Our Structure

Board of Directors

Our Board of Directors comprises of up to 8 representatives from across Queensland.  Board Directors bring a range of skills, including those as First Nations business owners.  Representative are selected through a rigorous process aligned with a skills-based matrix, in order to ensure that right mix on the board.

Shane Kennelly

Co-Chair

Shane, a proud Bundjalung man, and is currently Managing Director of Kennelly Constructions and Executive Director of First People Recruitment Solutions having over 25 years of experience in senior executive positions. He is a practical and skilled executive with demonstrated success and experience in leading and building sustainable growth for businesses across the defence, recruitment, telecommunication, construction, resources and energy sectors. This uniquely experienced professional brings an impressively broad business and government experience in governance, strategic management, human resource management, risk management, work place health and safety and construction. Shane is Co-Chair of Queensland Indigenous Business Network, Non-Executive Director Indigenous Business Australia Retail Asset Management, Advisory Member of the Bond University Business School, a Panel member of the Queensland Governments Tripartite Procurement Advisory Panel, Advisory Member to the Brisbane 2032 First Nation Advisory Group and an Executive Director of Indigenous Employment Australia.

Julie-ann Lambourne​

Co-Chair

Julie-ann Lambourne is a proud Wagedagam woman from Mabuiag Island and Samsep woman from Erub Island. Julie-ann has a wealth of experience with over 30 years specialising in innovation, business strategy and advisory, workforce development and community development. Julie-ann is a co-founder and Co-chairperson of Queensland Indigenous Business Network (QIBN). QIBN is an independent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisation being led by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to assist First Nations owned small businesses grow and thrive in Queensland.

Julie-ann was a founding member and Chief Executive Officer of enVizion Group Inc an award winning Indigenous owned and operated organisation. Julie-ann also has her own consultancy business providing national Indigenous advisory services within the renewables sector and other industries. Julie-ann is passionate in development and sustainability of Indigenous businesses, innovation and enabling our future leaders.

Leann Wilson

Director

A Bidjara/Kara-Kara First Nations and South Sea Islander woman. Leann Wilson is an experienced executive and business owner, who has been at the pioneering forefront in opening dialogue and delivering outcomes for communities, business, and government.

As the Managing Director of Regional Economic Solutions, Leann’s focus is identifying opportunities to connect businesses and employment opportunities into project supply chains. She supports businesses, government, and Indigenous groups to create sustainable cultural, social, and economic outcomes. With her business being built on the principle of impartiality, Leann brings a unique understanding that it is not her role to decide what is best but rather broker deals that are agreeable, sustainable, ethical, and beneficial to all parties. Leann’s determination to support Indigenous innovators and businesses has seen the establishment of the Queensland Indigenous Business Network (QIBN) along with Julie-ann Lambourne, Shane Kennelly and Colin Saltmere.

Her passion and commitment to social and economic parity has seen Leann appointed to regional, state, and national boards. Leann was recognised as one of Australia’s most influential women in 2019 by the Australian Financial Review at the 100 Women of Influence Awards.

Colin Saltmere

Director

Colin Saltmere (“Beo”) is a senior Indjalandji-Dhidhanu traditional owner of the Camooweal region in North-West Queensland, and the Managing Director of the Myuma Group of companies.  Colin has overseen the expansion of the Myuma Group from a small corporation in the 1990s to a diverse business and service delivery operation employing more than 160 full-time staff of which 85% are Indigenous. Colin served as ATSIC Regional Council Chairperson and Councillor for the Mt Isa-Gulf Region from 1994 to 1999. 

The Myuma Group delivers: award-winning civil and mining prevocational training program for mining companies with over 2100 Indigenous graduates to date of which 97% transitioned to employment; the Community Development Program in four regions in Queensland and Northern Territory; Job Active services in Mount Isa, ranger programs across western Queensland working with 15 traditional owner groups; as well as operating a successful contracting business, prequalified for civil and road construction with ISO accreditation.  One of the Myuma Group entities, Bulugudu Ltd, has built a pilot spinifex biotechnology manufacturing lab at Camooweal and patented commercial applications of spinifex fibre. 

A spinoff company, Trioda Wilingi is the first Indigenous biotechnology company in Australia majority owned by Indjalandji-Dhidhanu people. Colin has led the establishment of the National Indigenous Science Translation Centre which will create substantial jobs and business opportunities for traditional owners throughout Australia.  His expertise and knowledge in Indigenous training, economic development and land management is widely acknowledged, and he has served on a wide variety of regional, state and commonwealth leadership groups and committees.  He is currently the Chairperson of the Australian Government’s Indigenous Reference Group on Northern Australia and a board member of the newly created Queensland Indigenous Business Network.  In 2021, Colin was made a Member in the General Division (AM) in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for significant service to the Indigenous communities of North-West Queensland.

Secretariat

The QIBN Office was established in March 2024 and has an office space at

The Precinct in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane.

Donisha Duff

CEO

Donisha is an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander woman from Thursday Island, Torres Strait. Her family are Aboriginal (Wuthathi) traditional owners of Eastern Cape York and she also has familial links to Badu, Moa & Mabuiag Islands in the Torres Strait.

She has more than 20 years’ experience in health and Indigenous affairs, working in the Federal and State governments and the non-government, community-controlled sector.

Donisha an Adjunct Associate Professor with Kurongkurl Katitjin, Centre for Indigenous Australian Education and Research at Edith Cowan University. She is Chairperson of the Stars Foundation Limited, Board Member of Metro South Hospital and Health Services, Board Member of the Queensland Voluntary Assisted Dying Review Board and Board Member of the Jobs Queensland Board.