Staff Balkanu’s personnel are as diverse as the people of Cape York. With a broad range of skills required, employees range from technicians to accountants, field officers to engineers, anthropologists to financiers. In addition large scale secondment programs, in partnership with Westpac and Boston Consulting Group, bring in staff for project specific and time specific terms, some as short as a month. Staff profiles
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Tamara Hunting is a Dharrbawarra Bama from the southern area of Starcke on the east coast of Cape York. She has worked with Balkanu for four years, starting as an administration assistant and progressing to Deputy Manager of CYBD. She is responsible for performance reporting for funding providers. As an advocate for youth issues Tamara strives to be a role model for her people.
Gummi Fridriksson, originally from Iceland, is CYBD’s acting manager and project manager for the Mossman Gorge Gateway project. He has a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Sociology. He has worked extensively in Europe, China and PNG and is a member of several international project management associations.
Victoria Davis-Jenkins is a descendant of two south-eastern Cape York clan groups, the Guunduurrwarra Clan and the Bindi Clan. She completed a School Based Traineeship with Balkanu six years ago and has been with Balkanu in various roles since. Victoria aims to study law and expand her advocacy role, particularly with issues relevant to indigenous youth.
Chris Roberts was born in South Africa and has a background in marine biology, aquaculture and marine tourism. One of the original Balkanu team, Chris has worked for the past ten years on land and sea management issues. In 2006 he became the manager of the Caring for Country unit and is keen to support innovative ideas.
Muyideen (Deen) Popoola, born in Nigeria, is committed to the advancement of indigenous people around the world and is proactive in achieving this. He joined Balkanu in 1997 as financial controller having previously worked as a financial administrator in north Western Australia. Deen has a Bachelor of Commerce and a Master of Public Policy and Management. 
Glenda Storer’s multi-cultural heritage includes Japanese, Malaysian, English and Torres Strait Islander ancestry. She has worked with Balkanu for nearly seven years and was previously with the Cape York Land Council. As Office Manager, Glenda is proud of her contribution to Balkanu’s unqualified audit and strives to achieve this each year. 
Barry Hunter is a descendant of the Djabaguy people from the Kuranda area. He is an Indigenous Land Management Facilitator. His position is funded by the Natural Heritage Trust and hosted by Balkanu. Barry has a Bachelor of Applied Science (Parks, Recreation and Heritage) and a range of experience in land and sea management.
Darren Wall is descended from the Old Mapoon people and the Gudang Clan from the Injinoo area in Cape York. He started with Balkanu as a Database Trainee and progressed to Finance Assistant. Darren has a Diploma in Community Development (Aboriginal Communities), Certificate II in Local Government and a Certificate II in Business Administration.
Tony Barber grew up in England where he studied business administration. His work has enabled him to travel extensively around the world and gain an insight into many different cultures. Tony has held various managerial positions within the manufacturing industry and in 2002 joined Balkanu to manage the administration of Regional CDEP.
Diana David-De Busch is descended from the Kaanju (Coen) and Yam Island (Torres Strait) people. As Communications Officer for the Traditional Knowledge Recording Project, Diana enjoys working with Cape York people to create awareness and understanding of traditional knowledge. She is currently studying for a degree in journalism.
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