Our Team

Acting CEO

Deadly Ally

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Donald Betts, Jr. served as a U.S. Kansas State Senator, Kansas State Congressman in the Kansas House of Representatives, and prior to moving to Australia, Donald was nominated to represent a major U.S. political party for a bid to the United States Congress. 

 As Managing Principal of Betts Law Company, he has extensive knowledge in dealing with business transactions, organizational structure, legal disputes, advocacy, Indigenous law and an overall view of the Australian Legal System. 

Donald serves on multiple boards and committees.  His strengths are governance, relationship building, and leadership development.  Before joining Kinaway Chamber of Commerce as Acting CEO, he served as CEO of the Wurundjeri Woi-wurung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation, Jaramer Legal (Australia’s first national Indigenous owned law firm) and global #4 law firm Norton Rose Fulbright in Australia.

Donald specializes in commercial transactions, corporate advisory and corporate structuring in the energy and resources and agribusiness sectors. His strengths are economic development, governance, relationship building, and leadership development. He is driven to help Indigenous communities around the globe to be self-governing, independent, and growing.

Donald is an inaugural member of the RMIT Global Indigenous Trade Routes Program, the first graduating class of the AMCHAM Global Leadership Academy, past president, co-founder and Ambassador of the North American Australian Lawyers Alliance (NAALA – based in Melbourne, VIC), founding member and Vice President of the Australian United States Lawyers Alliance Inc. (AUSLA – based in Miami, FL ), founding member of the South Asian Public Affairs Council (SAPAC – based in Melbourne, VIC), Monash Law Clinics – director, founder and Director of Desert Springs Octopus, Director of Akana Ittatoba (Australia’s first privately owned Native American Company), Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Incorporated, and Alpha Nu Boule amongst others.  In addition, he is an U.S. political correspondent on Australian news media outlets, contributing writer for the World Round-up section of the International Law Quarterly magazine and motivational speaker.

Executive Assistant to the CEO

Deadly Ally

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Vera is a proud woman of African descent who has lived in Australia for the past ten years. Born in the US, Vera appreciates the resilience and strength of the global diaspora of Black and Indigenous communities and is proud to be an ally. Having completed an undergraduate degree in Politics and Sociology, Vera is currently studying a Juris Doctor at the University of Melbourne. Vera hopes that obtaining her law degree will provide a new language through which she can advocate for marginalised communities, not based on limitations but on highlighting and nurturing the innate strengths of Black and Indigenous communities around the world.

Vera is thrilled to bring her strong analytical skills, desire to learn, and passion for advocacy to the Kinaway team. In her role as Receptionist and EA she hopes to be a friendly face welcoming you into the opportunity to connect with the broader Kinaway mission and family. Vera has always had a strong interest in community organising and the public sector, and believes economic empowerment is a path to autonomy for all.

Vera looks forward to being your point of contact at Kinaway and wholeheartedly supporting all of our valued members and stakeholders.

HR Manager

Gunditjmara, Muthi Muthi, Wemba Wemba, Yorta Yorta

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Illana is a singer-songwriter who performs around Australia. A strong, proud yet humble Victorian woman from the Gunditjmara (Framlingham), Muthi Muthi (Deniliquin/Balranald), Wemba Wemba (SwanHill) and Yorta Yorta (Wolithica Tribe of Shepparton/Echuca/Moama areas) tribes respectfully recognising all four points of her cultural lineage.

Illana is passionate about her Aboriginal community and Aboriginal self-determination being realised for all our people, locally and nationally. Illana is a leader and asset to the Victorian Aboriginal community.

Chief Financial Officer

Deadly Ally

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Sam brings over 25 years’ successful management, commercial, and financial experience in small, medium, and large organisations. Sam’s experience spans a wide range of businesses and industries, including Coles, Ford, Woolworths as well as international organisations such as the Brandix Group.

A devoted family man, Sam loves spending time with his family. His interests include history, literature, music, sports, movies, driving, and traveling. Sam believes everyone must be given the opportunities & help to succeed and contribute to society, and is passionate about all that Kinaway does to achieve this ideal.

Head of Operations and Partnerships

Deadly Ally

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Fresh from the skies of Victoria, Alex spent his time during Covid-19 achieving his Commercial Pilots License. Prior to flying the skies, he was the National Partnership Manager at The Institute of Managers and Leaders, and the Membership and Business Development Manager at the Cairns Chamber of Commerce.

Alex is looking forward to making a positive impact with our Corporate Partners and connecting some amazing opportunities with our Kinaway members.

Corporate Relationships Manager

Tiwi

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Jake is a proud Aboriginal man who is passionate about working with his mob. He has a strong connection to culture growing up with some amazing role models in his life.

Jake joins Kinaway after spending time with Aboriginal organisations in the Northern Territory and in Far North Queensland.

Jake is looking forward to making a positive impact in his role working with our Corporate Partners and connecting some amazing opportunities with Kinaway members.

Corporate Relationships Manager

Deadly Ally

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Gary is a family man who resides in the South Eastern suburbs of Melbourne. He brings a wealth of experience to Kinaway in regard to relationship management and key stakeholder engagement. A real company man, he does the best he can to achieve the necessary results.

Gary is looking forward to providing major opportunities to our Kinaway members via our corporate partners.

Government Relationships Manager

Noongar

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Kim is a proud Noongar on her father's side who was born and raised in NAARM alongside her mother. She recently became aware of a disconnection from her culture and felt a strong desire to immerse herself in its teachings and share her knowledge within her community. Drawing on her experience in relationship management and customer service, she is grateful for the chance to utilise her skills in her current position at Kinaway, where she contributes to the growth of the Victorian Indigenous Business economy.

In her position as a Government Relationship Manager, she works closely with various Victorian State Government Departments and Agencies to provide guidance throughout their procurement process, in accordance with the Social Procurement Framework. She thoroughly enjoys establishing strong relationships and serving as a valuable asset to multiple stakeholders. Her objective is to foster a sense of trust and create a secure atmosphere for her partners, ultimately facilitating enhanced knowledge, awareness, and engagement.

Projects Manager

Wiradjuri

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Kymbal is a proud Wiradjuri man from Albury, New South Wales, with a deep and solid cultural connection to his family and heritage. Throughout his life, Kymbal has been dedicated to learning and preserving his Indigenous culture, drawing on wisdom and knowledge from the rich connection of his songlines, guidance from respected elders, and fostering strong cultural connections.

Though his roots lie in Albury, Kymbal currently resides on Wurundjeri Country, where he continues to honour and respect the traditions and teachings of the land's original custodians. His commitment to Indigenous culture is not only a personal journey but also a guiding force in his professional life.

Kymbal brings a wealth of experience to the table, with an extensive background in community management. His career has spanned across both government and non-profit organisations, where he has demonstrated an commitment to strengthening and empowering his community.

Kymbal has a passion for collaborating with his community to create wellness, foster growth, and support self-determination. Through his efforts, he seeks to strengthen the bonds within his community, ensuring that Indigenous voices are heard and respected, and that opportunities for progress and self-determination are accessible to all.

Kymbal's professional and personal testament is, enduring power of culture, community, and the pursuit of a brighter future for all.

Events Director

Birri Gubba

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Naomi is a descendant of the Birri - Gubba people in North Queensland, and is currently living in the southern suburbs of Melbourne.

She has worked in the private, community and government sectors (state and federal) and comes to Kinaway with a broad range of experience. She has developed an array of plans and programs that have assisted in the health and wellbeing of local communities.

Memberships Coordinator

Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung

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Georgina is a proud Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung woman working in community to build and strengthen her cultural bonds and knowledge. Georgina draws her inspiration from her connection to her Wurundjeri family and community, especially her grandmother being the oldest Wurundjeri person, Aunty Pat. Georgina wants to follow in her grandmothers footsteps and make a difference in her Indigenous community.

Georgina is dedicated to making a positive impact on all aspects of her role, including growing the Indigenous Memberships at Kinaway and working towards Indigenous businesses thriving and expanding in the community!

Business Engagement Coordinator

Deadly Ally

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Marketing and Communications Manager
Marra & Yanyuwa

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K'Tahni Pridham is a Marra and Yanyuwa woman originally from the Northern Territory, now living, creating and thriving in Naarm. She has a history in Video Production, Graphic Design and Digital Art. K'Tahni is excited to produce exciting new media content for the Kinaway community!

Senior Graphic Designer

Wamba Wamba

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Keagan is a proud Wamba Wamba man from Swan Hill. He grew up in Bendigo and after completing year 12 in 2015, he decided to pursue his passion for art and studied Graphic Design at RMIT University in Melbourne.

Keagan now has his own business creating Aboriginal art and other areas of Graphic Design.

“I am grateful to have had the chance to learn more about Aboriginal businesses and my culture while working and gaining experience in a field I love and am passionate about..”

Admin Assistant

Deadly Ally

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Ethan James is a multi-faceted artist, poet, lyricist, youth advocate & social worker. Of African American, Lebanese Australian descent, Ethan has come up sharing most of his time between the US and Australia.

After spending the last few years playing college basketball in the States, immersed in an environment that forced him to rise through adversity. Ethan began working with his college (Cuyamaca Junior College) as a representative for the Ethnic Student Population for the southern section of California, speaking on panels and attending different events. Before returning to Australia to continue youth advocacy & social work for the African Australian communities, later joining Kinaway as a proud ally.

Being the grandson & cousin of Black Panthers, raised with a strong understanding and connection to his culture. Ethan strives to use art as a form of resistance & liberation for the global diaspora of Black and Indigenous communities.

Admin Assistant

Deadly Ally

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