Resources team since 2011.  His portfolio includes responsibility for their Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) and Diversity Action Plan (DAP) which serve as the major strategic documents underpinning the Sydney Swans’ community initiatives. Passionate about the importance of education in achieving reconciliation, Scott has been a strong advocate of the partnership between the GO Foundation and the Sydney Swans.

Peter Meurer is one of Australia’s most experienced and respected bankers bringing over 35 years of experience to GO. He was the Inaugural Chairperson of the GO Foundation Board of Directors from 2013 to 2018 and was instrumental in the GO Foundation’s growth in revenue and scholarships. Under Peter’s tenure as Chair, the GO Foundation launched its scholarship program and expanded from independent schools into public schools. Peter made an enduring and vital contribution to the GO Foundation during his time as Chair and is at the forefront of those responsible for GO’s sustainability and growth. Peter remains an important member of the GO team as Chair of the Investment Committee and a member of the Capital Campaign Committee.

Peter has previously been the Executive Chairman at Nomura Investment Bank in Australia, Vice Chairman and Managing Director of Corporate Broking at Merrill Lynch, Vice Chairman of Citi Group and prior to that Vice Chairman of McIntosh/Baring Securities. He was also a senior partner at Potter Partners and Potter Warburg.

Peter also currently sits on the investment committee for the Foundation for Young Australians and is the Chairman of Ignition Wealth Pty Limited. He is a Foundation Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Daniel Middleton-Clifford joined the GO Foundation in its early days in 2010 and was a key member of the initial team.

Daniel held several positions including that of General Manager before stepping down from his position as Adviser to the Board in 2016. During his time at GO Daniel was integral in restructuring the organisation’s operations, including driving its focus on education and setting up its scholarships program.

Daniel has over 10 years' experience in investment banking, private equity, strategic projects and not-for-profit, having worked at firms such as Transocean Group and Macquarie Group.

He is currently employed at the Western Bulldogs in Melbourne as Head of Special Projects.

Kylie Brown is a partner at the international law firm of Allens Linklaters and recently stepped down from the GO Board of Directors. Kylie tirelessly worked for the GO Foundation, not only as a board member but also as counsel to the board and as a friend to Adam and Michael. She has been a close confidant and has been integral in getting the GO Foundation to where it is today.

Kylie is a corporate lawyer with over 20 years of experience in Australia and the United Kingdom. Kylie specialises in mergers and acquisitions and corporate law and has advised in relation to numerous high-profile corporate matters. Kylie has been involved in pro bono work for various Indigenous and community organisations.