Meet the EC-West Team

CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER

Mala has a deep understanding of Aboriginal culture, language groups, Kimberley genealogy and communities through extensive lived and professional experience. This is a result of Mala's diverse upbringing in Wyndham WA, her strong Aboriginal family connections and the work she's successfully led in senior leadership government and community-based roles over the last 15 years.

Passionate about social justice, collective impacts, economic development and capacity building, Mala is a proud mother of four sons with ties to various West Kimberley Aboriginal language groups, and holds qualifications in Justice, Business and Community Development after extensive study including at the University of Notre Dame and Deakin University.

Mala possesses expert facilitation, negotiation, mentoring and contract management skills. She is also a Justice of the Peace and volunteers on a number of committees.

CHIEF STRATEGY OFFICER

Martin (Marty) Sibosado is a Bardi Jawi traditional owner. His father’s family are Goolargoon Bardi originating from and still living at Djarindjin Lombadina on the Dampier Peninsula.

Marty is also a Yawuru traditional owner via his mother’s side. Marty has been advocating for a Kimberley Aboriginal Regional Authority for more than 30 years at numerous high-profile organisations and is now Chief Strategy Officer at EC-West.

Marty has long been involved in native title determinations and founded a number of Broome’s Aboriginal corporations, in particular developing training programs for young people and local media capability.

A former Shire Councillor, Marty is currently on a number of boards and acts as an advisor for the WA Government and corporate sector.

CORPORATE SERVICES MANAGER

Erina comes from a small town of Wakayama, Japan. At the mere age of 18 months, relocated to Broome with her parents during the pearling days when her father was a hard hat diver.

She has three children of Nimanburr and Yawuru decent and has been part of the Broome and Dampier Peninsula communities alongside her partner for 21 years.

For the last 19 years, Erina has been part of the Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services with extensive experience in finance, HR and administration.

Erina has now come on board with EC-West as the Corporate Services Manager and brings along her passion to extend her knowledge to our upcoming young Aboriginal leaders.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT LEAD

Darren was born and raised in Derby with connections across the West Kimberley and is passionate about youth leadership, service delivery in remote areas and assisting community members to understand local, state and commonwealth Government Initiatives that may impact their way of life.

Darren is a descendent from the Nyul Nyul and Bunuba nation through his father connections and Nikiyna, Bunuba and Gooniyandi nations from his mother’s parents’ connections within the West Kimberley region.

He is highly skilled and experienced in working in Government Departments and local Aboriginal Corporation under Community Development & Management, including working with Employment Service Reforms in the last 20 years.

He is really enthusiastic about transferring knowledge and experiences to our youth by way of providing mentoring and support to help them pursue their goals and aspirations.

A ‘people person’ and his strengths are demonstrated through his effective communication skills in assisting community members to understand complex issues or tasks that impact them and their family life journey.

He is a dedicated employee that considers assisting non-Indigenous colleagues with local cultural awareness and knowledge of the local area, the Aboriginal way of life living in the Kimberley, and is very respectful towards elders in remote communities having strong connections to the majority of Aboriginal communities within the West Kimberley region.

Darren is very excited with his new role at EC-West as an Engagement Officer for the Dampier Peninsula and Derby area and looks forward engaging with local community members from both regions to help bring change to where it matters.

M&E MANAGER

Alarna Maher is a proud Bardi, Jabirr Jabirr and Yawuru woman, raised in Broome and is the mother of three beautiful young children.

Alarna has spent her employment career working with Kimberley Aboriginal organisations for Kimberley Aboriginal people. She is passionate about building opportunities and progressing change for our people and in particular our young leaders.

Alarna is proud to be a part of an organisation whose intention is to better the social and economic circumstances of our mob and excited to be a part of a team who share the same desires, supporting each other to influence, lead and generate that change.

PROJECT COORDINATOR

Lauren, born in Broome is of Yawuru descent from her mother’s side.

She has the skills and experience working with Aboriginal not-for profit and corporate organisations in Broome and Melbourne.

Lauren holds qualifications in business and law and has background knowledge in business and legal administration, Native Title and events coordination.

As Project Coordinator, Lauren is supporting the development and implementation of the “Jirril Birrnyurdany” Aboriginal Early Learning and Parenting Centre of Excellence (JBACE) project.

CO-DESIGN OFFICER

Aaila leads culturally grounded co-design processes that centre Aboriginal voices and strengthen outcomes for families and young people across the West Kimberley. Since joining EC-West in 2022, Aaila has significantly contributed to the development and success of Ngurra Buru, a community-led initiative that which was co-designed and responds to the needs of street present young people at night in Broome.

A proud young Nimanburr and Yawuru woman, Aaila has strong ties to her Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, and Japanese heritage. Born in Broome and raised across the West Kimberley from the vast Eastern Indian Ocean to the coastline of the King Sound at La-Djardarr (Disaster Bay) on the Dampier Peninsula, Aaila brings deep cultural understanding, place-based knowledge and lived experience to her work.

 Aaila graduated Year 12 from Broome Senior High School in 2021 and completed a media and design course in 2023, reflecting her creativity and passion for design and communication. Her commitment to community leadership and advocacy extends beyond her professional role. As a member of the Empowered Young Leaders (EYL), Aaila was finalist nominated for the National Indigenous Times Indigenous Community Leadership Award, presented by The Hon. Hannah Beazley, Minister for Local Government; Youth; Minister Assisting the Minister for Training and Workforce Development. This recognition took place during the 2024 7NEWS Young Achiever Awards for WA at the Pan Pacific Perth on 7 June 2024.

“Aaila Cox-Tanaka from Broome, advocates for Indigenous rights as Project and Administration Officer of West Kimberley Futures. A resilient leader, she empowers youth, promotes cultural pride, and influences government decisions to improve outcomes for her community... Congratulations Aaila.”

 Her leadership, authenticity, and dedication continue to inspire others. Through her work with EC-West and her active involvement in youth empowerment, Aaila is committed to creating meaningful change for future generations.

ADMINISTRATIONS OFFICER

Jazsikah Cox is a proud Yawuru woman from Broome who enjoys spending her free time fishing and hunting. She comes from a family of twenty and adores teaching her children about their culture, history and traditions.

She is honoured to be as part of the EC-West team as the Administration Officer as this position fulfils her passions to working with community for community to create positive change for families and the young people of our future.