Meet the Team

Amy Rust

Big Boss Lady

Amy is the owner and Managing Director of Jindawayni. She is a proud Kokatha woman from South Australia with decades of experience in politics, government and the for-purpose sector.

Amy specialises in Aboriginal engagement, cultural governance and strategic communications. She works with clients to cut through bureaucracy, build trusted relationships and make sure Aboriginal voices are central to decision-making.

She currently serves on the boards of Environmental Justice Australia, Flourish Australia and the National Homeless Collective, and is a member of the South Australian Suicide Prevention Council and the South Australian Film Corporation’s First Nations Advisory Group.

During her time at the First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria, Amy led engagement initiatives that significantly increased community enrolments and participation. She helped strengthen representation through innovative campaigns and events that built momentum for Treaty.

Having worked for many senior politicians including former Prime Minister Julia Gillard, Amy understands how to build partnerships that respect culture while driving meaningful outcomes for communities and stakeholders.

Key strengths

  • Deep expertise in Traditional Owner engagement

  • Strong political networks and trusted relationships at all levels of government

  • Strategic communications and messaging that connects with target audiences

  • Trusted cultural advisor

  • Skilled in navigating complex multi-stakeholder environments

  • Delivers outcomes that respect both cultural and commercial priorities

  • Renewable energy projects that align with Traditional Owner aspirations and legislative requirements

  • Experienced in negotiation and agreement-making, including benefit-sharing and Indigenous Land Use Agreements

  • Extensive governance experience through multiple board appointments across environmental, mental health and social justice sectors

Stephanie Ross

Principle Consultant

Stephanie is a proud Meroni – Gooreng Woman and is Jindawayni’s Principal Consultant leading our culturally grounded projects.

Stephanie has much experience in Community engagement and organising from her time working on the Victorian Treaty process when she managed the all-Aboriginal engagement team in every corner of the state. 

Her career spans the mental health, sports, and arts sectors, where she has led programs that strengthen community participation, cultural connection, and wellbeing across diverse settings.

With experience in project management, government relations, and cultural governance, Stephanie approaches every challenge with integrity, empathy, and a focus on creating real impact.

  • Cultural insight, guidance and governance

  • Community engagement and consultation

  • Policy analysis and advocacy

  • Project and program management

  • Stakeholder and government relations

  • Strategic leadership and team development

Tommy clarke

Strategy and Communications Consultant

Tommy is a communications specialist and media producer. His strategic campaigning and advocacy work over two decades has delivered lasting law reform on a wide range of topics.

During his time at the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria, Tommy’s expertise in marketing and public relations helped build the Assembly’s public profile and political clout. For ten years at the Human Rights Law Centre, his strategic messaging reset key public debates and his targeted campaigning helped secure progressive policy reform at state and federal levels.

From developing the brand of a national labelling system for clothing and textile goods at Ethical Clothing Australia, to creating system manuals for the Arnhem Northern and Kimberley Artists Association, Tommy has a vast range of experience that combines big picture objectives and strategies with his practical hands-on skills set.

At Jindawayni Tommy focuses on helping clients craft effective messaging strategies and generate and manage media attention – but there’s not much we don’t throw at him!

  • Strategic messaging

  • Campaign, marketing and organisational strategy

  • Securing and managing media coverage

  • Media training

  • Research and insights

  • Production management