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Donald Betts
Acting CEO of Kinaway Indigenous Chamber of CommerceDonald Betts, Jr. served as a U.S. Kansas State Senator, Kansas State Congressman in the Kansas House of Representatives, and prior to moving to Australia, Donald was nominated to represent a major U.S. political party for a bid to the United States Congress.
As Managing Principal of Betts Law Company, he has extensive knowledge in dealing with business transactions, organizational structure, legal disputes, advocacy, Indigenous law and an overall view of the Australian Legal System.
Donald serves on multiple boards and committees. His strengths are governance, relationship building, and leadership development. Before joining Kinaway Chamber of Commerce as Acting CEO, he served as CEO of the Wurundjeri Woi-wurung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation, Jaramer Legal (Australia’s first national Indigenous owned law firm) and global #4 law firm Norton Rose Fulbright in Australia.
Donald specializes in commercial transactions, corporate advisory and corporate structuring in the energy and resources and agribusiness sectors. His strengths are economic development, governance, relationship building, and leadership development. He is driven to help Indigenous communities around the globe to be self-governing, independent, and growing.
Donald is an inaugural member of the RMIT Global Indigenous Trade Routes Program, the first graduating class of the AMCHAM Global Leadership Academy, past president, co-founder and Ambassador of the North American Australian Lawyers Alliance (NAALA – based in Melbourne, VIC), founding member and Vice President of the Australian United States Lawyers Alliance Inc. (AUSLA – based in Miami, FL ), founding member of the South Asian Public Affairs Council (SAPAC – based in Melbourne, VIC), Monash Law Clinics – director, founder and Director of Desert Springs Octopus, Director of Akana Ittatoba (Australia’s first privately owned Native American Company), Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Incorporated, and Alpha Nu Boule amongst others. In addition, he is an U.S. political correspondent on Australian news media outlets, contributing writer for the World Round-up section of the International Law Quarterly magazine and motivational speaker.
Karen Milward
Chairperson, Owner & Consultant at Kinaway Chamber of Commerce, Karen Milward ConsultingKaren has held senior policy and program management positions in Government and have been working and consulting in Aboriginal Affairs for over 20 years.
She has extensive experience working with First Nations communities at grassroots and organisational levels and up to peak body representative level. She regularly undertakes complex projects commissioned by government departments and their agencies. This involves assisting those who have lead responsibility for policy and program development and service delivery impacting on First Nations communities.
When not travelling with her consultancy work, Karen volunteers her time to progress the vision of many First Nations organisations in Victoria and one organisation on a national level. Karen Milward Consulting is very passionate about advancing the work and activities of these organisations.
Karen has extensive networks across Australia at all levels within government and strong connections with First Nations communities. She also has contacts with organisations across a broad range of initiatives across Australia - especially those targeting First Nations communities.
Travis Lovett
Commissioner at YoorrookTravis Lovett is a proud Kerrupmara/Gunditjmara man and Traditional Owner and the Deputy Chair and Commissioner of the Yoorrook Justice Commission who has spent his life advocating for truth and justice for First Peoples. He is passionate about practicing his Culture, working with Community and preserving Aboriginal languages.
Travis has held senior leadership roles in the Victorian Public Service, including as Executive Director and Acting Deputy Secretary, First Peoples State Relations, at the Department of Premier and Cabinet. He played key role in supporting Victoria to progress and implement Treaty and Truth telling.
He has also worked extensively supporting the rights of Traditional Owners across Victoria and in the protection of cultural heritage.
Prior to working for the Victorian Public Service, Travis also held senior roles with Aboriginal Victoria, the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, Court Services Victoria, and the Department of Justice.
Travis played a key role in the establishment and reform of the Magistrates’ and Children’s Koori Courts across the State of Victoria as the Manager of the Koori Courts.
In 2017, Travis was awarded the Young Indigenous Leader Scholarship by the Institute of Public Administration of Australia.
Gary James
Corporate Relationships Manager at Kinaway Indigenous Chamber of CommerceGary is a family man who resides in the South Eastern suburbs of Melbourne. He brings a wealth of experience to Kinaway in regard to relationship management and key stakeholder engagement. A real company man, he does the best he can to achieve the necessary results.
Gary is looking forward to providing major opportunities to our Kinaway members via our corporate partners.
Anssi Paatero, FACC
Vice President at Finland Australia Chamber of Commerce Inc. (FACC)As nominated President of the Finland-Australia Chamber of Commerce (FACC), Anssi spent 2023 scoping and sculpting the vision for the FACC's future as a relevant operator in the region, one that facilitates and maintains meaningful connections between Australia and Finland; in 2024, Anssi continues representing FACC and its members as Vice President and advocating incentives for multilateral business relations.
Outside his responsibilities with the FACC, Anssi builds professional networks as a part-time professional sailor and keelboat racing instructor. He also connects dots for environmentally sustainable offshore sailing projects landing on Australian shores, aiming to educate the youth about best sustainability practices.