Glen Brennan

Chairperson
MBA Melbourne Business School,
BA University of Canberra

Glen Brennan is a Gomeroi man from Narrabri in north-western New South Wales and has a diverse background incorporating the banking and government sectors, as well as private enterprise. Glen holds a Master of Business Administration from Melbourne Business School and has a passion for supporting Indigenous entrepreneurs. Glen has corporate experience in Indigenous engagement, finance and governance as well as practical experience as an Indigenous business owner. Glen has won many accolades, including a Queen’s Birthday Public Service Medal and a National Australia Day Council Medal, and was named in the top 100 Smartest and Most Innovative Australians by The Bulletin magazine in 2003. Based in Melbourne, Glen is currently Co-Chair of the Aboriginal Employment Strategy; a director of the Australian Indigenous Chamber of Commerce; and Chairman of 4 Mile Ventures Pty Ltd, a privately owned and operated Indigenous agricultural company.

Kristy Masella

Executive Director
Aboriginal/South Sea Islander woman, Dharumbal country
Master of Human Rights Law and Policy UNSW
Bachelor of Arts (Journalism) UQ
Westpac and Australian Financial Review 100 Women of Influence and Diversity Winner
Aboriginal Justice Award Nominee
National Trust Print Media Commendation Award recipient
Australian Society of Archivists Mander Jones Award recipient

Kristy has dedicated her life to empowering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. She has worked in Aboriginal Affairs for more than 30 years across many portfolios in both New South Wales, Queensland and the Northern Territory. Prior to the AES Managing Director role, she was the head of Social Justice for Aboriginal Affairs New South Wales and led a major review of the New South Wales Aboriginal Land Rights Act.

Jason Smith

Executive Director
Diploma in Management

Mob: Proud descendant of both the Kamilaroi (mother’s side) and Wiradjuri (father’s side) people.
Diploma in Management

Position: Executive Director and Senior Manager, Centre of Excellence

Jason has 15 years’ experience in the employment and education sector, including extensive experience in working in partnership with Aboriginal communities.

Jason has previously been a board member of the Walhallow Aboriginal Corporation which has responsibilities in the areas of health, CDEP and housing projects. Jason also sits on and is involved in a number of committees including Headspace – Tamworth, Northern Region Aboriginal Alliance, Greater Northern Skills Development Group, Tamworth Opportunity Hub, New England Region Training Awards and Northern Region Aboriginal Economic Development Committee.

Jason is currently the Senior Manager of AES’ Centre of Excellence and has led a major change strategy across the company in enhancing quality service provision and promoting excellence in management and administration.

Jason is a proud family man being married to wife Anna (also a proud Aboriginal woman) and father to son Steven. Jason has grown up in and around the Caroona and Werris Creek area in the North Western region of NSW.

“I am passionate about improving the lives of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people through employment and education.”