The IMF Board

Qualifications: Master of Education Leadership (ACU)

Joined the Board of IMF in 2013.

Peter holds a Master of Education Leadership and is currently the CEO of Hands Across Canberra. Mr. Gordon established Hands Across Canberra with others to create a new approach to philanthropy in the ACT. Hands Across Canberra also manages the Chief Minister’s Charitable Fund which seeks to advocate for and raise money for over 360 local community organisations all of whom work with our most vulnerable. Peter chairs a number of NSW community engagement committees in the renewable energy and industrial infrastructure fields. He is on the Board of the National Centre for Australian Children’s Literacy. Peter has worked in public administration with the Federal, Western Australian and ACT Governments.

Qualifications: Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) ANU; Advanced Management Program – Harvard Business School. Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD).

Joined the Board of IMF in December, 2019

Ayesha brings a wealth of commercial knowledge and expertise obtained through her career as a senior executive in the energy industry. Her pragmatic and strong customer centric approach has helped teams translate strategic intent into measurable results, through a range of operational and transformational programs. Ayesha is extremely passionate about diversity and inclusion and has sat on a number of community organisation boards. She is committed to the values and work of the Indigenous Marathon Foundation, and the impact it has on people and on the community as a whole. Ayesha is also a graduate member of the Australian Institute of Company Director and was the ACT recipient of the 2017 Corporate Telstra Business Women Award.

Qualifications: Bachelor of Business (QUT), Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD).

Joined the Board of IMF in December, 2019

Bianca is a corporate affairs professional with experience in community relations and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander affairs in the mining, energy, and public sectors. She is currently the First Nations Manager at Australia’s clean energy pioneer, Windlab.

Bianca has delivered shared value from Reconciliation Action Plans, Indigenous Land Use Agreements (ILUA), and community engagement strategies driven by opportunities from connecting company and community aspirations. She forms and maintains great relationships with people to help shape trust.

Bianca is a proud Torres Strait Islander woman. In 2011, Bianca participated in Robert De Castella’s Indigenous Marathon Project, where she was part of the first cohort of female Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to run the world’s biggest marathon, the New York City marathon.  She is still heavily involved in the Indigenous Marathon Foundation, including being a Board Director.  Bianca is also an external advisor for the Australian Renewable Energy Agency.

Qualifications: Bachelor of Sport Management (UC); Bachelor of Sport Studies (Hons) (UC). PhD candidate due to finish 2023.

Joined the Board of IMF in December 2022

Stirling is a proud Aboriginal man descending from the Awabakal people. He is a lecturer in Sport Management at the University of Canberra. He holds a Bachelor of Sport Management and an Honours degree in Sport Studies and is also nearing the completion of a PhD. Stirling’s research follows two streams – sport governance, policy, and human resources; and Indigenous sport including the use of sport as a vehicle to facilitate social impact. Stirling has won competitive research funding totaling more than $300,000 and published more than 25 academic manuscripts including an edited text book for university students. Additionally, Stirling has published four children’s books as part of Library For All’s Our Yarning collection. Stirling is a Non-Executive Director of the Sport Management Association of Australia and New Zealand, and, the Physical Activity Foundation. Stirling is also an advisory Board member of the Library For All – Our Yarning Advisory Council, and, Calleo Indigenous – Development Advisory Committee. Stirling has an ongoing connection to the Indigenous Marathon Foundation and proudly wears his supporter shirt in every race. Stirling completed his first marathon on the Gold Coast in July 2022 after being inspired by the IMP graduates.

Qualifications: Bachelor of Economics (ANU); Bachelor of Laws (Hons) (ANU); Master of Laws (Government & Commercial) (Merit) (ANU); Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD)

Joined the Board of IMF in December 2022

Simonetta is the founding partner of the Canberra office of Maddocks, a national Australian law firm, and is a member of the firm’s Board and the Commonwealth Sector Leader. Simonetta is widely recognised as being an outstanding lawyer for government, with expertise in probity and process, governance, and general commercial and public law. Simonetta has received extensive professional recognition including being named an Elite Woman 2022 by Australasian Lawyers; ranked in Doyle’s Guide as one of Australia’s leading public and administrative lawyers; was named Government Partner of the Year at the 2019 Australian Law Awards; and is regularly voted by her peers as Best Lawyers Lawyer of the Year in fields such as Government, Corporate and Governance and Regulatory Practice.

Simonetta was the original driver of the longstanding arrangement through which Maddocks proudly provides pro bono legal and other support to the IMF. She is passionately committed to, and continues to be deeply inspired by, the work of the IMF and the incredible First Nations people who participate in all the opportunities created by the IMF. She has served as a member of the IMF’s Frontrunners’ Grants Committee and joined the IMF Board in 2023.

Simonetta is also Chair, Canberra Grammar School.

Joined the Board of IMF in December 2022.

Eoghan is currently the Chief Executive Officer of Ronald McDonald House ACT & SE NSW. Prior to this role Eoghan was the Director of Advancement at the University of Canberra for eight years and General Manager of Canberra FM Radio for 12 years.

Eoghan has extensive experience in all aspects of philanthropy. Eoghan has served as Board Director for Camp Quality, Communities at Work and Snowy Hydro SouthCare Rescue Helicopter service. He is currently a Board Director for the Indigenous Marathon Foundation.