Board of Directors

Karen is a bloodline descendant and a Traditional Owner of Whadjuk Country, within the Noongar Nation.

Karen is the Sole Principal of Indigenous Economic Solutions Pty Ltd, trading as IES Cultural Heritage, IES Enviro Scapes and IES Enviro Clean.

Her primary focus is on developing opportunities and encouraging Aboriginal people’s involvement in planning, enterprise and business activity.

Karen has an extensive background in business management, strategic planning, cultural heritage, Native Title and cultural practices, facilitation and consultation, environmental planning and management, cultural tourism and Aboriginal education.

Karen was a former lecturer at the UWA, School of Social Science in the Foundations to Heritage Management.

Her career has led to the provision of Indigenous Specialist Services, in Native Title legislation, Noongar Land Management, Cultural Responsive Training programs and the integration of cultural heritage in landscapes, design and placemaking, and the go to expert, engaged by design teams for urban design, construction, and infrastructure projects, and Aboriginal procurement.

Karen has undertaken the position of company director for the past 23 years, her board competencies are; public speaking, corporate decision making, probity and procurement, compliance, business management, strategic planning & analysis, financial management, marketing and promotion, engagement and participation of Aboriginal people’s”

Jasmine Kadic is a proud Wadjuk/Ballardong woman from a long line of strong Aboriginal leaders and elders within the Noongar Community. Jasmine has been in Management positions within the Health and Construction Industries with a passion and drive for Aboriginal economic and social development across all major areas including Health, Employment and Education. Jasmine is the Managing Director of Benang a multi-utility infrastructure construction company and its staffing and professional services arm, Ergon.

Jasmine has a passion to help her people and community, not only is she a businesswoman she is a mother of 3 children and believes we are at the forefront to make change for the generations to come.

Jasmine has a real passion to help others and is driven to make changes that will benefit her people and community. Jasmine is a MURRA alumni from Melbourne Business School , the Chair for Noongar Mia Mia, Board member for the Clean energy National Centre of Excellence and board advisor for NATSIHA the National Peak body for Aboriginal and Torres strait islander housing, a member of Australian Institute of Company Directors and winner of the Business News 40 under 40 category winner for Indigenous business.

Gordon Cole is a Noongar leader, award-winning businessman, and visionary change agent driving First Nations economic empowerment through Business, Trade and Investment. He is Founder and Director of Blak Digital and B4.ai, Director at Paradigm Entertainment, Blak Angels Investment Network and Managing Director of Cole SX. As Chair of the Noongar Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Gordon champions innovation, investment, and enterprise. His ventures span various sustainable industries always anchored in First Nations philosophy.

A sought-after speaker and mentor, Gordon’s mission is to create lasting prosperity through equity, opportunity, and cultural strength. He is also a respected thought leader on Indigenous participation in emerging technologies, sustainability, and global business, inspiring communities and corporations to pursue inclusive growth.

Danny Ford OAM is a Noongar with connections to the Wadjuk, Yuet, Ballardong and Wilman clans. He has carved out a successful career as a consultant after almost 30 years in the WA public service. Danny has a Bachelor of Social Work and a Diploma of Teaching and has worked in child protection, family support, housing, mental health and Aboriginal affairs.

His consulting business provides cultural awareness training, indigenous engagement advice and meeting facilitation, among other business services. Danny also sits on the boards of the Clontarf Foundation, Polly Farmer Foundation, ICEA and the Wungening Aboriginal Corporation (formerly known as AADS).

Danny believes the world of business is the last frontier for the Noongar Nation to recover from the impact of dispossession and wants to see Noongar people become “the owners of the means of production.” He envisages the NCCI being the entity that will advocate for a better deal and recognition from the wider business world and be the portal from which Noongar businesses can make their start and grow to be successful.

Sharna is a Noongar woman who is proud to contribute towards a prosperous Aboriginal business sector through her role as Chief Executive Officer at Kooya Australia Fleet Solutions, where a percentage of all profits are invested into the Aboriginal Community through the Bibbulmun Fund, where Sharna is a Board Member.

Kooya Australia Fleet Solutions offers a full range of finance and fleet management services throughout Australia including breakdown service, maintenance management, e-tolling, infringement management, as well as Salary Packaging. Kooya Australia Fleet Solutions are a certified National Supplier of Supply Nation.

Michael Hayden is a Njaki Njaki Noongar man with traditional connections to Wudjak, Yued and Ballardong people and has extensive experience in promoting Aboriginal people’s involvement in business.

Michael has more than 17 years’ professional experience in policy, community, and business development, contract management, native title and strategic engagement with Aboriginal communities. Michael has offered expert advice in a number of professional positions for Noongar organisations. His current positions include Managing Director of Maarli Services, Director of Danjoo Koorliny Labour Services, and Director of Wungening Aboriginal Corporation.

Michael advocates for the support NCCI provides the Noongar business sector and its stakeholders. He sees the NCCI increasing the participation of Noongar businesses in key projects within higher levels of the Western Australian economy.

Michael was recognised for his professionalism, leadership and contribution to Western Australia when awarded the 2004 Western Australian Young Person of the Year and the 2004 National NAIDOC Young Person of the Year.

Oral McGuire is a Noongar leader and landholder who is strongly skilled at cross cultural mentoring and education.

Oral has extensive experience in traditional land and fire management practices, as well as 20 years’ experience running his consulting business. He has worked across government, private enterprise and the not-for-profit sector bridging the divide between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities.

Oral is a prominent leader within the Noongar community and has held a number of current and past roles in Aboriginal organisations. His current roles include chairing Noongar Land Enterprises Incorporated, Yaraguia Enterprises Incorporated and as a member of the Curtin University Aboriginal Advisory Council.

Oral holds a strong personal commitment to the values of integrity, dedication, loyalty and enthusiasm, and presents these values in all of his professional and personal efforts.