Whadjuk Aboriginal Corporation Board Appoints Chief Executive Officer
Whadjuk Aboriginal Corporation Board Appoints Chief Executive Officer
The Board of Whadjuk Aboriginal Corporation is pleased to announce the appointment of Dominic Panaia as the Corporation's Chief Executive Officer on a three-year contract, with an option to extend for a further two years.
The appointment follows several months of Mr Panaia serving as Interim Chief Executive Officer during one of the most significant periods of organisational transition in the Corporation's recent history.
During this time, the Corporation has focused on restoring stability, strengthening governance, rebuilding organisational capability, and laying the foundations for the future. Significant progress has been made in rebuilding operational systems, progressing long-overdue membership administration, strengthening relationships with stakeholders, improving accountability, assisting in developing a Strategic Plan that will guide Whadjuk Aboriginal Corporation over the coming years.
Following extensive engagement with members and Elders, including the recent Over 55s Elders Gathering, the Board determined that the time was right to confirm the leadership that will deliver this next phase of the Corporation's journey.
Chairperson Charne Hayden said the decision followed careful consideration and was made unanimously.
"This appointment was not made lightly. Over the past several months the Board has had the opportunity to observe Dominic's leadership during one of the most challenging periods in the Corporation's recent history."
"In making this decision, the Board considered Dominic's demonstrated leadership as Interim CEO, including strengthening governance, rebuilding and stabilising the Corporation's operations team, improving organisational accountability, bringing the Board and Cultural Advice Committee together to work collaboratively, progressing the Corporation's strategic direction and providing stability during a significant period of change."
"The Board also considered Dominic's extensive professional experience and his commitment to delivering positive outcomes for our members."
"After carefully considering all of these factors, the Board unanimously resolved that appointing Dominic as Chief Executive Officer was in the best interests of Whadjuk Aboriginal Corporation and its members."
The Board acknowledged that appointing a Chief Executive Officer is one of its most important governance responsibilities.
Having observed Mr Panaia's leadership over an extended period during his appointment as Interim CEO and recognising the importance of maintaining continuity while implementing the Corporation's Strategic Plan, the Board determined that confirming his appointment provides the strongest foundation to continue the progress already underway.
The Board also reaffirmed its commitment to developing future Whadjuk leadership.
As part of its long-term vision, the Board will establish a succession pathway to identify, mentor, and develop future Whadjuk leaders into executive leadership positions, ensuring the Corporation continues to build leadership capacity from within its own corporation.
About Chief Executive Officer
Dominic Panaia is a Noongar man who was born and raised on Whadjuk Country in Boorloo (Perth), where he has lived for the past 47 years.
His family connections extend across Noongar Country through the Hill, Wallam, Jones, Cornwall, Harris, and Isaacs families, with connections to Wilman people of the Authur River, Kojanup, Wagin and Woodanilling, and the Bibulmun Wadandi people of Busselton and Margaret River region.
Growing up in Thornlie and Langford, Dominic was raised amongst his Elders, family, and community. Many members of Whadjuk Aboriginal Corporation are people he has known throughout his life through family, sport, community, and Country. Those lifelong relationships have given him a strong appreciation of the aspirations, challenges and resilience of Whadjuk people and the importance of building a corporation that genuinely delivers for its members.
Professionally, Dominic brings over 20 years of senior leadership experience across government, Mining, Aboriginal community work, and the private sector.
Throughout his career he has led multidisciplinary teams, managed complex operations, overseen procurement, and commercial contracts, delivered major infrastructure strategies, environmental and heritage projects, managed significant budgets and worked closely with Boards, Traditional Owners, government agencies, industry and community organisations as well as head contractors.
His experience includes executive leadership, corporate governance, procurement, strategic planning, Aboriginal heritage, environmental management, contract management, organisational reform, stakeholder engagement, and building partnerships that deliver lasting outcomes for Aboriginal communities.
Originally appointed as Whadjuk Aboriginal Corporation's Heritage, Lands and Environment Manager, Dominic was approached by the Board to assume the role of Interim Chief Executive Officer during a period of organisational transition.
Over recent months he has worked closely with the Board to stabilise the organisation, strengthen governance and restore confidence in the Corporation.
Working alongside the Board and the Cultural Advice Committee, he has helped rebuild positive working relationships, supported the development of the Corporation's Strategic Plan, assisted in progressing the Board's long-term strategic direction and focused on creating a united leadership approach that places members and culture at the centre of decision making.
During this period, he has also overseen the rebuilding and stabilisation of the Corporation's operations team, strengthened internal systems and governance processes, improved stakeholder engagement, directed the clean-up of long-overdue membership administration and worked to establish a more accountable, transparent, and sustainable organisation.
The Board also noted that Dominic is currently the only Noongar Chief Executive Officer leading one of the six Noongar Regional Corporations, reflecting its confidence in his leadership, professional experience, and commitment to serving Whadjuk members.
Mr Panaia said he was humbled by the confidence placed in him by the Board.
"I didn't seek this position. I accepted the Interim CEO role because the Board asked me to help guide the Corporation through a difficult period and provide stability while important governance matters were addressed."
"It has been a privilege to work alongside our Board, Cultural Advice Committee, staff, Elders, members and stakeholders during this period of change. I am honoured that the Board has now placed its confidence in me to continue leading the Corporation into its next chapter."
"My commitment is to continue building a strong, united and accountable Corporation by working alongside our Board, Cultural Advice Committee, Elders, members, staff and stakeholders. Together we will continue strengthening governance, protecting and promoting Whadjuk culture and heritage, creating employment, business and economic opportunities for our people, and delivering the strategic direction our members have helped shape for current and future generations."
“My Grandfather Les (Bardi) Hill was an elder and spokesman for his families over many years and I have only followed in the footsteps of my elders doing work for the betterment of our people. I am born from a strong Noongar Yorga, and she comes from strong Noongar yorga’s before her, I am salt of the earth, and I share the same blood through birth from my mother and my grandmothers before her right back to pre-settlement.
The Board thanks the Corporation's members, Elders, staff, Traditional Owners, proponents, government agencies and partner organisations for their ongoing support throughout the Corporation's transition.
With a clear Strategic Plan now in the works and a renewed focus on governance, accountability, culture and opportunity, the Board looks forward to continuing to build a stronger, more transparent and united Whadjuk Aboriginal Corporation for the benefit of all members.