Our People

Jayde is a Whadjuk, Ballardong, Yamatji, Banjima, Badimaya and Wongatha woman, through ancestral and continuing connections from her Mother and Father. In 2004 Jayde completed a Bachelor of Education (Primary) at Edith Cowan University and for the fourteen years worked at schools in the Midwest and Goldfields Regions. Jayde has dedicated her teaching career to increasing the understanding of Aboriginal knowledges, through Noongar cultural ways of being, doing, knowing and moving. Jayde works at Curtin University in the position of Cultural Immersion Coordinator, where she manages the Cultural Capability team. In this position Jayde manages, designs and delivers the (ICCF) Indigenous Cultural Capability Framework. Jayde has a large role in providing culturally safe advice to Curtin University ensuring that teaching practices continue to develop into culturally inclusive and safe spaces.

Deb is a current PhD student, holds a Masters in Research Practice, Graduate Certificate in Public Sector Management, Diploma of Management and an Undergraduate Degree in Youth Work. She is a Fellow of Leadership WA and a Fellow of Local Government Professionals. In 2012 she was named one of Australia’s 100 Women of Influence, in 2014 she was awarded a Certificate of Appreciation from LG Professionals, and in 2021 was awarded the LG Professionals WA Meritorious Award for services to Community Development and LG Professionals WA Medal for services to the sector across the state. With a background in local government, not-for-profit and corporate business, she has worked at senior levels in metropolitan, regional and remote locations in WA, and also spent time in America working for a multinational corporation. Her passion is for working with community-led and strength-based programs that create sustainable change for some of the most disadvantaged sections of our communities. In 2017 she established her own business, Building on Strengths, while continuing to work in the local government space.