Jesse T Martin

Jesse T Martin is a Wagadagam and Yuin man and founder of the Streets Movement Organisation (TSM) and current National Chair of ATSIIEO an Indigenous international engagement and development organisation. Mr Martin’s work has seen him work from a grassroots level with community driven approaches to social impact across Northern Australia through to work in the international arena with development and community partnerships creation around the world throughout the Asia-Pacific, Middle East, China, U.K, U.S, E.U, Africa, Central and South America including representation at the United Nations. He is a United Nations Fellow with the Office of the High Commission of Human Rights (OHCHR) as well as a published author with Columbia University and the U.N on Indigenous perspectives in economic, social and political development and impact. Mr Martin’s formal University education and background is with Politics, International Relations and History alongside community and cultural education through his respective Indigenous communities. Mr Martin started TSM as a way to give back to his community building the community centre in 2009-2010 and running programs for youth, schools, corrections and the wider community to partake in and build more proactive organic community supports.

Malachi Johnson

Malakai Johnson is of both the Gooreng Gooreng people of Central QLD and of South Sea Island descendant, with his clan of the Port Curtis and Coral Coast region. He has a extensive history in the social impact, environmental protection and land conservation as well as being a former Australian international representative in Boxing. Mr Johnson is also the host of Reef Cast bring to light First Nations stories from across the country on sea country, protection, culture, impact and practice. Mr Johnson utilises his expertise and skills to give back to the local community and support community participation in ensuring ecosystems are placed at the forefront while supporting continued connection to land and sea country, and traditional uses. As an Aboriginal leader Mr Johnson works from the local grassroots level through to the international level where he sits as a current focal point with the Global Indigenous Youth Caucas. As a focal point in the South Pacific Mr Johnson has also been instrumental in the establishment of the South Pacific Indigenous Youth Network (SPIYN) which has fostered Indigenous independent voices to represent their interests on the international level. Mr Johnson as a respected and community based leader has an extensive understanding of systemic and structural inequity and how through international collaboration some of the world’s major climate targets and challenges can be achieved through utilisation of Indigenous knowledge, techniques and leadership in this space.

Sarah Szydzik

Sarah Szydzik is a Yirrigandji woman from Far North Queensland. Having grown up in the Aboriginal community of Yarrabah she has dedicated much of her life towards social justice, criminal justice reform and youth empowerment. Mrs Szydzik has a background in law, business and community development in both public and private sector. Having been a Director for numerous community organisations as well as a CEO for a National Peak body for the government Mrs Szydzik utilises these skills in bringing about opportunity and connection for young people seeking to advance a career in the social, community or economic impact arena. Coupled with this experience Mrs Szydzik is also a creative and has worked for National cultural institutions with her today working in the storytelling and ambassador role for First Nations people as she works with Fashion, storytelling and international cross-cultural connection in building self-determination pathways for Indigenous peoples.

John Brooksbank

Lokes Brooksbank is a Titan descendant of the Mouk people from the Manus Islands, Papua New Guinea. John’s connections run deep across this region. He has a doctorate in governance systems and has worked in supporting TSM programs for over a decade having been at the forefront of the MI-Experience and supporting youth in university pathways. He also works with the Great Barrier Reef Foundation at the forefront of climate change adaptation and biodiversity protection as well as, in various community development and research roles. His work has seen him work across the globe with engagements from the U.K, China through South-East Asia and extensively across the South Pacific. His work across the South Pacific over the past 15 years places him as an invaluable member of the team as he shares his knowledge, experience and impact with the wider community. His work in helping mentor young people to take up education pathways as well as professional mentorship in the corporate and NGO space has seen him change the lives of so many who themselves are now writing their own amazing stories.

Eli Martin

A Wagadagam and Yuin man Eli has Military background with his time in the Australian Army and supporting First Nations engagement and connection during his time here. His work in community support is far reaching with his roles in running community centres, support groups, mental health services, criminal justice reinvestment and youth development impact projects. He plays a invaluable role within how community impact projects are developed and implemented due to his over 10 years of experience in the community development space. As both a veteran, businessman and community development practitioner Mr Martin personifies the essence of what First Nations empowerment and self-determination encompass as he builds a better community around him.