Meet the team

Casey is a proud Kalkadoon woman with more than 20 years’ experience and leadership in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs. She has broad public sector experience, in policy, program management, service delivery and expertise in Human Resources, as well as experience in the university and Aboriginal Community Controlled Sectors. Casey holds a Master of Philosophy in Public Policy from the University of Cambridge and a Master of Management from ANU.

As Head of the Policy and Secretariat, Casey is responsible for the overarching implementation of the National Agreement on behalf of the Coalition of Peaks.

Ellyse Paton is a Badjtala and Kabi Kabi (Gubbi Gubbi) woman, who was born on Yuin country and grew up on Kaurna, Wajuk, and Ngunnawal country. Ellyse has over 10 years’ experience in the Commonwealth Government across Indigenous stakeholder engagement, Human Resources, governance and organisational development. Ellyse holds a Bachelor of Psychology from Murdoch University.

As a Senior Policy Advisor, Ellyse is responsible for developing policies and strategies aimed at implementing the objectives of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap and supporting the Coalition of Peaks members in negotiations at the National, and State and Territory level.

Bianca Brim is an Anmatjere and Alyawarre woman from Central Australia, who was born in Mount Isa Queensland and grew up in North Queensland. Bianca has 15 years’ experience working across various Government portfolios and the private sector in Indigenous Affairs in Contract, Project and Program management and Data analysis and reporting.

As a Senior Policy Advisor, Bianca is responsible for data and reporting activities for the Coalition of Peaks Secretariat.

Alexandra is a proud Meriam woman, raised in far north Queensland.

She has more than five years’ experience working with clients, mostly in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community sectors.

Alex has worked across public, private, and not-for-profit sectors, and enjoys supporting clients to self determination.

Hope Davison is a Walbunja and Jerrinja woman from the Southeast Coast of NSW, but grew up on Ngunnawal Country and only recently moved back home to live on Country.

Hope has 8 years’ experience working in Commonwealth and state governments, predominantly in Aboriginal Affairs.

Born and raised on Ngunnawal country, Clare has more than a decade of experience in the communications and engagement field, in the not-for-profit environment, and in all levels of government.

As Communications Manager, Clare is responsible for the communications activities for the Coalition of Peaks Secretariat and implementation of the Joint Communications Strategy.

Born and raised on Ngunnawal country, Candice has several years’ experience working in corporate roles within not-for profit organisations including human resources, payroll, and quality management.

As the Executive Officer, Candice is responsible for providing administrative and executive support to the team.

Dusan was born and raised on Wurundjeri country by family from Serbia and Malta. He has lived in Melbourne for most of his life and has worked at law firms, Community Legal Centres, and Aboriginal Legal Services for over 5 years.

Dusan is currently Policy Advisor with the Coalition of Peaks Secretariat and Solicitor, Pro Bono Advisor at King & Wood Mallesons. As a Policy Advisor, Dusan assists the team to develop policies and strategies aimed at implementing the objectives of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap. Dusan has a particular interest in housing, homelessness, and access to justice for First Nations peoples.