Our team

Each member of our team is a thought leader in their own right. We are all experienced in our fields as published writers, journalists, professional speakers and facilitators, and as researchers, strategists, trainers and mentors in national and international contexts.

Project teams are assembled according to the brief and the unique needs of the agencies that engage our services. Our teams are well known for their relationship capabilities, attention to detail, completing tasks on time and in budget, and communicating and exchanging ideas effectively. Each team member has an impeccable track record in their ability to produce quality work.

Want to join our team? Explore our Current Opportunities.

Professor Kerry Arabena

A descendant of the Meriam people from the Torres Strait, Kerry’s work has brought her to the forefront of Indigenous affairs in Australia. A former social worker with a Doctorate in Environmental Science, Kerry has worked in not for profit, community controlled and academic institutions, holding senior positions such as the inaugural Co-Chair of the National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples, Executive Director of Apunipima Cape York Health Council, Chair of Indigenous Health at the University of Melbourne, lead researcher of First 1000 Days Australia, CEO of the Lowitja Institute and Director of Indigenous Health Research at Monash University. Internationally, Kerry was President of Ecohealth International, consulted for the World Health Organisation, was a Scientific Commissioner on the Lancet Pathfinder project and completed a Fellows program with the Rockefeller Foundation in Italy.

With an extensive background in public health, administration, community development and research, Kerry has led a wide range of organisations and committees and consulted across Oceania, Norway and Indonesia.

Currently, Kerry holds honourary professorial positions with the University of Melbourne and Federation University, is an Interim Director of Victoria’s Self-Determination Fund, a Trustee at Arts Centre Melbourne, manages her burgeoning consulting and education and training companies, and has several entrepreneurial programs in development including the most recent launch of her new business, Ilan Style.

David Reid – Senior Consultant Associate

David is a descendent of the Awabakal people from the Lake Macquarie region, and a proud father to two children. He brings his curiosity and passion for First Nations programs and initiatives to the role. As Senior Consultant Associate, he leads day-to-day project management, collection and analysis of data, culturally-safe consultations, and the development of project outputs.

David holds a Bachelor of Arts majoring in History, Literature and Linguistics, and a Post Graduate Diploma of Education. In his fourteen years in the state education system, he held many leadership roles such as Leading Teacher and Pathways Leader, and an important part of the lives of young people from early adolescence to their final years of school.

David is effective at fostering relationships with all key stakeholders and community members through stakeholder engagement and communication skills. He has a strong ability to connect with and mentor people from a myriad of backgrounds, and deep empathy for all walks of life.

He is an avid reader of literature, and enjoys playing guitar, staying active, and exploring nature with his family.

Sharon Pittaway - Senior Consultant Associate

Sharon is a descendant of the Gumbaynggirr and Bundjalung people of north-eastern NSW.  With a wealth of experience as a senior secondary Drama and English teacher, ABC Radio presenter and producer, teacher-educator, researcher, and learning designer, Sharon brings a unique perspective to our team. She holds a Bachelor of Education (Hons) and a PhD in Education. 

Sharon loves learning and exploring different ideas, perspectives and ways of seeing through reading, movies, performance, photography and travel. As a photography enthusiast, she enjoys capturing fine art, flowers, and portraits. On a personal note, Sharon is a proud mother of five adult children and grandmother to 14 grandchildren. 

Lauren Penny – Consultant Associate

Lauren joined the Karabena Consulting team as a Researcher in August 2020. She has experience carrying out research and writing tasks in a wide range of areas through her previous work in both legal and small business settings. She has a strong interest in social justice and human rights issues, including those affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Lauren is currently a Community Education Volunteer for the Australian Red Cross in its 'In Search of Safety' program, and she also volunteers at a local asylum seeker and refugee support group in Brisbane.

Lauren holds a Bachelor of Journalism, a Bachelor of Laws and a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice from Queensland University of Technology.

Chris Holland – Policy Analyst and Consultant

Chris Holland is a human rights lawyer who has worked with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders in policy development for the past two decades. This includes on the framework behind the Close the Gap Campaign for Indigenous Health Equality (2006) while working for the Australian Human Rights Commission, and as the writer, working to the direction and editorial control of Indigenous leaders, of the Australian Government's National Strategic Framework for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ Mental Health and Social and Emotional Wellbeing 2017 - 2023.

Chris has authored or contributed to over 50 publications, including academic papers, on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, housing, the social determinants of health, metagenomics and colonialism. His clients have included the Australian Medical Association, the Royal Commission into Institutional Reponses to Child Sexual Abuse, the Australian Government, the University of Western Australia, NSW Health, and the National Mental Health Commission. He co-authored Reimagining Indigenous Housing, Health and Wealth: The Necessary Ecological Response to Unlock the Potential in the Indigenous Estate (2020) and Connecting to Country: An Australian Indigenous Metagenomics Strategy, Environmental Scan and Research Gap Report (2021) for Karabena Consulting.

Jide Onademuren – Consultant

Jide holds a PhD in Health Services Research & Social Policy from University of Canterbury, Christchurch New Zealand and has extensive experience in designing evidence-based initiatives utilising a variety of quantitative and statistical methods. Jide is also adept in research communication, utilising effective knowledge translation strategies to reach diverse communities.

Jide has previously held the role of Researcher with the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, New Zealand, working on a range of projects, including Ageing-in-Place policy initiatives responding to the cultural needs of ageing Māori people. He has also worked with the Brotherhood of St Laurence and the Australian Red Cross developing funding submissions through evidence synthesis.

Kim Reid - Operations Officer

Kim is a descendant of the Awabakal people of the Newcastle area. She looks after Kerry’s diary as well as ensuring the operations of Karabena Group run smoothly. Kim has more than a decade of administration and support experience mainly across the tourism/hotel sector, where she worked in reservations, sales support and administration at a large hotel chain. She is very keen on upskilling and has recently completed a Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping and is now studying a Diploma of Human Resource Management.

Outside of work, Kim is a mum of a 5-year-old boy and enjoys travel, basketball and netball.

Kate Kloeber - Executive Manager, Digital and Marketing

Kate is the Digital Manager at Karabena who manages all things digital. Kate has almost a decade of experience in digital marketing working across several industries including information technology and services, franchising, consulting and within digital agencies. Kate is skilled and experienced in Digital Marketing Strategy, Account Management, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Lead Generation, Google Products, Social Media, CRM management and Email Marketing. Kate holds a Bachelor's Degree in Business Management and Business Marketing from Monash University.

In her free time you will find Kate in the garden, walking her sausage dog at the beach or in the kitchen baking.

Tess McArthur-Dowty - Digital Marketing Manager

Tess has worked in Digital Marketing for seven years and is passionate about the power of media to impact change. All her work has been politically engaged, and she has been lucky enough to work across the world - from Melbourne to Buenos Aires. She always strives to align her work to her values, having worked across in environmental, LGBTQI+, women’s rights and First Nations rights spaces. Tess holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) from The University of Melbourne and a Master of Film and Television from the Victorian College of The Arts.

Outside of work Tess’ main passion is all things film, whether it’s attending local film festivals or creating her own short documentaries. She also loves learning languages and spending time with her cat.

Peter Jay Imboy - Digital Marketing Coordinator

Jay is a Digital Marketing Coordinator at Karabena Consulting who is responsible for setting up and troubleshooting our backend systems as well as the team's technical support. Jay also edits all our video content, sets up integrations and contributes to graphic designs.

In his free time Jay enjoys the outdoors including bike riding and playing Ultimate Frisbee, he also enjoys attending social events such as sports fests and concerts.

Camille Gonzal - Digital Marketing Coordinator

Camille is a Digital Marketing Coordinator at Karabena who  is responsible for integrations between systems, troubleshooting any technical issues, scheduling social media content, crafting an designing digital collateral (social media posts, worksheets, imagery for online courses, etc), optimizing web and landing pages and any digital marketing related tasks.

In her free time, you will find Camille on her tablet drawing cartoon characters, developing her art style, lying in a swing while listening to music or playing with her niece.