Meet the team

Meet the amazing team at ID. Know Yourself! We’re currently looking for new people who are as passionate as we are to join the family and help empower our young people. Check out the current vacancies on our careers page.

Isaiah Dawe

Founder and CEO

Isaiah is a proud Butchulla and Garawa Saltwater man and the Founder of IDKY. After growing up in the foster system, Isaiah reconnected to his culture and discovered a sense of belonging. He then went on to study where he received several awards including winner of the TAFE Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander of the Year Award. In 2018, he became the first Indigenous person to chair the NSW Youth Advisory Committee. After years of hard work and youth mentoring, Isaiah founded IDKY and continues to grow the organisation as CEO.

Aunty Glendra Stubbs

Aunty-in-Residence

Aunty Glendra is a Wiradjuri woman with an extensive history of advocating for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. A founding member of Link-Up - an organisation established to reunite families impacted by the Stolen Generations, Aunty has spent more than 40 years providing advice and practical assistance to survivors of trauma. Aunty Glendra also has been a foster carer to many Aboriginal children and her efforts have seen her awarded an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for her services to the Indigenous community.

Joni Dunn

Curriculum Coordinator

Originally hailing from New Zealand with Maori and Rarotongan heritage, Joni ended up settling down in Sydney after travelling the globe with her family as a child. Joni has been working with children and young people in diverse settings for more than 20 years now and is still learning something new every day! She joined the IDKY team after searching for a role that would make an impact and wanted to surround herself with people who are striving to make a difference. Joni is excited to contribute to the healthy development of happy young people who can safely transition from out-of-home care.

Gary Dixon

Senior Youth Mentor

Gary is a Yuin and Gamilaroi man from Bega on the Far South Coast of NSW. He has experience working in Aboriginal health, the disability sector (including experience working in the youth justice system) and the film industry, including working on the feature film adaptation of Jasper Jones. His debut YA novel, THE BOY FROM THE MISH, was published in 2021. More recently, Gary worked as a caseworker for the Sydney Aboriginal Team at Life Without Barriers. Gary is passionate about writing and making a real difference in the lives of Aboriginal children living in out-of-home care.

Jessie-James West

Youth Mentor

Jessie-James is a Wiradjuri man and current Community Services student who grew up in the inner west of Sydney. Jessie-James gravitated to his role at IDKY as he has always wanted to help young Indigenous men grow up feeling confident and supported, as this was something that he didn’t have access to as a kid. We are honoured to have him walk alongside us as he continues to dedicate his life to the Community Services sector, with a focus on domestic violence and continued support of Indigenous peoples.

Our Board

  • Sono Leone

    CHAIR

    Sono is a Garawa and Butchulla woman who has grown up most her life on Turrbull country in Meanjin Brisbane. She is the Founder and Director of Strong Women Talking and Advocate for First Nation’s Women

  • Noel Prakesh

    BOARD MEMBER

    Noel is the National Head of Indigenous Business and Community at NAB and has worked closely with Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander businesses, communities and Elders.

  • Marlee Silva

    BOARD MEMBER

    Marlee is a proud Gamilaroi and Dunghutti woman who grew up on Dharawal Country. She is the best selling author of 'My Tidda, My Sister', a podcast host, presenter and freelance writer with a background in the NFP sector.

  • Dylan Booth

    BOARD MEMBER

    Dylan is a Gomeroi man and lives on Gadigal and Bidjigal lands. Dylan is an Associate Director in Deloitte’s Indigenous Services and leads the NSW Youth Working group for the Uluru Statement from the Heart.

  • Charisma Cubillo

    BOARD MEMBER

    Charisma is a Larrakia woman, born in Sydney with family in the NT. She is a Solicitor and graduated from the UNSW in 2019 with degrees in Law and Arts (Politics & Indigenous Studies).