The MJD Foundation has around 50 staff members, ranging from clinical nurses and allied health professionals to family support workers, Aboriginal community/health workers, managers and administrative support. 45% of our staff are Aboriginal and 15% are Living with a Disability. We also rely on a team of volunteers to support some of our programs.
Nadia is the CEO and co-founder of the MJD Foundation which launched in 2008. Nadia brought her business, stakeholder and management skills from over 20 years as a business consultant and business owner delivering business and IT services to clients across Australia, North America, New Zealand, and Europe.
Nadia is passionate about equitable access to services regardless of a person’s postcode, and dedicates significant time to advocating for improved service delivery policies for remote Aboriginal communities, and practical solutions to the many barriers that exist in remote and very remote communities.
Nadia is the CEO and co-founder of the MJD Foundation which launched in 2008. Nadia brought her business, stakeholder and management skills from over 20 years as a business consultant and business owner delivering business and IT services to clients across Australia, North America, New Zealand, and Europe.
Nadia is passionate about equitable access to services regardless of a person’s postcode, and dedicates significant time to advocating for improved service delivery policies for remote Aboriginal communities, and practical solutions to the many barriers that exist in remote and very remote communities.
Libby grew up at Angurugu on Groote Eylandt and her family lived there for nearly 40 years.
She has known the Groote MJD families since she was a small child and having had the opportunity to study Occupational Therapy, Public Health and Law, ‘down south’ believes passionately in the need to provide equality in care options in remote communities.
In collaboration with Anglicare NT, Libby project managed the development of the Aged Care Facility at Angurugu and helped establish the programs that operate from it. She saw the MJD Foundation as the logical next step to secure a dignified future for the families with MJD on Groote Eylandt and across the other remote communities where it occurs.
Libby is responsible for the MJDF's Research and Education programs.
Libby grew up at Angurugu on Groote Eylandt and her family lived there for nearly 40 years.
She has known the Groote MJD families since she was a small child and having had the opportunity to study Occupational Therapy, Public Health and Law, ‘down south’ believes passionately in the need to provide equality in care options in remote communities.
In collaboration with Anglicare NT, Libby project managed the development of the Aged Care Facility at Angurugu and helped establish the programs that operate from it. She saw the MJD Foundation as the logical next step to secure a dignified future for the families with MJD on Groote Eylandt and across the other remote communities where it occurs.
Libby is responsible for the MJDF's Research and Education programs.
Gayangwa is a Warnindilyakwa woman of Groote Eylandt. She is 79 years old, and Machado Joseph Disease has been a part of her life as long as she can remember.
Her father developed the disease when he was an older man, and all 6 of her brothers and sisters were affected by their 40s. She was the primary carer for two of her sisters’ children for over 15 years. Now the third generation of her family is sick - her 21 year old niece passed away in 2014, and she has nieces, nephews and grandchildren with the disease.
Few people have the insight and experiences living with the disease that Gayangwa has, and she brings to her role within the MJD Foundation a fierce determination to improve life for her family. Her journey through ‘shame' and ‘blame' to proud champion is an encouragement to the many people she meets and her quiet dignity and perseverance for them is an inspiration.
Gayangwa is a Warnindilyakwa woman of Groote Eylandt. She is 79 years old, and Machado Joseph Disease has been a part of her life as long as she can remember.
Her father developed the disease when he was an older man, and all 6 of her brothers and sisters were affected by their 40s. She was the primary carer for two of her sisters’ children for over 15 years. Now the third generation of her family is sick - her 21 year old niece passed away in 2014, and she has nieces, nephews and grandchildren with the disease.
Few people have the insight and experiences living with the disease that Gayangwa has, and she brings to her role within the MJD Foundation a fierce determination to improve life for her family. Her journey through ‘shame' and ‘blame' to proud champion is an encouragement to the many people she meets and her quiet dignity and perseverance for them is an inspiration.
Vanessa joined the MJD Foundation in October 2021 as our HR Manager. Vanessa is based in Darwin, from where she supports us on all human resources related matters.
Vanessa grew up living in a few countries on various continents, but lived in Amsterdam (the Netherlands) for most of her life before coming to Australia in 2015. Vanessa is a Work & Organisational Psychologist, who specialised in human resources management. Vanessa has a special interest in organisational culture and looking for more meaningful & innovative approaches to management and performance. She is a strong advocate and believer in empowerment and self-management. When Vanessa isn’t caught up with her busy family with 4 young children, she enjoys camping, nature, music, hanging out with friends and practising the art of storytelling…..and might even enjoy the chance to read a book every now and then!
Vanessa joined the MJD Foundation in October 2021 as our HR Manager. Vanessa is based in Darwin, from where she supports us on all human resources related matters.
Vanessa grew up living in a few countries on various continents, but lived in Amsterdam (the Netherlands) for most of her life before coming to Australia in 2015. Vanessa is a Work & Organisational Psychologist, who specialised in human resources management. Vanessa has a special interest in organisational culture and looking for more meaningful & innovative approaches to management and performance. She is a strong advocate and believer in empowerment and self-management. When Vanessa isn’t caught up with her busy family with 4 young children, she enjoys camping, nature, music, hanging out with friends and practising the art of storytelling…..and might even enjoy the chance to read a book every now and then!
Jacquie joined the MJD Foundation in November 2022 as the Chief Operating Officer. Jacquie has a long history of working and living in remote communities and in organisations supporting improved health and wellbeing for First Nations people. Jacquie is passionate about improving organisations’ business systems and processes so they can focus on helping those in need. She has extensive experience in people leadership, strategy, performance monitoring, risk and governance, and holds a Graduate Certificate in Applied Business.
In her personal life, Jacquie finds peace in exploring the outdoors, cooking up a storm for family and hanging out with her teenage sons.
Jacquie joined the MJD Foundation in November 2022 as the Chief Operating Officer. Jacquie has a long history of working and living in remote communities and in organisations supporting improved health and wellbeing for First Nations people. Jacquie is passionate about improving organisations’ business systems and processes so they can focus on helping those in need. She has extensive experience in people leadership, strategy, performance monitoring, risk and governance, and holds a Graduate Certificate in Applied Business.
In her personal life, Jacquie finds peace in exploring the outdoors, cooking up a storm for family and hanging out with her teenage sons.
MJDF acknowledges Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders both past and present. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this website may contain images, voices or names of deceased persons in photographs, film, audio recordings or printed material.
