LIVESTREAM – Breaking Ground Symposium: Women in Arts and Creativity Symposium

Kween G is an Afro-Australian artistic and cultural leader. A dynamic hip-hop artist, MC, community advocate, and curator, she is known for her unwavering commitment to both her own artistry and the support of emerging artists.

Often described as “consciousness-raising,” Kween G is a versatile performer. She is a key member of AfromBollo, a band led by Senegalese master drummer and dancer Yacou Mbaye. Her theatrical work includes standout roles in Urban Theatre Projects productions such as Home Country, Right Here Right Now, and Nancy Deni’s M’ap Boulé at Darlinghurst Theatre. She also served as the cultural curator for Send For Nellie, written by award-winning playwright Alana Valentine.

A passionate advocate for inclusion, social justice, and human rights, Kween G continues to make an indelible mark in the arts and beyond.

Professor Anita Heiss is an internationally published, award-winning author of 25 books across genres. She is a proud member of the Wiradyuri Nation of central NSW, an Ambassador for the Indigenous Literacy Foundation and a Professor of Communications at the University of Queensland. Her adult fiction includes Manhattan Dreaming, Paris Dreaming and Tiddas, which she adapted for the stage. Her novel Barbed Wire and Cherry Blossoms was shortlisted for the QLD Literary Awards and longlisted for the Dublin International Literary Prize. Bila Yarrudhanggalangdhuray won the 2022 NSW Premier’s Literary Prize for Indigenous Writing, was shortlisted for the 2021 HNSA ARA Historical Novel (Adult Category) and longlisted for the 2022 Stella Prize. In 2023, Anita released a children’s book Bidhi Galing (Big Rain), illustrated by Samantha Campbell, and became Publisher of her own imprint, Bundyi Publishing (Simon & Schuster). Her latest book is Dirrayawadha (Rise Up).

Dr Alexia Derbas is the Head of Equity and Inclusion at the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA). There she leads the institution’s strategy for supporting people from historically excluded communities to access work and education in the creative sector. Alexia was previously Diversity Arts Australia’s Research and Policy Manager, and has sociological expertise on the distribution and experience of social disadvantage in the settler-colonial context of Australia.

Anushri Sood is a multiplatform reporter at ABC News Sydney. She was previously a journalist at Channel Nine’s Under Investigation with Liz Hayes. Last year Anushri was awarded the Media Diversity Australia mid-year Walkley for an investigation into the killing of Kumanjayi Walker, making Channel Nine the first commercial network to receive this award. Before that, Anushri worked at Sky News and SBS Insight.

Belinda is a Ugandan-Australian producer/writer/actor. Her most recent acting credits include Apples Never Fall (Peacock), The Secrets She Keeps (Paramount), Five Blind Dates (Amazon Prime) & Interceptor (Netflix). Belinda holds a Bachelor of Arts (Performance Studies, Sociology) and Commerce (Marketing) from the University of Sydney. She is currently the marketing director at Life Charity Focus and is in pre-production for her upcoming series Going Home, developed with Screen Australia’s support. Additionally, she is establishing The Nansumba Foundation, a non-profit aimed at creating safe and accessible spaces for CaRM Australians to develop marketable screen projects.

Emerald Brunt is a young Pasifika-Australian artist making waves in the world of R&B and Hip Hop. From an early age, Emerald was already busking on the street, later attending and graduating from Newtown High School of the Performing Arts. Since then, Emerald has been writing, recording and performing all over Sydney, including for Kobie Dee’s Southeast Block Party, as part of the Art Gallery of NSW Opening Celebrations, for Bodega Collective’s Pass the Mic, as a featured artist for Offbeat Collective’s Lofi Jam, and at Liverpool City Council’s Urban Music Festival, South West Sessions. She was also named FBI Radio’s Independent Artist of the Week. Having released music solo and collaborated with artists such as AR the Eternal, Comar and Emjay Soul, Emerald is influenced by artists such as Jhene Aiko, Kehlani and Billie Eilish. Emerald fuses soulful RnB vibes as a singer, mixed with laid-back, chilled lyricism as an MC.

Fatma is an experienced community worker with extensive qualification in community development, cultural development and social welfare. With over 25 years of experienced, she has worked in various roles across NGO’s, local and state government, focusing on supporting new and emerging communities.

Fatma is the co-founder of Somali Welfare & Cultural Assoc, an organisation dedicated to building the capacity of African refugees and migrants in Western Sydney. Her commitment to community development extends to her role as the director of Africultures Festival, an initiative she co-founded 17 years ago, which celebrates African cultures and fosters community engagement.

A passionate volunteer, Fatma devotes much of her time to advocating for the well-being of African women and children. She firmly believes in the transformative power of community-led initiatives and works tirelessly to create lasting positive change within her community.

Shasha is a Western Sydney-based Chinese-Australian artist and advocate. She is currently focused on representing marginalised communities in issues relating to mental health, housing and rental security, as well as amplifying other POC artists, especially women and non-binary folx. She hopes her music can relieve what is now a world gone insane: “take a moment to rest and give your nervous system a hug.” She currently performs under @Feiloka, and has been busy working on releasing a new project.

Katie Shammas is from Galilee, Palestine living on Darug country in north-west Sydney. Katie is a member of Sweatshop Literacy Movement and is on the board of Arab Theatre Studio. She works in the environment and sustainability sector and is the mother of two daughters. She has been published in Meanjin, Povo, Kindling and Sage and Red Room Poetry.

Lena Nahlous is an experienced CEO, producer, curator, artistic director and facilitator with a long-term commitment to racial equity in the arts, screen and creative sectors. She is currently the CEO of Diversity Arts Australia and host of The Colour Cycle podcast.

She has extensive experience in designing and delivering training and education programs in a variety of tertiary, secondary, community and arts settings. Lena has over 20 years-experience in arts, cultural and media organisations where she has developed artist brokerage and training programs focusing on creatives from culturally and racially marginalised backgrounds and young people.

Lena’s recent achievements include receiving a Churchill Fellowship in 2023 and the NSW Premier’s Arts and Culture Medal, dedicated to Carla Zampatti, in 2024. She was honoured with the Western Sydney Woman Leader of Change Award in 2020.

In her former role as Executive Director of Arts and Cultural Exchange, she established initiatives like the Arab Film Festival, Switch digital media centre and Artfiles, an artist employment and engagement program. Lena’s recent projects include: the Shifting the Balance leadership report; the Creative Equity Toolkit; the Fair Play capacity building program, and I am Not a Virus Australia.

Lusi Austin is a multi-disciplinary creative, storyteller, and community advocate based on Wiradjuri Country in Cowra, NSW. With a background in drama performance and a deep commitment to authentic storytelling, she explores intergenerational and cross-cultural narratives through words, music, and theatre. Her children’s book, Jack’s Visit to Cowra, was the first to introduce young readers to the Cowra POW Breakout. In 2024, she wrote, composed, directed, and produced Intertwined, a musical that premiered to acclaim and is currently nominated for two CAT Awards. Named Cowra Citizen of the Year (2025), Lusi works closely with the Cowra First Nations community and has participated in programs with Regional Arts Australia and Diversity Arts Australia. As a homeschooling mother raising neurodivergent children while managing chronic illness, she brings a deeply personal and layered approach to her work, ensuring that regional voices and histories are shared with wider audiences.

With over 10 years of local experience as a community and cultural worker, Moones Mansoubi specialises in supporting newly arrived women and collaborating with artists from migrant and refugee backgrounds. She is passionate about social justice and fostering social cohesion through capacity building and community development in the community, arts and cultural sectors. Recognised as a community and cultural development leader, Moones has successfully managed numerous initiatives and projects that empower migrants, refugees, and people seeking asylum in Australia. Her work amplifies marginalised voices, particularly those of women and artists, by creating opportunities for storytelling, cultural exchange, and skill development. Moones holds a Master’s Degree in International Relations, which complements her hands-on approach to advocacy, capacity building, and community development. Her dedication to refugee rights and her ability to navigate complex cultural dynamics continue to drive meaningful change in the communities she serves.

Nancy Diaz is a passionate entrepreneur and powerhouse who lifts up womxn of colour through her work as a trauma-informed therapist, activist, financial empowerment coach, speaker, and podcast host. As the daughter of Mexican immigrant parents and a migrant in Australia herself, she specialises in working with womxn of colour who are daughters of immigrants. It is Nancy’s mission to help womxn of colour heal from trauma, learn to set culturally-safe boundaries, and feel empowered to look after themselves through radical self-care and community care. As a financial empowerment coach, Nancy is passionate about helping womxn of colour find the freedom and financial wellbeing they deserve. She believes in ending the wage gap for womxn of colour and helping them move from financial anxiety to financial abundance. Nancy is the host of The Global Citizen Therapy Podcast, a mental health podcast aimed to help daughters of immigrants feel seen, heard, and validated. Nancy empowers individuals from marginalised backgrounds including the LGBTQ+ community to roar and make themselves heard. Nancy has presented workshops and spoken on platforms that have reached many corners of the world and operates using a culturally-inquisitive approach where love and curiosity are at the centre.

Oumi Karenga-Hewitt is a Burundian-born, British writer, impact producer and community advocate based on Wiradyuri Country in Griffith NSW. With a background in marketing, digital content, and community engagement she has held roles across mission-based organsiations such as Regional Development Australia – Riverina, Country Universities Centre, and Mona Magazine. She is the current chair of Western Riverina Arts and was selected for the Screenworks Regional Producer Elevator Program and the Diversity Arts Australia Shifting the Balance Leadership Program. In 2023, Oumi co-produced a film currently in post-production, and coordinated the first Griffith Screen Industry Forum which saw nearly 50 people attend with guest speakers from Screen Australia, Screenworks, Screen NSW, EndemolShine Australia, ABC, and Media Mentors Australia. Oumi was also the Stage Manager for TEDxWagga Wagga 2023, and Curator of TEDxGriffith 2024. She was also selected as a teaching artist for NIDA Connect delivering Acting and Writing for Performance workshops for regional young people. Oumi’s script, “When All Is Said and Done”, was selected as a finalist in the inaugural Voices of Women Short Film & Script Festival 2025 and she has also been published in print and online across fiction and non-fiction with a focus on intersectional experiences of black women – then, now and always. A passionate performer, Oumi is embarking on her directorial debut with Griffith Regional Theatre’s 2025 community production of Mamma Mia! hitting the stage in September 2025.

Dr Paula Abood is a writer, community cultural development practitioner, creative producer and educator. For 30 years, she has worked with diverse communities in capacity building projects. Paula was awarded the 2007 Western Sydney Artists’ Fellowship for the blogging project Race and the City and was the 2013 recipient of the Australia Council’s Ros Bower Award for lifetime achievement in community cultural development practice. Paula is a leading trainer and educator on human rights approaches across the community, arts and education sectors.

Peta is a proud Dharug woman from the Booroberongal clan, of New South Wales. She began her performing arts journey at thirteen, studying all styles of dance at the castlereagh school of theatrical Dance then going on to train at NAISDA Dance College completing 2 years then later joining Aboriginal Islander Dance Theatre under the direction of Raymond Blanco touring Australia, Indonesia, New Zealand and Latin America.

Peta became a member of the celebrated Bangarra Dance Theatre in 2000, appearing in the Opening Ceremony for the Olympics Arts Festival, the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games and dancing n Skin, Corroboree and Walkabout And the opening of Canberra’s Museum of Contemporary Art.

Since leaving Bangarra Dance Theatre, Peta has worked as a freelance Performer, Choreographer, and Dance Teacher, and a Designer for costumes, props, and scenery.

Peta formed Jannawi Dance Clan in 2008 Jannawi Dance Clan is based at Murama Healing Space on wangal country. Jannawi is all about the continuation and revitalisation of Dharug language stories song and dance Jannawi is an intergenerational dance company with four generations, Peta’s Mother Pauline has played a pivotal role in Jannawi Dance clan working endlessly on Costuming and cultural adornments Peta is Cultural leader in her community.

Peta has worked closely with Matthew Doyle and Rhoda Roberts for over 20 years on many different projects.

Her extensive credits include Sydney Dreaming Festival, Rugby World Cup, Sydney Swans Reconciliation Match, Canberra’s World Leaders Conference, Woodford Dreaming Festival, artistic director of Woggan-ma-gule ceremonies for 6 years, the opening of the Musée du Branly in Paris, and the Utzon Memorial Ceremony.  Also including the  Blues festival and Boomerang festival for 6 years opening ceremony of Alliance Stadium, Ground loop film Art Gallery of NSW, and Judy Watson’s Skull Duggery response at Art Space Message Stick festival, Home ground festival Dance Rites Judges, performers and competitors winning the wild card, Badu Gili opening, Blacktown Native institute hand over to Dharug, Burramatta Naidoc celebrations, Warami program Parramatta, Lucy Guiren residency, Rainbow Serpent festival Melbourne, World Pride & Mardi Gras with Moogahlin performing Arts Vivid and Elevate festivals, Sydney festivals Dyin Nura, Military Tattoo, Fire fighter concert, Welcoming ceremony Sydney Olympic park ,The Vigil, Wugulora- ora and Mother’s Day ceremonies Barangaroo, various New Year’s Eve performances Sydney Opera House, The Boomerang Project touring New Zealand Womad festival Scotland and the Sydney Opera House, an Industry participant for the Coastal Dance festival with the dancers of Damelahamid, Vancouver Canada in January 2023. 

Peta and Jannawi Dance clan have done many many more various performances all around Darug lands too many to mention. Peta has made costumes for Naisda dance college for over 10 years and has made many other costumes for various different works.

Peta is also a proud mother of five children and grandmother of 3. 

Head of Strategy, People and Operations, NITV

Rhanna Collins is a proud palawa Tasmanian Aboriginal woman residing on Ngunnawal and Ngambri Country in Canberra. She became NITV’s Head of Strategy, People and Operations in 2023, one of several roles she has held at the channel since joining in 2014. She recently led the SBS network’s coverage of the 2023 Indigenous Voice to Parliament Referendum as Referendum Unit Lead for SBS and NITV. She previously led NITV’s News and Current Affairs team, overseeing daily news output and the weekly flagship current affairs show, The Point. She also led the launch of Australia’s first all-Indigenous breakfast TV show, Big Mob Brekky, as part of NAIDOC Week in 2020. She came to NITV via Foxtel, The Weather Channel and Sky News. Rhanna is on the board & Indigenous Advisory Committee of R U OK Day and is passionate about suicide prevention and mental health in First Nations communities.

Dr Roanna Gonsalves is the award-winning author of The Permanent Resident (UWAP). She is a recipient of a UNSW Vice Chancellor’s Award for Teaching Excellence, the Prime Minister’s Australia Asia Endeavour Award, and an invited Keynote Speaker and panellist at numerous local and international literary events. Roanna’s series of radio documentaries, On the tip of a billion tongues, and her radio essay Doosra: The life and times of an Indian student in Australia were commissioned and broadcast by ABC RN. She works as a Senior Lecturer in Creative Writing at UNSW, Sydney.

Rohini is poet / creative writer, arts-based researcher and academic. Rohini completed a PhD from Western Sydney University (2022) which focuses on marginalised migrant women in Oceania’s sporting platforms which she explores using an intersectional lens and arts-based methods. Rohini has worked on many research projects in the Western Sydney region with focus on migrant women of colour in sports, ageing citizens from CaLD backgrounds, people with disabilities, refugees, and LGBTIQA+ communities in Australia and Oceania. She is passionate about doing meaningful research with underrepresented communities in Western Sydney which she has called home for the past 14 years.

Rohini also has a strong teaching background with 20 years of experience in high schools, tertiary institutions and community covering areas of: English literature & language, cultural studies, intersectionality, engaging teaching pedagogies, sports sociology, adolescent health, disability studies and migrant women and sports.

Sandi is a creative producer, community development facilitator, and teaching artist with close to three decades experience. She has collaborated with, and worked for, independent artists and small to medium arts organisations in Western Australia, New South Wales and Queensland. Sandi has a wealth of arts and producing experience is passionate about the collaborative power between these two areas of practice to support organisations and artists to thrive as part of their creative pursuits. She has developed creative engagement projects with regional and marginalised communities and applies artist-led, community centred approaches to all her work – regardless of whether she is in a studio or in an office. Sandi is currently the Executive Producer at Contemporary Asian Australian Performance Ltd.

​Sara Mansour is a practising lawyer, a poet and the co-founder and director of Bankstown Poetry Slam. With Sara at the helm, Bankstown Poetry Slam has grown into the largest live poetry event in the country, attracting crowds of up to 2000. She also founded the first annual National Youth Poetry Slam in Australia.

Simone Amelia Jordan is an author, essayist, and journalist renowned for her innovative work in hip-hop media. As the founder of The Dream Collective, she champions diversity and mentorship, fostering growth for multicultural women in the arts and entertainment. Her debut memoir, Tell Her She’s Dreamin’, won the 2021 Richell Prize.

Suzy Wrong is a prominent theatre reviewer and activist, working on Gadigal land. Her website Suzy Goes See is approaching an unprecedented 2,300 theatre reviews, all written by herself, from over ten years covering the scene in Sydney. She sits on the judging panel of the Sydney Theatre Awards, and plays a critical part in championing diversity in that space. Suzy was last seen on ABC TV’s 2025 comedy series Optics, and is always looking for opportunities to revisit her first love of performance. Suzy has a radio spot, every Tuesday afternoon on Joy Radio, that allows her to address issues pertaining to feminism, racism and queerness.