Our people

Juliana Nkrumah AM

Juliana Nkrumah AM founded AWAU with the aim of providing African women with a forum with the capacity to influence decision makers about what matters to African women. She has led campaigns and conducted research with national and international impact across a range of social justice areas including Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and strategies used in multicultural policing. Her work has resulted in the development of best-practice models and policy change. 

Angelica Ojinnaka-Psillakis

Angelica Ojinnaka-Psillakis is a health and social researcher and fierce advocate dedicated to advancing the human rights, health equity, and participation of all children and young people. She manages the Future Healthy Countdown 2030 and is also a Chief Investigator on transformation initiatives addressing adolescent health globally. A former Australian Youth Representative to the UN, Angelica now serves as National Ambassador for Plan International Australia, Board Director for the Australian Association for Adolescent Health, and Sydney Women’s Fund Advisory Council Member.

Elizabeth Tunha

Elizabeth Tunha has over a decade of experience in financial services across operations, strategy, project management, customer remediation and life insurance. Her work supports the development of authentic and meaningful interactions with communities and national stakeholders. She is passionate about cultural diversity and inclusion, working with people from migrant backgrounds creating networking platforms to encourage personal and professional development. 

Niwa Mburuja

Niwa Mburuja is a cultural producer and arts leader with extensive experience across arts administration, cultural programming, and community engagement. She has contributed to national initiatives such as Australia’s representation at the Venice Biennale, as well as local projects supporting diverse artists and communities. 

As a board member of since 2019, Niwa is passionate about using her skills and experience to empower African women, nurture leadership, and celebrate the rich cultural contributions of African communities in Australia.

Towela Mutale

Dr Virginia Mapedzahama, PhD 

Dr Virginia Mapedzahama is a research leader with diverse experience in the public, NGO and academic sectors. Her research focuses on understanding the meanings attached to this difference and its implications for those assigned difference. Her expertise includes new African diaspora in Australia, race and ethnic studies and cross-cultural identities She has extensive experience in social research methods and methodology (including survey research and various qualitative research methods).