Mutuanene has over 30 years’ experience in diverse fields ranging from management, research in agriculture and forestry, agrochemicals sales and operations, IT marketing, FMCG and pharmaceuticals sales; across three countries – including Kenya, South Africa and Australia. He previously worked for Kenya Agricultural Research Institute, Farmchem Ltd (Kenya), South Africa Pulp and Paper Industries (South Africa) and various Pharmaceutical companies in Australia. Mutuanene holds a BSc (Hons) from the University of Nairobi, an MBA from Buckinghamshire Chilterns University College, London and a MEcon from The University of Sydney. In the Afrika Diaspora community, Mutuanene has been involved at coordinating and management level in different welfare associations and forums that seek the socio-cultural and economic advancement of the Afrikans in Australia.

Richard has over 17 years of professional experience as CharteredAccountant within the professional services environment and the commercial sector, with skills covering Treasury management and reporting, financial reporting, and business performance. Richard is a business enthusiast actively involved in business development within agricultural production and value chain processes. Richard is member of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ) and a Fellow, Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA). He holds an MBA from Edinburgh Business School, Heriot-Watt University and a BCom from Makerere University, Kampala. In the Afrika Diaspora community, Richard is involved in voluntary community related initiatives within the Ugandan Diaspora community in Australia and he serves as a Non-Executive Director for Great Lakes Agency for Peace and Development (GLAPD).

Dr Jane Chimungeni-Brassington has over 30 years’ experience, with expertise in natural resources management, Oceans Policy advisory and fisheries management. Jane has worked extensively in Australia and overseas for various government institutions and as a consultant. She currently works in the public service of Australia and is recognised as one of Afrika’s top fisheries specialists. Jane plays an active leadership role in the community while volunteering with various organisations. Through this work Jane has educated communities on a vast array of issues including integration into the wider Canberra society and bringing about positive social change and improving the lives of the most vulnerable.

Dr Shema has over 15 years’ experience in public health, health program management, community
development and research. Dr Nadine Shema is the co-founder of the Great Lakes Agency for Peace and Development International (GLAPD). She serves as the agency‘s Settlement Operations Manager and Public Relations Officer. Dr Shema is an overseas trained medical doctor, a public health professional and a refugee advocate. She holds a double master‘s degree in Public Health and Health Management (UNSW). Since her 2011 arrival in Australia, she has devoted herself to the welfare of refugees and migrants from the Great Lakes region of Africa (mainly Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda and the D.R. Congo) by promoting peace, harmony and development among the people, both in Australia and internationally.

John has over 15 years’ experience in diverse fields including banking, sales, management and investments. He previously worked with Barclays Bank of Kenya Ltd, as a business banker and as Operations Manager in Safaricom dealers – Maisha Mobiles Ltd and Ecotech Communications Ltd. Currently, John is an associate financial adviser in Perth, Western Australia – working closely with a team of senior financial advisers in providing strategic advice to clients involving complex portfolio research, financial modelling, and analysis. John holds a BSc (Hons) from the University of Nairobi (Kenya), a MSc. (Actuarial and Financial Science) from Curtin University of Technology (Australia) and an Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning (ADFP) from Mentor Education (Australia). He’s the founder and director of Ausiken Co-operative Society Limited (Western Australia).

Pauline has over 20 years’ experience in Project Management and public administration in both the public and the private sectors with skills covering program budgeting, reporting, risk management as well as governance. Pauline has previously worked in Project Management and in Monitoring & Evaluation with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) overseeing the Rural Development Programs for Small & Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in sub-Saharan Africa. She has also worked in different private organizations supporting Program Management Office (PMO) to deliver outcomes within set timeframes and budgets. She previously worked with National Australia Bank and MLC insurance company to support the Super and Investment Simplification Program (SISP) in delivering simplified superannuation products to the customers. Pauline is currently involved in the management of Transformation Program in Westpac Banking Corporation (WBC) overseeing risk, governance aspects and reporting. Pauline is a Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)® and holds a BSc. in Agricultural Economics from Egerton University, Kenya and a Masters in Economics from the University of Sydney, Australia. In the Afrika Diaspora community, Pauline is involved in welfare initiatives within the Kenyan community.

James has over 27 years’ experience as a qualified CPA, having worked both in Kenya and Australia within the Finance and Accounting fields. Prior to migrating from Kenya to Australia in 2010, James worked in the Banking Financial Services sector in various capacities, including as Finance manager and ultimately as Chief Finance Officer. James has a wide range of experience in business advisory roles, developing budgets and forecasts, monthly management reporting, preparation of financial statements, stakeholder management and developing and interpreting policies and procedures. James is highly involved in the community activities: he’s a past President of the Kenyan community in South Australia; a previous member of the Lions club of Marion and a former board member of the Marriage outreach ministry, a NFP organisation that promotes good and healthy marriages based on biblical principles. Currently James is involved in Students Assist Initiative, helping new migrant students settle in South Australia.

Nyamushi has over 15 years’ experience in IT as a software service and customer solutions analyst. Passionate in education, he transitioned to Secondary education and spent over 6 years in Independent and Public Schools teaching Software and Digital Technology. He co-founded and served as Chairperson of the Rwandan Community of NSW from 2007 – 2015. He spearheaded community initiatives with other migrant organisations to inform NSW Multicultural Agency, the Department of Immigration and other government institutions on policy matters regarding migrants from the Afrikan Continent. Nyamushi holds a BSc from Charles Sturt University and a MA in Politics and Public Policy from Macquarie University. In the Diaspora community Nyamushi is involved in fundraising, promotion of national cohesion and regularly participates in volunteer work to educate teachers in Rwanda.

James has over 20 years’ experience in church and community leadership. James is an ordained minister with the A.I.C church in Kenya. He is passionate about leadership, community and project management. Previously he worked with Word of Life and Diguna ministries; which are Para-church organizations in Kenya. James is currently serving as a Pastor in North Island, New Zealand, while doubling as a volunteer fire fighter and Secretary General for Kenyans living in New Zealand (KCNZ). KCNZ’s aim is to connect Kenyans and other Afrikans living in New Zealand with the local communities and those in surrounding islands. James is married and blessed with two children.