We are a First Nations led social enterprise.
EM-power Foundation aims to increase opportunities for First Nations people to secure sustainable, economic, health, cultural and social benefits for themselves and their communities.
Our social enterprise is focused on equipping First Nations people with the confidence, knowledge and entrepreneurial skills needed to participate in STEM-based careers and launch new ventures across the Australian agriculture and food value chain with a specific (but not exclusive) focus on the native ag+food sector.
Not only will this deliver impact directly for First Nations people, it will also contribute more broadly to creating a more sustainable agriculture and food system.
Our Team
We have assembled a multi-skilled team to help build the foundation and achieve our goals.
Our Board
Darryl Lyons
Non-Executive Director + Chair
Darryl is a proud Maiawali man, an experienced Managing Director, with a demonstrated history in the telecommunications industry. He is a 3rd generation farmer passionate about Indigenous knowledge systems and the co-founder and chief rainmaker of the Rainstick enterprise, using electricity to mimic the natural effects of lightning to grow crops bigger, faster, and more sustainably. Darryl is also:
-
Entrepreneur in Residence: Farmers2Founder
-
Indigenous Entrepreneur in Residence: James Cook University
-
Co-Founder: escaVox
Martina Hazelbane
Non-Executive Director
Martina is the proud Founder of the Indigenous Road Safety Academy (IRSA), CEO of Stapleton Indigenous Solutions (SIS), a 100% owned and operated Indigenous Consulting Agency.
Martina is a proud Larrakia/Warai traditional owner from NT, is on the Governance Board of Carers NT, the first appointed Indigenous Director. Martina is a fearless leader, public speaker, educator, and community engagement expert dedicated to achieving social justice and Indigenous empowerment.
Martina is highly regarded and in 2019 was awarded the NATSILS Attorney General’s nationally coveted ‘Trevor Christian Memorial Award’ in recognition of her substantial positive contributions to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community for female leadership in law.
Debra Evans
Non-Executive Director
Debra is a proud Malyangapa woman who will be an extremely valued board member, through her vast experience as an academic, working in education and entrepreneurship.
Debra is a PhD candidate and Lecturer-Graduate Certificate in Wiradjuri Language & Cultural Heritage School of Indigenous Australian Studies at Charles Sturt University and is a Researcher at CSU with Heritage & Cultural Recovery Projects.
Debra is a member of the Budyaan Wiradjuri Futures Trust set up by Dr Stan Grant (Snr).
Shane Mitchell
Non-Executive Director
Shane is a proud Narungga – Kaurna man, who brings a wealth of experience after 30 years as a senior executive at Woolworths and now currently the Koorie Education Manager.
Shane’s transferable skills of leadership, finance and mentorship provide outstanding assets to contribute to the emerging leaders of the Koorie community. He is passionate about education and the development and career pathways for Indigenous students throughout North East Victoria and all of Australia.
Dr Christine Pitt
Non-Executive Director + Founder
Dr Christine Pitt is a globally recognised thought leader, investor, and entrepreneur in the agri+food tech ecosystem. Christine is co-founder and CEO of Food Futures Company and co-founder and Managing Director of Farmers2Founders.
Christine had 20 years at Meat & Livestock Australia including as CEO of MLA Donor Company, an innovation investment company that grew to $100m pa. Christine is passionate about supporting indigenous entrepreneurs and increase Indigenous participation in the native agri+food sector.
Tony Morwood
Non-Executive Director + Company Secretary
Tony is an experienced company director and strategic advisor, who is passionate in supporting Indigenous career pathways, social impact initiatives and sustainability.
Tony is a Graduate of Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD), non-executive director and Chair at Closed Loop Environmental Solutions and the Life Again Foundation, strategic advisor to the Sydney Swans Foundation and ThinkAbout Your Decision Governance Education Program.
Our Team Members
Skye Raward
Co-Founder
Skye Raward has gained a holistic knowledge of the agri+food industry. For over 18 years, Skye has worked in a variety of different creative and managerial roles within the hospitality, food and larger corporate food manufacturing sectors. Skye holds a Bachelor of Business, a Masters in Marketing and she is a fully qualified chef.
Skye brings specialised capabilities in the design, delivery and facilitation of pre-accelerator and accelerator programs for start ups and scale ups; dedicated business coaching for start ups in different stages of growth; and the implementation of food innovation networks that build strong partnerships and collaborations.
Skye possesses a unique combination of academic and research skills; creative flair; and hands-on business experience in hospitality, food manufacturing and startup life as co-founder. She is passionate about food and the food industry and the opportunity to make a difference.
Holly Hoad
Project Co-ordinator, Indigenous Women STEM & Entrepreneurship Pathways Project
Holly is a proud Wiradjuri woman based in Dubbo where she has worked with Charles Sturt University for the past five years. In 2021 she was seconded to Food Futures Company to help in the establishment of a national project aimed at increasing the participation of Indigenous girls and women in STEM & Entrepreneurship careers in the food & agriculture sector.
Holly is passionate about supporting First Nations people to build successful careers and businesses and to create a positive impact in their communities. She holds a Bachelor of BusinessStudies from Charles Sturt University.
Anastasia Vickers
Program Intern, Indigenous Women STEM & Entrepreneurship Pathways Project
Passionate in cooking, science and native Ingredients, Anastasia is currently studying at Western Sydney University to complete a Bachelor of Advanced Science (Nutrition and Food Science). She works part time incorporating Aboriginal Education, a Bushtucker garden and recipes to students at a local high school on Dharug and Gundungurra Country in the Blue Mountains.
As a Proud First Nations Ngadjuri woman, she is inspired to prop up Elders, Children and local communities across country. In order to ensure a culturally safe workspace, Anastasia brings experience from being a First Nations woman with a strong Aboriginal identity through art, dance and local community connections. As a young person in the community she is passionate about learning and connecting with other first nations students, Elders and community. She recognises the diversity of Countries across unceded Australia in order to prioritise the self determination of First Nations Peoples.
Anastasia contributes industry experience from various work at global Food Science companies and is excited to expand her knowledge to Native Ingredients. Connecting and contributing to First Nations students and entrepreneurs experiences in the Native Agricultural and Food science industry is her motivation, as well as the sustainability of native foods.
Samantha
May
Marketing Executive
I'm a paragraph. Click here to add your own text and edit me. It’s easy. Just click “Edit Text” or double click me.
Blaire Burke
Project Co-ordinator, Food Innovation & Entrepreneurship
Blaire is committed to nurturing strong working relationships, supported by her dedication to maintaining respectful and transparent communication. Guided by a growth mindset, she thrives on embracing challenges with inventive problem-solving and a strong inclination for collaboration. Blaire has focussed and is enthusiastic for food science and innovation, particularly within food safety and waste reduction domains, Blaire's academic background further strengthens her skills. With a Bachelor of Medical and Health Science and a Postgraduate in Environmental Health Practice, Blaire's expertise spans human health intricacies and environmental dynamics. Whilst in Local Government, as an Environmental Health Officer, Blaire specialised in the Food Sector, she seamlessly imparts invaluable professional insights, navigating the intricacies of Acts and Regulations while simultaneously fostering community engagement through education and guidance. Driven by a passion to empower the community, Blaire thrives on support and collaboration, actively driving the growth and expansion of innovative ideas within the food domain to enhance food systems.
