About
Our people have decades of expertise across industry, government, and education.
Deadly Futures is 100% First Nations owned and operated. The team uses 60,000+ years of knowledge, and the wisdom and approach of our Elders to guide and inform how we work with others to empower the next generation to thrive.
We are focused on breaking the cycle of disadvantage felt by First Nations communities. Deadly Futures will work with organisations and partners to design and deliver community-led and evidence-based solutions.
Our People
Mundanara Bayles
Board Chair
Mundanara Bayles is a Wonnarua, Bunjalung, Birri-Gubba and Gungalu woman. She is the Managing Director and Co-Founder of BlackCard, as well as the Founder of BlakCast, Australia’s first podcasting network that is owned and led by First Nations people.
She is internationally recognised for her teaching and learning skills as an Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy in the UK and sits on several committees and boards including the Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Business and Innovation Reference Committee, The Aboriginal & Islander Independent Community School and the Landback Foundation.
Mundanara also hosts the Black Magic Woman podcast where she speaks with notable First Nations talent from a range of industries and around the country.
Dr Mary Graham
Director
Dr. Mary Graham, a Kombu-Merri and Wakka Wakka person from South-East Queensland, has a distinguished 30-year career spanning government agencies, community organizations, and academia.
She served as the Commissioner for Queensland Corrective Services in 1992 and has been a dedicated lecturer at the University of Queensland, teaching Aboriginal history, politics, and philosophy. Collaborating with Dr. Lilla Watson, she taught courses like ‘Aboriginal Perspectives’ and ‘Aboriginal Politics’.
A prolific writer, Dr. Graham has contributed to the Aboriginal Encyclopaedia and various academic papers. She has also worked in Native Title research and produced documentaries like ‘Same place, my home’.
A member of the Ethics Council for the National Congress of Australia’s First Nations, she currently teaches with The BlackCard. In 2015, she was appointed Associate Adjunct Professor at UQ and received an Honorary Doctorate from QUT.
Erin Woolford
Director (incoming)
Kuyani-Arrernte Executive Leader, Erin Woolford is a multi-award-winning Aboriginal Affairs specialist with more than 25 years’ experience across the for-purpose, corporate, academic, Aboriginal community-controlled, government and professional services sectors working with regional, remote and metropolitan communities.
Erin’s specialisation is in economic development, strategy and program co-design, policy and legislative reform, human rights and advocacy, consultation and negotiations and leading large transformational projects.
She has held roles including Honorary Visiting Aboriginal Fellow at the Centre of Aboriginal Economic Policy Research at ANU, Indigi-X First Nations Global Leaders Alumni, PwC Australia People Council, Reconciliation Australia’s Elevate RAP Expert External Panellist, Through Leader on Mineral Council of Australia Indigenous Reconciliation Working group and until recently, the National NAIDOC Committee.
Currently, Erin is the Convener for Reconciliation Australia’s Community of Practice for Voice, Governance and Institutional Integrity and the First Nations Advisor to Urban Utilities’ Reconciliation SteerCo. which is chaired by the Company’s Chief Executive.
Yarraka Bayles
Director
Yarraka Bayles, a Wonnarua and Bundjalung woman with connections to Gadigal, Dawson River Murri, and Wiri peoples, has been deeply influenced by her family's involvement in media and civil rights activism.
An award-winning artist and media personality with over 30 years in media, hospitality, tourism, and the arts, she follows in her family's footsteps. Yarraka runs Murri Menu, a food business, and holds directorial roles in First Australians Fusion, First Australians Energy, and Deadly Futures, actively participating in her local First Nations community. As a senior facilitator at BlackCard, she is a sought-after speaker and educator, often involved in grassroots organisations.
Residing in Brisbane with her children and grandchildren, her family frequently features in documentaries and media, sharing their experiences as proud First Nations people.
William Trewlynn
Director (incoming)
William is a proud Nucoorilma, Anaiwan and Dunghutti man, Born and raised in the Western Sydney suburbs. As a devout Queer, social entrepreneur, collaborator, and facilitator, William has a strong work ethic and a goal-oriented mentality that has helped him achieve amazing outcomes as a business owner and community member.
William is a change advocate, and has held esteemed roles as the Chairperson of Gadigal Information Service (Koori Radio), the Deputy Chair of Sydney metro Aboriginal Council, one of the state's wealthiest landholders, Founder of BlaQ and CEO of BlaQ NSW First, Aboriginal LGBTQ+ peak organisation.
He holds intimate knowledge across governance, operations, and strategic direction.