Who we are.
Meet the many faces behind the Deadly Ed Foundation.
Board
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Kane is a proud Dharug man with a strong dedication to education, community, and advocacy. Over the course of his career, Kane has held a range of roles including various high school educator positions, Manager at the National Centre of Indigenous Excellence (NCIE), and at TAFE NSW.
As an experienced educator, he has spent much of his career working to improve educational outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.
Kane is COO of the Deadly Ed Foundation
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Josh is a Worimi man, who grew up on Worimi country on the Mid North Coast of NSW. As a teacher, Josh has evolved his education background into business, consulting and organisational strategy on outcomes that enhance cultural education and positively impact Aboriginal peoples and country.
Through his work in education, Josh aims to create a future where all Australians are educated about and connect with Aboriginal cultures, whilst enhancing reconciliation and future outcomes of our Aboriginal kids.
Josh is the CEO of the Deadly Ed Foundation
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Born and bred on Dharawal Country, Mel is a proud Aboriginal woman who lives in Shellharbour on the NSW South Coast.
Mel’s background is working in the tourism industry, where she worked at Destination Wollongong for many years in several roles that include visitor information, administration, international sales and marketing, domestic marketing campaigns and social media.
Mel is an active member of the local Aboriginal community and previously sat on the Destination Wollongong RAP committee in helping establish their RAP.
Mel is the Company Secretary of Deadly Ed Foundation
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Derek Kinchela, a proud Gamilaroi and Yuggera man, is an educator with a background in secondary education. He brings extensive experience in advancing cultural competency and empowering Indigenous student success.
With a focus on celebrating Indigenous knowledge systems, Derek’s career spans roles in student engagement, curriculum innovation, and strategic educational initiatives. His work prioritises equity, cultural pride, and reconciliation, building awareness of colonisation while promoting cultural responsiveness.
Derek’s strengths-based approach continues to drive meaningful, lasting change across the education sector and broader communities.
Derek is a Non-Executive Director of the Deadly Ed Foundation
Our Advisors
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Alex is a seasoned leader who brings expertise in sustainability, place-based solutions, policy, strategy and governance. Alex is a Non-Executive Director of St George Community Housing, Place Management NSW, Tracey Brunstrom and Hammond Pty Ltd, a Trustee of Sydney Harbour Federation Trust and a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
As a former Deputy Secretary in the NSW Government, Alex drove a place-based approach to planning and infrastructure and led Premier’s priorities to improve the quality of public space across NSW and to plant a million trees across Greater Sydney. Alex also led significant cultural infrastructure projects and supported the work of the Government Architect’s Office in finalising the Designing with Country guidelines.
Alex is a planning and environmental lawyer admitted in 1999 and has a Masters in Administrative Law and Policy from the University of Sydney. In 2022, Alex founded Sustainable Solutions Advisory which provides strategic advice on sustainability, place-based solutions, and leadership. Alex is also a member of the Science Advisory Council of UNSW.
Alex is passionate about values-led and inclusive leadership. She grew up in Dubbo on Wiradjuri Country where she began learning about First Nations culture, a journey that continues - Alex deeply values what she has learnt from the world’s oldest living culture and the opportunity to broaden her perspective by growing her knowledge.
Alex is committed to doing what she can to support First Nations leadership and enable other people to grow their knowledge of First Nations culture so that we can begin a process of healing in Australia.
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Richard Davis was born and bred on Dharawal Country, on the NSW South Coast. With ties to Bunjalung and Yuin nations within NSW.
Richard was the AEDO at Illawarra iTec for over 30 years and during that time he helped small businesses with advice and assisted them in establishing themselves as successful Aboriginal businesses within the community.
Richard is currently Chairperson of the Illawarra Aboriginal Corporation, a role he is very passionate about and one that he has done for many years. Richard is known in the local Illawarra community as an Elder and if often performing a Welcome to Country at local events as well as attending and presenting at community and corporate events throughout the region.
Richard is now retired however remains passionate about his local community and his culture, he continues to be a presence in the community to ensure our culture is acknowledged and celebrated.