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Our People

Giving Aboriginal people the chance to drive Aboriginal solutions and investment.

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The AbSec Board and team members are a diverse group of people, united by our shared commitment to building a brighter future for Aboriginal children, young people, families and communities. Our vision is that all Aboriginal children and young people are looked after in safe, thriving Aboriginal families and communities, raised strong in spirit and identity, with every opportunity for lifelong wellbeing and connection to culture, and surrounded by holistic supports. 

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Board of Directors

Our team is governed by a Board of Directors, responsible for determining strategy and overseeing the implementation of our strategic directions. Comprised of representatives from Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) across New South Wales, our board includes organisational members of AbSec, ensuring a diverse and representative governance structure.

AbSec operates under the guidance of a dedicated Aboriginal governing board, led by an Aboriginal Chief Executive Officer. This structure includes both representatives of Aboriginal organisations and Aboriginal individuals, reflecting our commitment to inclusive and culturally-informed leadership.

John Leha

Chief Executive Officer

Petrice Manton

Chair

CEO, Muloobinba Aboriginal Corporation

Jai Kilroy

Vice Chair

CEO, Wandiyali

Dana Clarke

Director

Retired CEO, Burrun Dalai Aboriginal Corporation

Wendy Knight

Director

Executive Director, Life Without Barriers

Mykol Paulson

Director

CEO, Burrun Dalai Aboriginal Corporation

Tina McGhie

Director

CEO, Curijo

Casey Coss

Director

Manager Operations, Permanency Support Program, Eleanor Duncan Aboriginal Services

AbSec leadership

Alira Tufui

Director, Sector Operations

Sally Cowling

Director, Policy and Advocacy

Isabel Borg

Director, Corporate Services

Gillian Brannigan

Project Manager, Guardianship Commissioning

Lakin Orcher

Project Manager, Carer Support

Penny Magann-Jones

Project Manager, Strong Families, Our Way

Shantelle Common

Project Manager, Aboriginal-led Commissioning

Diane Potter

Manager, Learning and Development Centre

Carina Stokes

Manager, Communications and Memberships

Ariane Dol

Manager, People and Culture

Dakota Torrens

Office Manager

Contact our team

We value open communication and are here to support you. Whether you have questions about our services, need advice, or want to get involved, please feel free to reach out to us.

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John Leha

Chief Executive Officer, AbSec

A proud Birri Gubba, Wakka Wakka, and Tongan man, John was born and raised on Gadigal land. John has served as AbSec’s CEO since March 2021 and is a board member of SNAICC.

John was formerly Director of Operations at the National Centre of Indigenous Excellence, Chair of Gadigal Information Service, and a founding member and Chair of BlaQ Aboriginal Corporation. An active member of the Sydney Aboriginal community, John has extensive experience in Indigenous health, education, and employment programs. 

Petrice Manton

Chief Executive Officer, Muloobinba Aboriginal Corporation

A proud Aboriginal woman from the Gamipingal clan of the Worimi Nation, Petrice is passionate about advocating for Aboriginal families and making sure our people get a fair go. Petrice is committed to establishing culturally embedded, holistic Aboriginal services to support Aboriginal children and families to flourish, delivered by Aboriginal organisations that are accountable to our communities.

Jai Kilroy

Chief Executive Officer, Wandiyali

Jai is a proud Aboriginal man born, raised and living on Awabakal country. Jai is a founding member of Wandiyali and has had a varying career in community organisations, hospitality, establishing successful businesses and more.

Jai is passionate about supporting his community to achieve self-determination through empowerment, enabling individuals, families and communities to take control of their own futures, preserve their cultural heritage, and create sustainable, community-driven solutions for social, economic, and political challenges.

Dana Clarke

Retired CEO, Burrun Dalai Aboriginal Corporation

Dana is a proud Biripi and Worimi woman. Dana has been an active member on the board since 2005, contributing to our communities through a range of roles in Aboriginal health, child protection, sexual assault and mental health for over 35 years. Dana is committed to ensuring our communities are best supported to guarantee that our kids remain with family, rich in their culture and belonging. To Dana, “family is everything; it is our past and our future”.

Wendy Knight

Executive Director, Life Without Barriers

Wendy is a proud Barkindji woman from Gamilaroi Country with an unwavering commitment to Aboriginal families and communities – ensuring the promotion of First Nations voices on issues affecting our children and families in today’s society.

Wendy is an accomplished Senior Executive with over 25 years’ experience in the social service sector, and is results and outcomes driven having extensive experience in child protection, out-of-home care, and contract
management in both government and nongovernment roles.

Mykol Paulson

Chief Executive Officer, Burrun Dalai Aboriginal Corporation

Mykol is a proud Worimi and Bunjalung man, born and raised on Biripi country. As CEO of Burrun Dalai Aboriginal Corporation, he leads a dedicated team across Kempsey, Taree, and Tamworth, ensuring the well-being of children and young people in care remains at the heart of the agency’s work across New England and Mid North Coast regions.

With a background in child care and transitioning to out-of-home care in
2012, Mykol rose through the ranks to CEO in 2024, and is deeply committed to making a positive impact on children, families, and communities.

Tina McGhie

Chief Executive Officer, Curijo

Tina is a proud Wiradjuri and Ngunnawal woman born and raised on Dharawal Country, with extensive management in the business, employment, social and community services sectors. Tina is well known for her leadership skills and is an experienced manager and board member at local and state levels.

Tina has worked with State and Federal Governments and comprehensively understands government operations, policies and practices. She has worked at a state level with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, families and communities in service delivery, community and organisational development and at a national level with the Human Rights Commission as a key representative to guide the development of a national Indigenous representative body. 

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About Us

AbSec is the peak organisation advocating for the rights and well-being of Aboriginal children, young people, and families in NSW.

Learn more about AbSec, our mission, and our commitment to supporting Aboriginal children, families, and communities through advocacy, capacity building, and sector leadership.

Who We Are
Our Sector
Our People
Our Members
Our Strategic Plan
Our Governance

Strengthening Our Sector

Building a resilient and effective sector that can better support Aboriginal children, young people, families, and communities.

Our initiatives and programs are designed to enhance the capacity and capability of Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations and NGOs.

Quarterly Sector Forums
Deadly Practice
Learning & Development Centre
Know Your Rights
Campaigns We Support
Social Sector Transformation Fund
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principle

Our Voice

This section offers insights into the key policies and initiatives we champion, representing our commitment to advocating for the rights and well-being of Aboriginal children, young people, families, and communities.

Aboriginal Case Management Policy
Family is Culture
Aboriginal Guardianship Support Model
News & Media
Reports & Publications
Adoption Is Not An Option
Out-of-home Care & Child Removals

Closing the Gap

AbSec is dedicated to closing the gap in health, education, and wellbeing for Aboriginal children and families.

Explore the various initiatives and programs we support to drive systemic change and improve outcomes for our communities.

Aboriginal-led Commissioning
Strong Families, Our Way

Get Involved

Discover how you can make a difference with AbSec.

From donating to becoming a carer, there are numerous ways to support our vision and help Aboriginal children, young people, families, and communities thrive.  

Donate
Events
Contact Us
Become a Carer
Become a Member
Work With Us
Partner With Us

AbSec would like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land in which we work and pay respect to Elders past, present and emerging. AbSec acknowledges the Stolen Generations who never came home.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are warned that this website may contain images of deceased people.