governance

BOARD CHAIR AND PRINCIPAL AT SHAKTI LEGAL SOLUTIONS

Sheetal Deo (She/Her) is a legal professional, strategist, and intersectional DEI practitioner with a strong commitment to social justice and systemic change. She is the founder and principal of Shakti Legal Solutions. This innovative, low-bono law firm aims to improve access to legal assistance through a unique, ‘pay what you can’ model for eligible clients.

Sheetal was formerly the Education Director at Diversity Council Australia, where she led and executed their education strategy and continues to deliver their knowledge programs as an external facilitator.

Sheetal holds a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Political Science from the University of the Fraser Valley (Canada), and a Juris Doctor, Master of Laws, and Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice from Bond University (Australia).

Her intersectional approach is grounded in subject matter and lived expertise, and impact-focused, making her a sought-after speaker and consultant in the DEI space.

BOARD MEMBER - SERVICE DIRECTOR FOR WELLWAYS (NATIONAL)

Nikki is a Social Worker and Social justice advocate, and the human experience drives the way she works and lives. Respect, equity and inclusion are the foundation all she does.  Following 11 years in the refugee settlement sector, in Brisbane and Nauru, Nikki moved into mental health with Richmond Fellowship in Queensland. Now as the Director of Services for Wellways Australia, snhe leads the service delivery of mental health, disability and carer support programs across Tasmania, Victoria, ACT, New South Wales, and Queensland.

Born in South Africa under apartheid, travelling across the globe and seeing the disparity of wealth and working in Nauru where Nikki witnessed the impact of lost hope on resilient people. She now focussed her career toward justice and human rights advancement. Sitting on the Board of Ethni provides the opportunity to be part of an organisation with a powerful values alignment.

ADVISOR TO THE BOARD - SOCIAL ENTERPRISE AND COMMUNICATIONS - ZUKA STUDIO AND HUBSPOT

Nidhi Kalaiya is an immigrant settler from Kenya, and part of the Kenyan-Gujarati diaspora. She founded Zuka to centre intersectional collaborative methods of change with a focus on racial and gender equity.

Her diverse educational background in International Relations, Learning and Design is matched with her experience working across various industries from tech through to non-profits. Leveraging storytelling and education, she produces and hosts the podcast Not Your Token Hire, amplifying voices in the margins to disrupt the status quo one story at a time.

Nidhi’s portfolio includes collaboration with organisations like Kind Enterprises, Beyond Blue and the Equality Institute to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in workplaces.

ADVISOR TO THE BOARD - MENTAL HEALTH, LIVED EXPERIENCE PRACTICE - QUEENSLAND HEALTH

Zoey is an Asian Australian lived experience advocate who draws on her own mental health journey to support inclusion and wellbeing. She is passionate about amplifying multicultural voices and reducing stigma, walking alongside women and communities to foster authentic connection, understanding, and change. Her leadership is grounded in hope and a shared commitment to building safer, more supportive mental health systems for everyone

TREASURER - TARRAYS HEALTHCARE STAFFING

As the CEO and Founder of Tarrays Healthcare Staffing, Naomi leads a dynamic organisation that provides high-quality workforce solutions to aged care and healthcare sectors. Sjhe is deeply committed to fostering strong partnerships with healthcare providers and industry leaders to drive meaningful change in the aged care sector.

She has over a decade of experience in aged care and healthcare management, including leadership roles, Clinical Nurse Consultant, Care Manager, and Acting General Manager at Opal Healthcare—one of Australia’s leading aged care providers.

BOARD MEMBER

Eli has over 20 years of experience in Australia and overseas, leading community engagement, education, and capacity-building programs.

With a background as a teacher, youth worker, community development practitioner, and team leader, Eli is a strong advocate for inclusion and empowering young people.

Eli provides independent consulting and professional supervision in community development and youth work. Her practice is trauma-informed and collaborative, helping individuals and organisations grow their impact.

She is deeply aligned with Ethni’s mission and values, bringing experience in partnerships, strategic planning, governance, and operational design.

YOUTH REPRESENTATIVE

Maab is a student lawyer, co-founder of Sahra - the Sisterhood. She is also one of the graduates of our Future Female Changemaker programs.

It’s a pleasure for all of the Ethni team to have Maab here as representative to our Board.

SECRETARY AND ETHNI REPRESENTATIVE

Kim is the founder and CEO of Ethni. She has over 16 years experience in the community services and social enterprise sectors across a broad range of roles.

Her expertise is in start-up organisations and initiatives, where she thrives on drawing on her 'jack of all trades' skill set to bring a vision to life.

With the addition of her tertiary studies in Health Science and International Development, she has developed a strong passion for collective leadership, community development and building authentic youth-led initiatives that see our young women empowered as knowledge holders and leaders in their own lives and communities.