Our Board & Executive Team

IAN TRUST - Executive Chair

A local Gija man from Wuggubun Community, Ian speaks English and Kriol (of the English Creole Language family). Ian has a strong and coherent vision of a better future for Aboriginal people in the East Kimberley — a future beyond welfare and government dependency. 

Ian has been with Wunan since its inception in 1997, serving as Executive Director since 2004. He spearheads Wunan's strategy for economic empowerment, enabling sustainable programs to uplift Aboriginal communities in the East Kimberley.  

Ian's involvement extends to national and regional organizations, including the Indigenous Land Corporation and Kimberley Development Commission. He's committed to nurturing emerging Aboriginal leaders for community-driven development. Ian also chairs the East Kimberley Empowered Communities Group. 

• Founding Chairman, Wunan Foundation (1997-2003) 
• Ian has additionally served as Chairman and held directorial positions at: 
  • Indigenous Business Australia (IBA) 
  • Indigenous Land Corporation (ILC) 
  • Aarnja Board, West Kimberley 
  • North Regional TAFE 
  • ATSIC Commissioner (Kimberley) 
  • Chairperson of Wunan ATSIC Regional Council

Ian has worked tirelessly to progress this vision through such initiatives as the ATSIC Regional Council’s “future building” strategy (1996), the East Kimberley Aboriginal Achievement Awards, reforms in the Aboriginal Housing and Infrastructure sector, and as Executive Director of Wunan Foundation.

JAMIE ELLIOTT - Deputy Chair

Jamie Elliot works to address a wide variety of challenges in the Aboriginal health, housing, education, sporting and community liaison areas. He is experienced in taking a hands-on role, as well as viewing things from a big-picture perspective and over the years he has gained a broad range of knowledge and professional experiences, especially in relation to Aboriginal communities in Western Australia. 

Jamie is highly respected within his community and he now seeks to further his involvement, combining his business acumen with his desire to contribute to his community. He sees his role as a Director on the Wunan Board as an ideal way to work with a group of like-minded individuals to achieve something special. He is passionate about providing meaningful advice and leadership on behalf of his people. 

Jamie and his wife Tracey were the founding house parents of Wunan’s Dural Education Excellence Program. 

Jamie has additionally held directorial positions at: 

• Highways Traffic Kimberley and Cornerstone Resourcing 
• Aboriginal Lands Trust 
• former Deputy Chair of Tjurabalan Native Title Aboriginal Corporation 

TOM BIRCH - Director

A traditional owner of Balangara Native Title (Wyndham area), Tom speaks English and Kriol (of the English Creole Language family). 

Tom sees poor educational and employment outcomes are the key issues impacting Aboriginal people in the East Kimberley. These are underpinned by a lack of parental responsibility for children and a breakdown of family structures. Tom works through the Wunan Board to encourage personal responsibility, educational solutions and reward for effort. 

Tom worked for many years in the Kimberley pastoral industry before taking up various community Leadership roles. He focused particularly on restoring Native Title and improving the economic future of Kimberley Aboriginal people. 

• Director since 2002 
• Formerly Wunan Chairman 2002-2007 
• Deputy Chairman, Kimberley Land Council (KLC) 
• Director, Kimberley Language Resource Centre (KLRC) 
• Director, Kimberley Aboriginal Law and Culture Centre (KALACC) 
• Formerly Director, Wunan ATSIC Regional Council

MICHAEL ASHFORTH - Director

With nearly thirty years in law, investment banking and corporate advisory, Michael has played a leading role in some of Australia’s largest and most complex mergers and acquisitions acting for local and offshore clients. Over the course of his career, he has been a partner of Freehills (one of Australia’s largest law firms) a Managing Director with Gresham Partners (one of Australia’s leading independent corporate advisory firms) an Executive Director with Macquarie Capital and the Executive Chairman of AMB Holdings, the holding company for Angela Bennett’s corporate interests. He has also been a director of a number of private and publicly listed companies and was a Member of the Australian Takeovers Panel for nine years.

TROY ZAFER - Director

Troy is the Managing Partner of ZAC Creative, an award winning advertising production company which produces TV ads and online videos for clients across the globe. 

Over the past 23 years Troy has been building businesses and managing teams in the Advertising and Technology industries in Australia and the UK which have worked with many of the world’s leading brands. 

Troy, who worked alongside Ian Trust to produce the ‘Swimming The River’ and the ‘Pathway To Empowerment’ videos, is passionate about helping to bring equality to all Australians. Troy is also the co-founder and CEO of Aura, One of Australia’s newest cash back reward programs, Aura Buy Invest Donate, combining cash rewards with investment options and a strong philanthropic focus. Troy has also conceptualised Wunan Media, established to give people in the East Kimberley employment opportunities in the media production industry. 

JEAN O’REERI - Director

Jean is a Wilinggin woman from Karunjie Station on the Gibb River Road. She has lived and worked in Wyndham in the East Kimberley region since the 1960s. Jean worked as an Aboriginal teaching assistant for over 20 years, most recently with pre-primary aged children at St. Joseph’s School in Wyndham. 

Jean has held directorships with Ngnowar Aerwah Aboriginal Corporation in Wyndham, which provides alcohol and other drug treatment and rehabilitation programs to community members and is a current member of the Wyndham advisory group. 

LEXIE TRANCOLLINO - Director

Lexie is a descendant of the Kija and Karrajarry tribes. Lexie owns and operates a 100% Aboriginal entity, L.L. Trancollino Consulting which offers unique services to support unemployed Aboriginal people into jobs and walks alongside them during their employment journey to provide advice, mentoring and other specialist supports. Lexie has extensive industry experience in the Eat Kimberley and is a Certified ICAT facilitator. In addition to being a business owner, Lexie has qualifications in Aboriginal Community Development and Management, and Applied Science, as well as held numerous executive roles within government and community organisations. 

JEFF GOODING - Director

Jeff has over 16 years’ experience as an Independent Director working with Native Title holders in Trust Fund investment, and social and commercial development. He has extensive experience working alongside Indigenous leadership, negotiating Native Title, development, industry and community outcomes. Jeff is a long-term member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and is a current Justice of the Peace. His prior roles include his time as a WA State Public servant and his work as a Local Government Councillor, with over 30 years spent in leadership positions. This includes his time as Chief Executive of the Kimberly Development Commission, during which he was awarded the Public Service Medal in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List for his “Outstanding public service as a leader in the regional development in the Kimberley region of Western Australia”. 

PRUE JENKINS – Chief Executive Officer (CEO) & Public Officer

Originally from country Victoria, Prue has lived and worked in regional Western Australia for over 30 years and has a real connection to, and understanding of the priorities and needs of regional communities. Her career has focused on providing transformative leadership, people empowerment and steering organisational culture. Prue has experience working as General Manager, Chief Executive Officer, Director and consultant level in the Kimberley, Pilbara, Goldfields and Wheatbelt. She is well connected to government, industry and community sectors and has a passion for overcoming the challenges of delivering strategic initiatives and relishes the opportunity to work in partnership to develop innovative solutions. 

SHAN SHANMUGANATHAN – Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

Shan has been the longest serving Chief Financial Officer for the Wunan Foundation, helping drive the growth of the organisation whilst maintaining fiduciary responsibility. Shan is a Chartered Accountant and during his time with the organisation has been instrumental in developing business cases for various Social Enterprises and opportunities for the organisation. After a brief semi-retirement and role as a interim consultant in 2020 Shan has returned as acting CFO for the F23/24 period to reflect the current opportunities and financial skills and experience required by the Board and Executive.