Board

 
 
 

OUR MANAGEMENT TEAM

 
 

Stephanie Harvey
Chief Executive Officer

 

“I commit to leading with hope and optimism, with my vision and energy locked on to what life could be for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people ‘beyond the gap’. 

My motivation is that we all get to reach our potential. What we do at Community First Development works; it changes people’s lives – in the way they want it to change.”

Steph is a Bidjara woman from Queensland and a third sector leader with a career that spans government, community and NFP.

Steph has significant experience working with First Nations peoples in Australia and internationally. She is a Director of The Healing Foundation and the Australian Regional and Remote Community Services (ARRCS), a member of the Aboriginal Hostel Ltd’s Cultural Committee and was a member of the Charity, Philanthropy and Fundraising Advisory Group to the National CoVID19 Coordination Committee.

Steph has also been a  judge for many of the Telstra Business Awards and Telstra Business Women’s Awards.  She has qualifications in business and is a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and the Australian Institute of Management.

Steph devotes considerable energy to her passion for the rights of vulnerable people. She is committed to social and economic equity and the principles of self-determination. 

 
Copy of Untitled (8).png

Sharon Babyack
General Manager
Impact and Strategy

“My role is one of continual learning. I learn from our team in the field, my First Nations research colleagues and from the communities we work with. I am passionate about promoting self-determination for First Nations people. It is the principle we work to; an approach that has proven positive impact.”

 
Copy of Untitled (10).png

Tom Layton
General Manager
Operations

“I hope that we quickly move beyond the gap to a nation that is the envy of the global community. Envied for the health and life outcomes First Nations people achieve, for the way we champion and celebrate First Nations culture, and support a national dialogue that embraces cultural differences.”

Copy of Untitled (11).png

Ruth Hilton-Bell
Chief Finance Officer

“Being part of making a positive difference to support self-determination for Australia’s First Nations people is rewarding.  I like that we live our values and that those values align with my own. I hope that future opportunities available to First Nations peoples be no different to those of all Australians.“

 

Kathy Farrell
General Manager
Supporter Engagement

“I would like to see First Nations communities achieve the outcomes they have identified as being important to their community. I enjoy sharing their success stories through Stepping Stones; creating awareness and knowledge of the valuable contribution of our First Nations people.”

 
 
 

mEET THE COMMUNITY DEVelopment TEAM

We are a team of individuals with a passion to work together for the things we believe in – recognition and respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities – and their right to determine what they need to achieve positive change.

We work together with our volunteers to partner with communities, when invited, to make great things happen – new skills, better health and education, cultural preservation, business and economic planning and understanding – there’s a whole world of projects that communities use to create better lives for their people.  We’re here to work with our people and for our people.

Meet the Community Development Team.