Professional Development Team At Ripe Mentoring Pty Ltd

As the visionary behind Ripe Mentoring Pty Ltd, Ashleigh McGuire brings a rare blend of strategic high-level management and deep-rooted cultural integrity to every project. 

A proud Yuin woman with bloodline connections to the Stewart and Parsons families, Ashleigh has spent over a decade transforming lived experience into professional excellence.

With a background that spans navigating complex systemic barriers to achieving national recognition in the Australian Senate, Ashleigh specialises in bridging the gap between corporate requirements and community needs. 

As a Project Manager, she oversees large-scale infrastructure and cultural initiatives with precision. As a Business Coach and Grant Writer, she empowers First Nations entrepreneurs and organizations to secure the funding and strategic frameworks necessary for long-term self-determination.

An award-winning leader and 2026 global nominee for the Women Changing the World Awards, Ashleigh is dedicated to creating a "ripe" environment where Indigenous innovation and professional sovereignty can thrive.

Akaylah Dickson plays a central role in the daily operations and heart of Ripementoring Pty Ltd. As the Assistant Executive Manager, she provides high-level support to the leadership team, ensuring that our complex portfolio of projects—from infrastructure to community health—runs with precision and efficiency.

In her dual role as the Receptionist Manager of the Ripe Hub Co-Working Space, Akaylah is the welcoming face and professional backbone of our Nowra CBD headquarters. She manages the Ochre and Gadu boardrooms and co-working facilities, creating a culturally safe and high-functioning environment for local entrepreneurs and organizations to thrive.

Beyond her administrative excellence, Akaylah is a dedicated Youth Mentor. She brings a relatable, empathetic, and grounded approach to our youth programs, helping young people navigate challenges and find their own paths to success. Her ability to balance executive-level management with hands-on community mentoring makes her an invaluable asset to the Ripe team and the broader Shoalhaven region.

Brenton Hausmeister is the strategic engine behind the fiscal health and operational delivery of Ripementoring Pty Ltd. With a sharp focus on Finance and Project Management, Brenton ensures that every initiative—from large-scale government contracts to local community programs—is backed by rigorous planning and sustainable financial frameworks.

His role is vital in navigating the complexities of budgeting, financial forecasting, and resource allocation. By maintaining high standards of fiscal accountability, Brenton enables the organization to deliver on its promises to partners like Transport for NSW, NIAA, CreateNSW And Aboringial Affairs. His expertise ensures that our projects are not only culturally impactful but are managed with the professional precision required to meet federal and state-level milestones.

Brenton’s collaborative approach bridges the gap between the vision of our programs and the practicalities of their execution. His dedication to transparency and strategic oversight makes him a cornerstone of the Ripe team, ensuring that our growth is built on a foundation of professional excellence and long-term stability.

Jordan Taunton brings a vital perspective and creative energy to the Ripementoring Pty Ltd team, leading our efforts in Disability Inclusion and digital engagement. With a deep understanding of the barriers faced by people with diverse needs, Jordan ensures that our programs—and our physical space at the Ripe Hub—are truly accessible, inclusive, and welcoming for everyone in our community.

As our Social Media team Jordan is the digital voice of Ripe Mentoring. Her expertly captures the heart of our work, sharing our stories of impact across the Shoalhaven and beyond. By blending professional digital strategy with cultural storytelling, she ensures that our message of empowerment reaches a broad audience, from local families to federal stakeholders.

Jordan’s dual focus on inclusion and communication ensures that Ripementoring remains a leader in social advocacy, proving that true community empowerment happens when every voice is heard and every person is seen.

We are proud to work alongside Birrabine Miigay as a key subcontractor. This partnership allows us to deliver projects that are not only professionally executed but also culturally safe and deeply rooted in community connection. By collaborating with Birrabine Miigay, we integrate local Indigenous knowledge and evidence-based health promotion into our workflows, ensuring that our collective impact is holistic and respectful of the Country on which we operate. 

Edwina Braddick is a proud Gammēya-Ḏharrawal woman, a dedicated community leader, and the Founder and Director of Birrabine Miigay (meaning "Emu Woman") based within the Shoalhaven. With a Graduate Diploma in Indigenous Health Promotion from the University of Sydney, Graduate Certificate in Indigenous Trauma and Recovery from the Univeristy of Wollongong and Diploma in Event Management by TAFE NSW; Edwina bridges the gap between clinical evidence-based practice and traditional cultural wisdom. 

Her work is defined by a lifelong commitment to the social and emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Drawing from her own lived experience, strengths, and lineage most notably her mother, Aunty Mish, and her grandmother, Miriam Braddick nee Chapman, great grand-mother Lena Chapman nee Carpenter Edwina facilitates healing through: 

• Art Therapy & Creative Expression: Using art as a tool for connection to self, culture, and Country. 
• Cultural Safety Awareness: Empowering to create inclusive and respectful environments. 
• Health Promotion: Developing programs that specifically support adolescent females and broader community resilience. 
• Event Coordination: Leveraging deep local networks in the Shoalhaven to create impactful, community-centered events. 

Edwina’s leadership is more than just a service; it is a movement toward healing and growth. Her presence in our projects ensures that we walk with integrity and maintain a genuine connection to the Shoalhaven community. 

We are honored to partner with Dream-time Entertainment and the Guluga Dancers as subcontractors, bringing world-class Indigenous performance and storytelling to our joint initiatives. These groups are more than just performers; they are cultural ambassadors who bridge the gap between generations, ensuring that the songs, dances, and stories of the South Coast remain a living, breathing part of our contemporary landscape.

team specialize in:

• Traditional Dance & Didgeridoo: Captivating audiences with the sights and sounds of the Dreamtime.
• Cultural Workshops: Engaging schools, corporate groups, and community events in hands-on learning, from boomerang throwing to traditional art.
• Cultural Practitioner:  Warren is a Dancer, Musician, Actor and Writer. Warren was a part of the Bangarra Dance Theatre production Dark Emu (2018), working as a Cultural Consultant and Vocal Artist. 
• Warren Ngarrae Foster is a valued Yuin Community Leader, Knowledge Keeper and Sharer. His extensive study, practice and exploration of Djiringanj culture has seen him engaged as a Cultural Advisor by the National Museum of Australia, Bangarra Dance Theatre and the National Library.

We are honored to collaborate with Elisabeth Luland, a respected First Nations Cultural Practitioner, Elisabeth plays a vital role in our community-led initiatives, particularly those focused on youth empowerment and the reclamation of cultural identity through dance. Her work ensures that the traditions of the South Coast remain a living, breathing part of the local landscape.

Elisabeth is a dedicated First Nations individual and sole trader who specializes in traditional First Nations dance. Her practice is rooted in the belief that cultural expression is a cornerstone of social and emotional wellbeing.

Elisabeth is best known for her transformative work within our  'Empowered Tiddas' mentoring program. Through this initiative, she facilitates:

• Indigenous Dance Workshops: A comprehensive 12-week curriculum designed to teach traditional movements and the stories they carry.
• Youth Mentorship: Using dance as a medium to build confidence, resilience, and a sense of belonging among young Aboriginal women (Tiddas).
• Cultural Facilitation: Providing a safe space for participants to reconnect with their heritage and express their identity in a contemporary setting.

By integrating Elisabeth’s expertise into our projects, we provide more than just a service—we provide a pathway for cultural continuity. Her ability to engage young people and foster a deep pride in their ancestry is invaluable to our collective mission of supporting a thriving, connected community in the Nowra region.

We are deeply privileged to work under the cultural guidance of Aunty Chris Finney, a highly respected Elder, Cultural Advisor, and Practitioner. Aunty Chris provides the essential link between systemic processes and ancient cultural wisdom, ensuring that our work as subcontractors is always conducted with the blessing and oversight of the local Aboriginal community.

Aunty Chris has spent decades as a cornerstone of the local education system in her role as an Aboriginal Education Officer (AEO). Her work within schools and the broader Department of Education has been instrumental in:

• Bridging the Gap: Facilitating meaningful communication between schools, Aboriginal students, and their families to ensure every child feels seen and supported.
• Curriculum Cultural Safety: Advising educators on how to integrate First Nations perspectives into the classroom with authenticity and respect.
• Student Advocacy: Serving as a mentor and "Aunty" to generations of students, providing a safe cultural space within the academic environment.

Beyond the classroom, Aunty Chris is a sought-after Cultural Advisor. Her deep knowledge of the Shoalhaven’s history, lineages, and protocols makes her an invaluable partner in any project involving community engagement.

As a Cultural Practitioner, she specializes in:

• Welcome to Country & Smoking Ceremonies: Providing a spiritual and traditional opening to significant events and projects.
• Community Liaison: Acting as a trusted voice to ensure that project outcomes align with the needs and aspirations of the local Aboriginal community.
• Policy & Protocol Guidance: Helping organizations navigate the complexities of cultural safety and community consultation.

Working with Aunty Chris Finney ensures that we are not just "doing a job," but are walking a path of reconciliation and respect. Her presence guarantees that our actions are culturally informed, ethically sound, and always mindful of the Elders who have come before us.