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.

• Defining clear goals and strategic visions and blueprints for action

• Clarifying priorities and identifying impact

• Developing training programs and creating resources

• Delivering professional development courses

• Writing policy briefs, reports, frameworks and summaries of group processes

• Undertaking project evaluations and reviews

• Communicating findings to community audiences

• Getting the right people involved, at the right time

• Empowering people involved in our work to make decisions and be self-managing

• Using graphic design to accentuate key outcomes of our projects

• Working with both our clients and the beneficiaries of projects in which we are involved to achieve their goals and excel

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 held senior positions including Chair of Indigenous Health at the University of Melbourne, Executive Director of First 1000 Days Australia, CEO of the Lowitja Institute and Director of Indigenous Health Research at Monash University. Internationally, Kerry has held senior positions with Ecohealth International, consulted for the World Health Organisation, is a current Scientific Commissioner on the Lancet Pathfinder project and completed a Fellows program with the Rockefeller Foundation.

With an extensive background in public health, administration, community development and research, Kerry has led a wide range of organisations and committees. Currently a Director of Kinaway Chamber of Commerce and IgNITE, Kerry holds an honorary professorial position with the University of Melbourne, manages her burgeoning consulting, publishing and coaching companies and has several entrepreneurial programs in development.

Kate Kloeber – Digital Manager

Kate manages all things digital at Karabena Consulting. With almost a decade of experience in digital marketing, she has worked 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.

Emma Somerville – Operations Manager

Emma, as the Operations Manager at Karabena Consulting,  is responsible for the overview and project management of all our research projects. With more than a decade of experience in project management, qualitative research, research design and data analysis, she has previously managed a number of projects in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health research and the workforce development program at the Lowitja Institute (National Institute for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Research). Emma’s wide experience includes cultural heritage protection, dispute resolution, and research towards native title claims in Victoria and the Northern Territory. She has managed and led a number of large-scale research projects in Central Australia in response to mining and other developments on Aboriginal land, while working as an anthropologist at the Central Land Council.

Emma holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Counselling from Monash University, and a Master of Applied Anthropology and Participatory Development (Indigenous Policy) from the Australian National University.

Lauren Penny – Researcher

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.

Aishah Jameel – Researcher

Aishah is a skilled public health researcher and has experience in maternal and child health qualitative research, project management, knowledge translation, research impact and implementation science. She previously worked at the Lowitja Institute (National Institute for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Research) where she led and managed a number of key projects focusing on research impact. Aishah has a strong passion for maternal and child health and has worked at the Nossal Institute for Global health and the Burnet Institute.

Aishah holds a Bachelor of Science (Hons) Medical Sciences and a Master of Public Health from the University of Edinburgh in the UK.

Alex Zurawski – Researcher

Alex, as Consultant Associate Researcher, provides support in the areas of research, project management and stakeholder and community engagement. He has extensive experience within the First Nations and refugee sectors, most recently overseeing the research commissioning program at the Lowitja Institute (National Institute for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Research).  Alex was instrumental in planning and implementing a capability-building approach to research commissioning whereby research grants were offered to First Nations’ organisations and businesses to facilitate community-led and driven research.

Alex holds a Bachelor of International Development from La Trobe University and a Graduate Certificate in Knowledge Mobilization from the University of Guelph, Canada. Combined with his extensive training in the areas of research impact and implementation, Alex brings a deep understanding of the research impact pathway to Karabena Consulting.

Kim Reid – Research and Administration Support Officer

Kim comes to Karabena Consulting with 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 finds great joy in coordinating Kerry’s calendar and travel needs!

Kim holds a Bachelor of Business (Tourism Management), and is currently studying a Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping.