Our board

Chair, Kinaway Chamber of Commerce

Yorta Yorta

Karen owns and operates Karen Milward Consultancy Services (since 2004) and has extensive consulting experience in working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

Karen is a Yorta Yorta woman who was born and raised in Melbourne, and is a strong advocate for developing culturally appropriate solutions to the issues confronting Indigenous people that empower individuals and communities so they can confidently and effectively move forward.

Karen has held senior policy and program management positions in Government and has been involved in Aboriginal Affairs all her life and consulting in Aboriginal affairs for 20 years.

Karen has a well developed network within the Victorian Indigenous community as well as within State and Commonwealth Government Departments and agencies in Victoria.

Karen has extensive experience in social research, with expertise in issues concerning Aboriginal communities and organisations, early intervention and prevention, children and young people, health, housing, drug and alcohol, family violence, native title, education, training and employment, cultural heritage, social justice, and Aboriginal cultural competence and responsiveness to government and mainstream services.

Co-Chair, Kinaway Chamber of Commerce

Wiradjuri

As a proud Wiradjuri woman, Denni is passionate about supporting our First Nations communities and individual business owners to build strong and sustainable businesses to increase economic outcomes and Indigenous employment.

As a highly experienced Company Director, Thought Leader and Businesswoman, her mission is simple: help people realise their potential.

As Director, Coach and Facilitator of Qualia Global Learning Network, Denni has worked with senior leaders in government and private enterprise on a national basis for over 25 years. Internationally she has delivered leadership programs in the USA, South Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.

As Founder and Creative Director of Ngali, Denni has contributed significantly to the rise of the Victorian First Nations fashion industry over the past 4 years, having achieved multiple awards in 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024. She is a highly sought after public speaker in the small business and creative industry space and has taken up invitations to present Ngali in Milan, Jakarta and Dubai.

Treasurer, Kinaway Chamber of Commerce

palawa/tommeginne

Trent has over 17 years experience in the business and ICT, working for ten years within the Victorian government, culminating in attainment of the Chief Information Officer (CIO) role at Parks Victoria as the youngest and only Aboriginal CIO in Australia at the time. For the past seven years, Trent has primarily worked as a Principal Consultant for PARIO Solutions Group before establishing his own consultancy MobCo.

Trent draws experience from a diverse career as a chef, Parliamentary Intern, Victorian public servant, Board Director, Consultant, Coach and Mentor, and small business owner/operator.

Trent’s strengths lie in the areas of strategy, governance, enterprise architecture, business analysis, project management and business/technology alignment.

Board Member, Kinaway Chamber of Commerce

Trawlwoolway

David is the Managing Director of Luggarrah, a wholly Aboriginal owned business located in Stawell, Western Victoria. Founded in 2018, Luggarrah, meaning ""play, fun, and diversion"" in his language, embodies these themes by connecting diverse regional youth with the tech industry through innovative events and immersive workshops. His work focuses on upskilling First Nations people, transforming them from consumers to creators and fostering cultural storytelling through video games.

David has significantly contributed to the tech community, including leading the first Indigenous panel at PAX Melbourne in 2019. He was also the first Australian awarded the Jerry Lawson Grant for Career Development by Blacks at Xbox. An upcoming Indigenous entrepreneur, David is renowned both locally and internationally for integrating cultural representation in the gaming industry. His leadership extends to hosting workshops at the Digital Innovation Festival, aiming to enrich the future of Indigenous representation in games.

Board Member, Kinaway Chamber of Commerce

taungurung

Lawrence is a proud Taungurung descendant born on Wamba Wamba country Swan Hill. Lawrence is a qualified Teacher and has undertaken a number of roles across Victorian State government from education, employment, justice, community capacity building, corrections Victoria, land management, Rail Projects Victoria and Victoria Legal Aid.

Lawrence has undertaken CEO roles for Aboriginal Community Controlled organizations and NSW Lands Councils bringing community together for Self Determination and Reconciliation working to Close the Gap. Lawrence has also undertaken the role of Responsible Person for a Registered Aboriginal Party under the Victorian Cultural Heritage Act overseeing many cultural heritage management plans and the protection of cultural values on country.

Lawrence is a business owner in his own right and has a joint venture business in transport and logistics. Lawrence has firsthand experiences and knowledge of the success and failures of Victorian Indigenous Procurement strategies and is actively involved in forums seeking to address the skills shortages across the state with a focus on opportunities for Aboriginal business, Traditional Owners and Aboriginal Community Controlled Organizations. Additional focus areas include Victorian Agriculture, Extractive Minerals and Renewable Energy sectors, particularly equity sharing.

Board Member, Kinaway Chamber of Commerce