Executive Staff
Nick Thomas
Chief Executive Officer
Nick joined Wunan as Chief Executive Officer on 1 November 2011. With extensive experience in both domestic and international business environments in Australia, North America, Asia and Europe. Nick’s career has been characterised by bottom-line results, the passion he brings to the subject matter and a strong belief in the higher social purpose.
It is that energy and commitment, along with a track record of business success, that will see Nick take Wunan forward in its purpose and strategy to drive long-term socio-economic change for Aboriginal people. By continuing to build the foundations capability and capacity, Wunan seeks to provide real opportunities, invest in people’s abilities, and encourage and reward aspiration and self-responsibility.
Nick has an MBA, University of Melbourne, Australia and BSc. (Hons), University of Liverpool, UK
Contact: Email – nick.thomas@wunan.org.au | Phone – 08-9166 5735
Chief Executive Officer
Nick joined Wunan as Chief Executive Officer on 1 November 2011. With extensive experience in both domestic and international business environments in Australia, North America, Asia and Europe. Nick’s career has been characterised by bottom-line results, the passion he brings to the subject matter and a strong belief in the higher social purpose.
It is that energy and commitment, along with a track record of business success, that will see Nick take Wunan forward in its purpose and strategy to drive long-term socio-economic change for Aboriginal people. By continuing to build the foundations capability and capacity, Wunan seeks to provide real opportunities, invest in people’s abilities, and encourage and reward aspiration and self-responsibility.
Nick has an MBA, University of Melbourne, Australia and BSc. (Hons), University of Liverpool, UK
Contact: Email – nick.thomas@wunan.org.au | Phone – 08-9166 5735
Mr Ian Trust
Executive Director
Ian has been involved with Wunan since its inception in 1997 and as the Executive Director since 2004. Ian is one of the driving forces behind Wunan’s key strategy to establish a strong economic base, by which it may deliver sustainable programs to assist Aboriginal people of the East Kimberley in creating a better life for themselves. In addition to Wunan, Ian is engaged with a number of national and regional organisations which contribute to the broader objective of creating Aboriginal independence.
These organisations include:
- Indigenous Business Australia (IBA);
- Indigenous Land Corporation (ILC).
- Kimberley College of TAFE Kimberley Land Council- Kimberley Futures.
Ian is also involved in the support and development of emerging Aboriginal leaders in the East Kimberley. Developing strong leaders from within the Aboriginal community is crucial to drive and maintain development strategies and ensure Aboriginal people achieve their full potential.
Contact: Email – ian.trust@wunan.org.au | Phone – 08-9166 5707
Wendy Kelly
Manager, Housing Strategies & Group Administration
Wendy was introduced to Wunan and the East Kimberley through her 2010 Jawun Secondment Round where 20 years experience with NAB saw her working on a Finance Management project. A qualified Life and Personal Development Coach, Wendy’s passion for helping people reach their full potential combined with her professional background, fit perfectly with Wunan’s core purpose of supporting Aboriginal people to reach independence.
Through her role with Wunan, Wendy has fulfilled her goal to work for a not-for-profit organisation and has brought to the Wunan team her experience in the areas of finance & administration, human resources and project management. A key responsibility of Wendy’s is the support and development of Wunan’s housing strategy.
Wendy has a strong community spirit that is demonstrated through her long association with Rotary Melbourne and now Rotary Kununurra.
Contact: Email – wendy.kelly@wunan.org.au | Phone – 08-9166 5717
Manager, Housing Strategies & Group Administration
Wendy was introduced to Wunan and the East Kimberley through her 2010 Jawun Secondment Round where 20 years experience with NAB saw her working on a Finance Management project. A qualified Life and Personal Development Coach, Wendy’s passion for helping people reach their full potential combined with her professional background, fit perfectly with Wunan’s core purpose of supporting Aboriginal people to reach independence.
Through her role with Wunan, Wendy has fulfilled her goal to work for a not-for-profit organisation and has brought to the Wunan team her experience in the areas of finance & administration, human resources and project management. A key responsibility of Wendy’s is the support and development of Wunan’s housing strategy.
Wendy has a strong community spirit that is demonstrated through her long association with Rotary Melbourne and now Rotary Kununurra.
Contact: Email – wendy.kelly@wunan.org.au | Phone – 08-9166 5717
Murray Coates
Regional Director, East Kimberley
Murray represents Jawun in the East Kimberley and has been instrumental in the growth and success of the corporate secondee program, supporting Indigenous communities and businesses in the region. In its first year, 46 professionals from a range of organisations and disciplines provided skills to a number of projects and in so doing, greatly enhanced the capabilities of Indigenous enterprise in the region.
Murray has been a long-term employee of Wunan and played a key role in the establishment of its training and employment initiatives and has significantly contributed to Wunan’s strategic direction. In this context, Murray continues to advise, assist and represent Wunan when his Jawun commitments permit.
Murray has over 15 years experience at senior management level and a degree ini Social Work, Post Graduate Diploma of Management and Post Graduate Diploma of Company Directorship.
As well, Murray has a long association with Rotary, is a member of the Kununurra Chamber of Commerce, a Board Member on the Kimberley Group Training and TAFE Boards and was the Chairperson and Board Member of the Ord Valley Muster.
Contact: Email – murrayc@jawun.org.au | Phone – 08-9166 5766
Regional Director, East Kimberley
Murray represents Jawun in the East Kimberley and has been instrumental in the growth and success of the corporate secondee program, supporting Indigenous communities and businesses in the region. In its first year, 46 professionals from a range of organisations and disciplines provided skills to a number of projects and in so doing, greatly enhanced the capabilities of Indigenous enterprise in the region.
Murray has been a long-term employee of Wunan and played a key role in the establishment of its training and employment initiatives and has significantly contributed to Wunan’s strategic direction. In this context, Murray continues to advise, assist and represent Wunan when his Jawun commitments permit.
Murray has over 15 years experience at senior management level and a degree ini Social Work, Post Graduate Diploma of Management and Post Graduate Diploma of Company Directorship.
As well, Murray has a long association with Rotary, is a member of the Kununurra Chamber of Commerce, a Board Member on the Kimberley Group Training and TAFE Boards and was the Chairperson and Board Member of the Ord Valley Muster.
Contact: Email – murrayc@jawun.org.au | Phone – 08-9166 5766
Michele Pucci
Manager – Education Strategies
Michele has lived in the East Kimberley for many years and has played an integral role in the development of numerous initiatives focussed on the key area of Youth and Community Development. She recently returned to the Wunan Team and is responsible for the management of Wunan’s education strategies which include programs such as the Joodoogeb-be-gerring Werlemen Program, Partnership Broker service, Parents & Families Engaged in Education and the Beat2Ed program.
Michele’s dedication, determination and outstanding performance is evident in her ability to secure funding for a range of projects, while her experience in program management and development ensures successful outcomes.
Michele is currently Chair of Regional Development Australia – Kimberley and has also held a number of significant Board level positions including Shire President for Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley, past Board member for the Kimberley Development Commission and a member of the Ord Development Community and Social Infrastructure Taskforce.
Contact: Email – michele.pucci@wunan.org.au | Phone – 08-9166 5706
Manager – Education Strategies
Michele has lived in the East Kimberley for many years and has played an integral role in the development of numerous initiatives focussed on the key area of Youth and Community Development. She recently returned to the Wunan Team and is responsible for the management of Wunan’s education strategies which include programs such as the Joodoogeb-be-gerring Werlemen Program, Partnership Broker service, Parents & Families Engaged in Education and the Beat2Ed program.
Michele’s dedication, determination and outstanding performance is evident in her ability to secure funding for a range of projects, while her experience in program management and development ensures successful outcomes.
Michele is currently Chair of Regional Development Australia – Kimberley and has also held a number of significant Board level positions including Shire President for Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley, past Board member for the Kimberley Development Commission and a member of the Ord Development Community and Social Infrastructure Taskforce.
Contact: Email – michele.pucci@wunan.org.au | Phone – 08-9166 5706
Sandra Mitchell
Manager – Employment Strategies
Growing up in country NSW, Sandra started her career as an award-winning cadet journalist in NSW who then entered media monitoring with an emerging company in Sydney that became the industry leader.
Sandra then entered public relations and communications roles in the Northern Territory, with main roles including public relations at Royal Darwin Hospital (including during the first Bali bombings) and heading up Media and Corporate Communications for NT Police, Fire and Emergency Services.
She then moved to the Australian Government leading a team with responsibility for Law and Order Measures under the NT Emergency Response before moving to Kununurra and managing the Indigenous Coordination Centre for the East Kimberley.
Sandra leads Wunan’s employment strategy, assisting Aboriginal people to develop, find real work and reduce welfare dependency.
Contact: Email – sandra.mitchell@wunan.org.au | Phone – 08-9166 5769
Manager – Employment Strategies
Growing up in country NSW, Sandra started her career as an award-winning cadet journalist in NSW who then entered media monitoring with an emerging company in Sydney that became the industry leader.
Sandra then entered public relations and communications roles in the Northern Territory, with main roles including public relations at Royal Darwin Hospital (including during the first Bali bombings) and heading up Media and Corporate Communications for NT Police, Fire and Emergency Services.
She then moved to the Australian Government leading a team with responsibility for Law and Order Measures under the NT Emergency Response before moving to Kununurra and managing the Indigenous Coordination Centre for the East Kimberley.
Sandra leads Wunan’s employment strategy, assisting Aboriginal people to develop, find real work and reduce welfare dependency.
Contact: Email – sandra.mitchell@wunan.org.au | Phone – 08-9166 5769
Paul Isaachsen
Manager – Living Change
Paul grew up in Perth and started his career at the Department of Justice, working on reforms to strengthen WA’s domestic violence laws.
Paul undertook his articles at Blake Dawson, and was admitted as a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Western Australia in 2006. He worked on several matters for BHP Billiton and was seconded to the firm as an in-house counsel in 2007.
Prior to joining Wunan in August 2011, Paul was a senior adviser in the Strategy and Delivery Division of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, where he worked on a diverse range of issues from health reform to macroeconomic resilience to digital productivity.
Paul holds first class honours degrees in arts and law from the University of Western Australia, and a master in public policy from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.
Paul leads Living Change, a pioneering, community-led initiative for social and economic renewal in the East Kimberley.
Contact: Email – paul.isaachsen@wunan.org.au | Phone – 0429 214 621
Manager – Living Change
Paul grew up in Perth and started his career at the Department of Justice, working on reforms to strengthen WA’s domestic violence laws.
Paul undertook his articles at Blake Dawson, and was admitted as a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Western Australia in 2006. He worked on several matters for BHP Billiton and was seconded to the firm as an in-house counsel in 2007.
Prior to joining Wunan in August 2011, Paul was a senior adviser in the Strategy and Delivery Division of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, where he worked on a diverse range of issues from health reform to macroeconomic resilience to digital productivity.
Paul holds first class honours degrees in arts and law from the University of Western Australia, and a master in public policy from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.
Paul leads Living Change, a pioneering, community-led initiative for social and economic renewal in the East Kimberley.
Contact: Email – paul.isaachsen@wunan.org.au | Phone – 0429 214 621