*Divina D'Anna pictured second from left*

Aarnja’s Divina D’Anna is a strong Aboriginal woman who has worked extensively with Kimberley Aboriginal people, specialising in community consultations in the areas of native title, social impacts, self-empowerment and suicide prevention. Last year, she was nominated and then selected to be part of Jawun’s Emerging Leaders program. The program was first established in 2011 to support rising Indigenous leaders to understand and meet the opportunities and challenges of leadership roles. The program is part of Jawun’s broader vision to invest not only in established Indigenous leaders, but also in the next generation. Divina sees a clear path through the pitfalls that often await emerging leaders. “Although changes in generational leadership aren’t so simple in regions like ours, it’s about finding the balance between the old and the new. You can’t forget where the vision comes from. Good leadership involves keeping culture alive and letting it evolve in this new world we live in.” To read more about Jawun’s Emerging Leaders program click here.