Our team
Wadawurrung Country | Wiyn Kalkkalk, Victoria Women's Workshop Credit: TJ Garvie
Co-leadership
Victor Steffensen
Victor Steffensen
Victor is an Indigenous writer, filmmaker, musician and consultant applying traditional knowledge in a contemporary context. Much of Victor’s work has been based on the arts and reviving traditional knowledge values, particularly Aboriginal fire management, with Aboriginal communities and non-Indigenous Australians.
Victor holds an Honorary Doctor of Science and is the author of several books, including the groundbreaking book, Fire Country.
Craig North
Craig North
Craig has 17+ years as a senior executive in Indigenous economic development and impact. Before this role, Craig was the founder of Indigenous Impact Pty Ltd, which was established in 2020 to support the development of Indigenous impact investment opportunities. Craig has held positions as a non-executive director on the board of Australian Native Food and Botanicals, a member of the Advisory Board for the Australian Circular Economy Hub, Deputy Chair of Queensland South Native Services and as an Executive-In-Residence at The Yunus Centre, Griffith University.
In 2016, Craig became the first Indigenous Chief Executive Officer of the Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation’s commercial agribusiness subsidiary. Craig has a Bachelor of Environmental Science, a Graduate Certificate in Business and completed an Impact Finance Innovations Program through a scholarship at the University of Oxford.Craig has 17+ years as a senior executive in Indigenous economic development and impact.
Before this role, Craig was the founder of Indigenous Impact Pty Ltd, which was established in 2020 to support the development of Indigenous impact investment opportunities. Craig has held positions as a non-executive director on the board of Australian Native Food and Botanicals, a member of the Advisory Board for the Australian Circular Economy Hub, Deputy Chair of Queensland South Native Services and as an Executive-In-Residence at The Yunus Centre, Griffith University. In 2016, Craig became the first Indigenous Chief Executive Officer of the Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation’s commercial agribusiness subsidiary. Craig has a Bachelor of Environmental Science, a Graduate Certificate in Business and completed an Impact Finance Innovations Program through a scholarship at the University of Oxford.
Fundraising and Partnerships
Brianna Delacour
Brianna Delacour
Brianna began her professional journey as a nurse, dedicating seven years to providing compassionate and holistic care. This experience instilled a deep appreciation for the power of community, well-being, and the importance of culturally informed practices. Driven by a desire to create broader systemic impact, Brianna transitioned into the non-profit sector, where she has since committed herself to championing initiatives that empower Indigenous communities.
Rachel Steffensen
Rachel Steffensen
Rachel is a proud Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander born and raised in Far North Queensland where she spent her childhood learning from her father the importance of land management, looking after Country and grassroots-led initiatives. Rachel’s passion is to make positive change within communities through supporting mob by strengthening partnerships and navigating the complexities of cultural protocols in a modern-day setting.
Communications
Rose Erdelyi
Rose Erdelyi
Rose began her communications career in fashion and design industries, spending more than 12 years working across marketing comms, PR, and brand strategy. Guided by integrity-led work, a deep respect for Indigenous Knowledge Systems, and a personal journey of cultural reconnection, Rose was drawn to Firesticks’ vision and values. She sees her work as a way to walk alongside community, respectfully share stories entrusted to her, and support a future where Indigenous Knowledge is recognised, valued and carried forward.
Ash Steel
Ash Steel
Ash's strengths lie in the design and delivery of communications solutions that empower communities and prioritise social and cultural justice. Throughout her dynamic career, Ash has combined skills in Arts, Communications and Graphic Design with Community Development, Advocacy and Human Rights. After graduating with First Class Honours in a Bachelor of Visual Communication, Ash began her career as a Graphic Designer. But a strong commitment to social justice and human rights drew Ash to Central Australia where she began working with First Nations community organisations in Communications and Community Development roles, including 6+ years with First Nations not-for-profit Children’s Ground. Ash recently completed a Masters of Human Rights to deepen her knowledge of the systems and structures underpinning injustice and inequality.
Systems and Impact
Michelle Kovacevic
Michelle Kovacevic
Michelle is a communications specialist and program manager with a passion for listening, learning and supporting people to share their stories. She’s got a decade of experience working cross-culturally in senior program management roles, assisting rapidly growing organisations in Australia and internationally to establish systems and procedures that streamline operations.
In 2015, Michelle co-founded the Youth in Landscapes Initiative – a global movement of 60,000 young people bringing positive change for the sustainability of their landscapes. She has also helped young farmers around the world access mentoring and investment for their ideas and coordinated a national movement to help people new to Australia build trust, belonging and connection with their neighbours over a shared meal.
Alex Bradbury
Alex Bradbury
Alex Bradbury is an experienced land management professional with a strong background in national parks, Indigenous engagement, and ecological restoration.
Alex has worked alongside Traditional Owner groups, ranger teams, and conservation agencies to support cultural burning, biodiversity monitoring, and Indigenous-led land management programs.
Passionate about native plants and restoring Country, Alex is dedicated to integrating Traditional Knowledge and contemporary science to strengthen the health of people, culture, and environment.
Stefan Starkovski
Stefan Starkovski
Stefan is a passionate advocate for living in harmony with nature.
He has a double degree in Law and Science (Geography) and previously worked at the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) where he challenged norms and fostered pioneering legal and policy changes. He managed a variety of projects and programs: from creative marketing, communications and education related to statewide composting of organics waste - to broader contaminants policy. He also helped incorporate Aboriginal perspectives in government decision making and environmental management, including through assisting with the establishment of the Aboriginal Peoples Knowledge Group.
Stefan has served the community across a variety of other roles including as a paralegal, tutor and basketball coach.
He loves to spend time outdoors and is fascinated with ways of understanding the world beyond modern western philosophies, systems and structures. Stefan is super excited to be a part of the monumental work Firesticks does in reviving traditional knowledge.
Sandra Steffensen
Sandra Steffensen
Sandra Steffensen, an artist and educator, has deep cultural roots through her maternal grandmother, who is from the Tagalaka people of the Gulf Country in North Queensland. With over two decades of experience teaching Senior Visual Arts and developing online curricula, Sandra emphasises the transformative power of Indigenous knowledge in education. Collaborating with her brother, Victor Steffensen, Sandra has illustrated children's books that celebrate and preserve Indigenous stories, such as 'Looking After Country with Fire' and 'The Trees'. Her art and teaching reflect a profound connection to Country, highlighting the importance of storytelling, land, and community in enriching lives and fostering understanding.
Grace May
Grace May
I specialise in data analytics, migration, spatial analysis, and automated workflows, making complex data more accessible and reliable. I'm passionate about building systems that free community organisations from data headaches so they can focus on creating impact. I'm currently finishing my Master of Artificial Intelligence at La Trobe University, and when I'm not working with data, you'll find me camping and hiking.
Emma Chapman
Emma Chapman
A Mutti Mutti, fresh water woman with a deep love of Country, Emma-Jayde Chapman brings a grounded and holistic approach to her work. Emma is a full stack developer specialising in building end-to-end systems across web and mobile platforms, with a focus on creating practical, reliable, and user-friendly digital solutions.
Alongside her technical work, Emma has experience working in and with community as a Social Worker and Aboriginal artist. Her practice is shaped by a strong commitment to caring for Country, kin, and future generations, weaving together culture, creativity, and systems thinking. She approaches both technology and community work with the same intention: to build in ways that are respectful, meaningful, and sustainable over time.
Finance and Administration
Nataleigh Wright
Nataleigh Wright
Nataleigh completed a Bachelor of Business at James Cook University, motivated by the need to increase Indigenous representation in the finance and accounting fields. Over the past 10 years, she has gained valuable experience across a range of industries, including private companies, government bodies and not-for-profit organizations. Nat is passionate about applying her skills to initiatives that create lasting, positive change for the community and future generations.
Community Network Support
Gebro Buli
Gebro Buli
Gebro has cultural and historical links to both Wik Mungkan, Thanakwith and Erub Island. With a background in Employment and Training, she has a passion for building capacity and capability in people, but especially mob. Gebro’s diverse work background has seen her liaise with a variety of people and so she has mastered the skills of community engagement and strategic planning.
Amber Webb
Amber Webb
Amber’s working background is in threatened species management and environmental restoration for non-profit organisations. Amber has built her project management skills through previous roles with Australian Ecosystems Foundation Inc. and Bush Heritage. With Bush Heritage, Amber’s role was targeted at the restoration of Snow Gum and Yellow Box woodlands, on Ngarigo and Ngunnawal Country. Amber is currently completing a Bachelor of Environmental Science (Ecology and Conservation) with Charles Sturt University and has completed a Certificate III in Conservation and Land Management. As part of her degree, Amber has worked in arid zone landscapes such as the Strzelecki Desert and Mallee Cliffs National Park. Amber is driven to continue working alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in returning Cultural Fire to the landscape and shifting contemporary fire regimes.
Gahdu Bagan (Southern Yuin, NSW)
Durramah Parsons-Campbell
Durramah Parsons-Campbell
Durramah is a proud Djiringanj/Yuin man with a deep connection to his heritage and Country. Durramah has a strong passion in traditional land management, environmental restoration, plant identification and traditional uses of native flora. Durramah has worked for many years with the Illawarra Local Aboriginal Land Council as a Leading Hand and labourer. Durramah holds a Certificate III in Aviation (Remote Pilot) and obtained a RePL License, blending traditional knowledge with modern technology. Durramah is passionate about caring for Country, committed to conserving cultural practices and keen to further his learning with Firesticks.
Koorin Campbell
Koorin Campbell
Koorin Campbell is a Djiringanj/Walbunja – Yuin, Thunghutti Traditional Owner. Koorin has experience doing volunteer work for National Parks and Wildlife Service in Narooma on Koala and Potoroo surveying projects. Koorin worked for 4 years with Catchment Management Authority / South East Local Land Services as a Field Officer on a Koori Work Crew where he completed his Certificate III in Conservation and Land Management.
Koorin has worked 6 years in the construction industry, where he worked on a number of projects, ranging from Southern NSW to works in Far North Queensland. He has also completed a Certificate III in Civil Construction and is competent on various machinery.
The Black Summer fires sparked Koorin’s interest in learning traditional methods of using fire, because of the devastating effect it had on the landscape and native flora and fauna.
Zachariah Campbell
Zachariah Campbell
Zachariah is a Traditional Owner from the Djiringanj/Walbunja–Yuin and Thunghutti peoples. He began his career with the Merrimans Rangers soon after finishing high school, gaining hands‑on experience across cultural heritage and environmental projects. His work included artefact site identification in Cooma (NSW), endangered and threatened species surveys—such as koalas, greater gliders and endangered owls—as well as geomapping and drone surveying of Merrimans LALC land parcels.
Zachariah started his Cultural Fire journey with Firesticks by participating in Cultural Burns in Bega and Murrah during 2019–2020. He later joined the Southern Yuin Mentoring Program, where he quickly distinguished himself as a standout young leader. In 2023, he was selected to attend Custodians of Country in Cairns, hosted by the Djabugay community and Firesticks, in recognition of his commitment to cultural land management and community knowledge.
Richard Campbell
Richard Campbell
Richard Campbell is a Thunghutti and Djiringanj man who has lived and worked across both tribal areas throughout life. These connections have shaped Richard’s commitment to community, Country and culturally grounded governance, and continue to underpin the way he approaches his work today.
Richard brings more than 20 years’ experience working across Aboriginal organisations in New South Wales, with extensive knowledge of the Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983 and the legislation that supports and governs Aboriginal Land Councils. Prior to joining Firesticks, Richard held a range of senior administrative and leadership roles, including six years as Chief Executive Officer of the Thunghutti Local Aboriginal Land Council in Bellbrook, NSW.
Through this work, Richard developed a deep understanding of Aboriginal community governance, community politics and the importance of strong, respectful interagency partnerships. Richard is committed to supporting Aboriginal communities through culturally informed leadership, effective administration and collaboration grounded in respect for Country and community, and sees his role with Firesticks as an opportunity to continue walking alongside community on Country.
Central West NSW and Greater Sydney NSW
Peter Townsend
Peter Townsend
Peter Townsend is a Traditional Custodian of the Wiradjuri, Wayilwan and Gamilaraay Nations of Western and North-Western NSW. He grew up in his father’s homelands on Wayilwan country, where he found his passion for his culture. Pete has a background in the Environment, Culture and Heritage and Land Management fields, where he has spent the last 20 years or so of his life working in Local Aboriginal Land Councils as a Culture and Heritage and Sites Officer. Pete has completed his Conservation and Land Management training from Cert 1 to Diploma level. He also has a Certificate 4 in Frontline Management. Pete is a current member of the NSW Aboriginal Culture and Heritage Advisory Committee.
Northern NSW and Southeast QLD
Germaine Paulson
Germaine Paulson
Germaine carries songline and story responsibility for Mununjali mob, which led him to engage in caring for Country as a part of his cultural responsibilities. Germaine worked with Firesticks to help build a land management plan for the community property using the methodologies of the old people and re-establish identity to Country. Before this, Germaine was employed by the Southeast Regional Department of Education to assist teachers in connecting cultural perspectives to the curriculum and re-engaging young people in education.
Germaine also worked for Mununjali Housing as a community support worker. Through his work in the community service space and connecting with Firesticks around traditional land care practises, Germaine came to recognise the connection between the health of a people in community and the health of Country. Germaine sees every day as a privilege to walk Country with community while fulfilling cultural responsibilities as Custodians of Country.
Matthew Whitelock
Matthew Whitelock
Matthew is a dedicated advocate for Cultural Land management, driven by a lifelong connection to his culture and the outdoors. His three-year journey with Firesticks was inspired by a deep desire to care for Country. From a young age, Matthew immersed himself in his Indigenous culture, participating in NAIDOC week events, programs like Titans for Tomorrow and AIME, and learning from Elders. He most enjoys the continuous learning from various mobs, forging lifelong friendships, and sharing his extensive knowledge, especially in ethnobotany. Matthew's interest in cultural burning as a land management tool grew after reading "Fire Country" in 2020. This led him to a role as an Indigenous Ranger on the Gold Coast, where he was introduced to Cultural fire practices before joining us in late 2022. Matthew sees people and nature as intertwined, advocating for Indigenous land management as a model where everyone wins.
Lionel Currie
Lionel Currie
Lionel Currie brings more than 20 years’ experience working across Cultural Fire, conservation and community‑led programs, with a strong connection to Country and community at the heart of his work.
Lionel has extensive experience coordinating on‑Country operations, working closely with Traditional Owners, and supporting practical, outcomes‑focused programs that are grounded in Cultural Knowledge and respect for Country.
In his role as On‑Country Program Coordinator with Firesticks’ Mununjali and Julnair teams, Lionel has hit the ground running - already working alongside community to prepare sites for upcoming programs and workshops. Returning to Minjehla Dhagun is a full‑circle moment for Lionel, and one that reflects his ongoing commitment to supporting community‑led work and caring for Country.
Far North QLD
Cody Steffensen
Cody Steffensen
Cody is highly skilled in on-ground work and excels at connecting with communities to achieve meaningful outcomes. With a strong background in landscaping Cody has grown up alongside his father, learning to care for country using fire and other traditional methods. His deep drive to support First Nations aspirations is evident in his dedication to on-ground workshop coordination and community engagement. Cody is passionate about supporting and connecting with mob, his mix of practical land management skills and community engagement makes him a positive asset to strengthen project delivery.