OUR COMMITTEE
Introducing our Committee
What is an RDA Committee?
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Regional Development Australia Committees are locally managed, non-profit, community-based organisations jointly funded by the Australian and State Governments. The Committee is made up of a Chair, Deputy Chair and several ordinary members, with typical committee sizes varying from 6-8 members.
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The RDA is a national network of 50 committees across Australia's capital cities and regions, including the Indian Ocean Territories, Norfolk Island and Jervis Bay Territory
What is the purpose of RDA Pilbara?
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Our committee is committed to developing and growing the Pilbara region by engaging in the following activities:
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Consult and engage with the community on economic, social, cultural and environmental issues, solutions and priorities
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Liaise with governments and local communities about government programmes, services, grants and initiatives for regional development
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Support informed regional planning
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Contribute to business growth plans and investment strategies, environmental solutions and social inclusion strategies in their region
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NERIDA KICKETT
Chair
Nerida is an experienced regional leader with over 20 years across the resources, education, finance, and marine sectors. She is passionate about inclusive leadership, governance, and empowering others to drive positive outcomes. A Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, she has served on a range of boards and committees.
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Nerida is the Chair of Regional Development Australia (RDA) Pilbara and President of the Karratha and Districts Chamber of Commerce and Industry. She is also a Justice of the Peace and is committed to economic growth, community development and regional advocacy.
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With deep knowledge of the Pilbara, Nerida brings strategic insight, strong business acumen, and a results-driven approach to addressing regional challenges and opportunities.
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RYLEY HEAP
Acting Deputy Chair
Ryley is an experience economic development professional with expertise in regional and remote destination management, place branding and economic diversification. Through his role as Principal Economic Development at the Town of Port Hedland, Ryley is focused on working collaboratively with government, industry and community stakeholders to improve liveability and facilitate economic growth.
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Ryley holds a Master of Tourism, Bachelor of Commerce (Marketing), Grad. Cert. in Data Science, Grad. Cert. in Business (Behavioural Economics) and is studying towards a Master of Economics. In 2020, Ryley was awarded the Economic Development Rising Star Leadership Award by EDA for outstanding achievement by a young, emerging leader in the economic development profession.
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With a passion for promoting and facilitating sustainable economic development, Ryley is dedicated to fostering equitable prosperity throughout the Pilbara through innovation, collaboration and a deep understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities of the region.
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Ryley has been a committee member of Regional Development Australia (RDA) Pilbara since November 2023.
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Claire Boyce
Committee Member
Claire Boyce is a proud resident of Port Hedland since 2012 and a passionate advocate for regional development, diversity, and community-led growth across Port Hedland and the Pilbara. With an MBS in Entrepreneurship Management and a Bachelor of Economics, Claire's professional journey spans Ireland to remote Western Australia, where she has built a career grounded in strategic leadership, governance, and advocacy.
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Claire is the co-owner and Director of Everything Earth, a civil and earthmoving company headquartered in Port Hedland. Through this role, she oversees business operations while maintaining a strong commitment to supporting local employment, community organisations, and sustainable development.
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From 2020 to 2023, Claire served as CEO of the Port Hedland Chamber of Commerce (PHCCI), where she led the organisation through constitutional reform, expanded co-working hubs in three locations, and steered business support through the COVID-19 pandemic. She is now the Treasurer of the PHCCI and Director at Julyardi Aboriginal Corporation, roles that see her actively contributing to economic development and First Nations-led initiatives in Port and South Hedland.
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Claire has deep experience in stakeholder engagement and governance. Whether through business, board leadership, or grassroots advocacy, Claire remains firmly committed to strengthening the Pilbara as a place where people can build meaningful careers, raise families, and shape a thriving regional future.

MARK BRADLEY
Committee Member
Mark is Pilbara raised with 20 years of professional resources industry experience across offshore, onshore, mining, renewables and petrochemical processes. Mark has a deep understanding of local businesses in the Pilbara region and focus' on strong leadership, change advocacy, innovation and a desire to seek and deliver solutions to challenging problems.
He is currently the Government and External Relations Adviser with major downstream processor for Yara Pilbara located in Karratha. A key focus of his role is developing collaborative opportunities with traditional owner groups, the local community and Government organisations.
With a strong interest in science, technology and innovation, Mark is also the co-founder of a marine rehabilitation company. Mark loves the Pilbara lifestyle and is an active contributor to community organisations.
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Devon Cuimara
Committee Member
Devon is the Founder and CEO of Aboriginal Males Healing Centre, Strong Spirit Strong Families Strong Culture Inc (AMHC). He is currently a guest on Nyiyaparli Parna (Land) Newman, representing the Martu yirna (Aboriginal men) who use violence. He has the yuwajula (permission) from the yatilykata (elders) of Pitjikala and manyjilyjarra, Martu (Aboriginal people), to carry out healing and well-being work with yirna (men).
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The Aboriginal Men's Healing Place aims to help Aboriginal men who are at risk of or currently using violence, and focus on Justice Reinvestment. The campaign highlights the program's ability to create real change, not just provide temporary shelter, but to offer a long-term path to better behaviour. In a world where punitive systems have often overlooked cultural context and long-term healing, the initiative offers a culturally grounded intervention.
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As an accomplished CEO, Devon has extensive experience in risk assessment and solution development, driving sustainability and growth in challenging markets. He excels at building solid relationships with businesses and customers to foster trust and collaboration.
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Fran Haintz
Committee Member
Fran has lived, loved, laughed, and worked on Kariyarra Country in Port Hedland for 28 years, building deep connections and contributing meaningfully to the community.
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She is a passionate and experienced educator and community leader with over 30 years' experience across rural and remote Aboriginal communities, NGOs, education, small business, and corporate Australia. Her work is grounded in social justice, community capacity building, and collaborative leadership, with a strong belief in opportunity as a driver of empowerment and peace.
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From her role in driving the Indigenous Affairs Education strategy at BHP to her tenure as CEO at Glass Jar Australia, Fran has consistently demonstrated her ability to lead impactful initiatives that empower marginalised communities and promote social inclusion. In her current role as Director of Grounded Impact, Fran works to empower organisations and communities to build authentic relationships, find strategic alignment, and grow sustainable impact initiatives together.
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Fran brings proven expertise in program design, implementation, and evaluation, with a track record of inclusive strategic planning and social impact. Fran's approach blends professionalism with deep integrity and a commitment to genuine, shared outcomes.

PETER LONG
Committee Member
Peter is a widely experienced company director, business initiator, manager and community development enthusiast. He has lived in the north-west of Western Australia for over 35 years and was Mayor of the City of Karratha for a decade, completing his service in 2023.
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He started a professional engineering and environmental consultancy in 1985, which grew to some 100 staff, with offices in Karratha, Perth and Margaret River. Prior to coming to Karratha, he worked on major resource projects in Australia, NZ, South Africa, Europe and Saudi Arabia. He has lived and travelled in the UK, USA, India and South-East Asia.
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Peter holds directorships on a range of organisations including the CRC for Developing Northern Australia, Pilbara Kimberley Universities Centre, Pilbara Weed Management Committee and is on committees with Engineering Australia, the Minerals Council of Australia and the North West Defence Alliance.
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Michelle Radley
Committee Member
Michelle Radley is the General Manager of Ports Dampier & Marine Operations at Rio Tinto, where she leads a team of 470 people responsible for the safe and efficient operation of port assets and marine logistics across the Iron Ore supply chain. With over 17 years at Rio Tinto, Michelle has held senior roles across operations, corporate, and functional areas, including leading the People and Culture Strategy division to drive cultural transformation and build a safer, more inclusive workplace.
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Michelle began her career in accounting and finance, bringing a strong commercial foundation to her leadership in the resources sector. She is a passionate advocate for workplace safety and has championed initiatives to better understand the human factors behind decisions, promoting a learning culture that makes work safer and more effective.
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Living and working in the Pilbara, Michelle is committed to the long-term success of regional communities. She is passionate about supporting local employment, strengthening community partnerships, and helping to create sustainable, liveable towns. Through her leadership, she aims to ensure Rio Tinto is a trusted regional partner that contributes to thriving, resilient communities - now and into the future.

Audra Smith
Committee Member
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SEAN-PAUL STEPHENS
Committee Member
Sean-Paul is a leader and CEO with expertise in social impact, cultural heritage management, social enterprise and community development practice. Sean-Paul is the CEO of Traditional Owner organisation, the Ngarluma Yindjibarndi Foundation Ltd (NYFL) Group. NYFL delivers a suite of social impact initiatives and advocates for equitable social, economic and cultural outcomes for the community. He is a Director on a commercially focussed social enterprise that supports Elders and vulnerable people across the west Pilbara.
Prior to being appointed NYFL CEO, Sean-Paul was the First Nations Engagement Lead at a global energy company. He has held leadership roles with Native Title entities and statutory authorities. As a qualified archaeologist, he has worked for T.O organisations across WA, NT and Victoria. Sean-Paul holds an Honours Degree in Indigenous Social Justice and Archaeology and is completing a MBA specialising in Social Impact.
Sean-Paul is passionate about self-determination for First Nations communities, sustainability and is committed to driving shared prosperity across regional Australia.
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