OUR PEOPLE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Alfred Parry Agius
Director, ABC Foundation
Management Committee Member, ABC Trust
Director, ABCF Holdings Pty Ltd
Parry holds an Associate Diploma in Aboriginal Affairs, a Bachelor of Arts (Aboriginal Affairs Administration) and is an accredited Cultural Safety Trainer. In 2000 Parry was awarded the first Prime Ministers Centenary Medal for his work with Aboriginal people and in 2013 was presented with an Honorary Associate from Macquarie University. As a strong advocate for socio-economic benefits for Aboriginal people, Parry’s career spans nearly 30 years cementing partnerships between Indigenous groups, government and industry. With a strong background in community development, native title, natural resource management and primary industries, his passion and genuine commitment has awarded many accolades and he is well respected in his field. Previously taking the chair of CEO of the South Australian Native Title Services, Parry is the founding director of Linking Futures and is also the current Chair of the NRM Regions Australia.
Jayde Conway
Director, ABC Foundation
Committee Member, On-Country Education, R&D
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 Wilkes
Chairperson, ABC Foundation
Management Committee Member, ABC Trust
Committee Member, On-Country Education, R&D
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.
Chelsea Miles Director,
ABC Foundation
Chelsea holds a Graduate Certificate in Business - Public Sector Management and is currently a project manager at the Department of Education in Western Australia. Chelsea is a Community Services industry expert with extensive knowledge of Aboriginal and Community Affairs in urban, regional and remote settings. Chelsea’s strengths are in program and project development as well as leadership and management within government, non-government and community organisations. She has considerable experience in community engagement and has established extensive working relationships across all sectors of the community. She is also well regarded for her professionalism and strong work ethic.
Alison Sentance
Managing Director, ABC Foundation
Management Committee Member, ABC Trust
Director, ABCF Holdings Pty Ltd
Alison holds a Masters in Business Administration, a Degree in Applied Science, Biodiversity and Environmental Park Management, and is currently studying a Masters in Professional Accounting. Alison has 15 years’ experience working on pioneering strategic socio-economic Aboriginal land-based projects both locally and regionally across WA, NT and SA, within government and industry including the Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation, Rio Tinto and Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia. Highly skilled in conceptualising new business ideas, developing complex multi-level projects, implementing robust financial management, governance and compliance structures, mitigating risk and auditing financial business models. Passionate about community economic development, Alison started a consulting company in 2013, Vital Consult Pty Ltd, which became the first B Corp Certified Company in South Australia in 2014. In 2015, Alison was brought on to establish ABC Foundation Ltd, her proudest achievement.
Helen Slater
Chief Executive Officer, ABC Foundation
Committee Member, ABCFL Risk & Remuneration Committee,
Director, ABCF Holdings Pty Ltd
Helen is a qualified Workplace Assessor and holds a Certificate IV Career and Employability Skills, a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment and is a Guiding Circles Facilitator. With nearly 20 years of experience working in Education, Training and Employment, Helen is a highly skilled Industry and Government Liaison, a passionate and people-focused leader and excels at creating pathways for Aboriginal people through both career and economic development. Helen has 10 years’ experience working in the Oil and Gas, Construction and Mining Industries, providing advice and expertise to the Industry cultural and social issues, while creating opportunities for Aboriginal people through business and commercial contracts. Previous work includes Regional Development and Community Engagement on the Gorgon Project and as a Career, Development and Transition Officer and Mentor on the Pluto Project. Helen became a Director of Vital Consult Pty Ltd in 2017.
