Our Team
Kaava Watson
Kaava is a Gungalu and Birri Gubba man who was born and raised in Brisbane.
An experienced advocate with a strong background in law, justice and community development. He holds a Bachelor of Laws, Bachelor of Justice and Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice and after studying law and justice he has gained years of experience across a range of sectors in senior leadership and governance positions.
Most recently, he was the Executive Director Network Development at the Institute for Urban Indigenous Health, one of the largest Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations in Australia.
He is also the former CEO of Brisbane Indigenous Media Association, the first Aboriginal media organisation and radio broadcast license in a capital city in Australia and former Chairperson of The Murri School where he completed both his primary and secondary education.
Jamal Cannedy
Jamal is a proud Wakka Wakka and Yuwaalaraay man who was raised in Brisbane.
An experienced leader with a strong background in Indigenous employment, community engagement, reconciliation, and policy development. He holds a Bachelor of Business and a Master of Human Resource Management from Griffith University and has worked extensively across state and national sectors in senior leadership, strategy, and governance roles.
He is the former Board Director of the Murri School, one of Queensland’s leading Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander independent schools, and Brisbane Indigenous Media Association, one of Australia’s longest-standing Indigenous media organisations supporting First Nations voices and storytelling.
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Jyi Lawton
Jyi Lawton is a proud Bidjara man and nationally recognised leader in Indigenous economic empowerment and strategic policy.
His career spans over 15 years across government, business, media, and academia, all grounded in a belief that economic empowerment is key to Indigenous self determination. Jyi is the current CEO of AEMEE, a leading Indigenous body in the resources and renewables sector. He has held senior roles with the Queensland Government, Indigenous Business Australia, and QUT, driving initiatives that support Indigenous entrepreneurship, policy reform, and innovation. A former CEO of Triple A, member of the Australian Institute of Compony Directors, Jyi brings strong governance experience through board various National Board Directorships. He holds qualifications in business, architecture, and criminal justice, and is a MURRA Indigenous Business Masterclass graduate.