Mundanara Bayles

Mundanara’s cultural heritage is connected to the Wonnarua and Bunjalung people on her mother’s side and the Birri-Gubba and Gungalu on her father’s side. Mundanara grew up in Redfern NSW with her 8 sisters and moved to her father’s country in the early 90’s. Coming from a family that has been active in the Aboriginal movement since the 60s and 70s she continues to follow their example. As a proud advocate for her people, she follows in her father’s footsteps and aims to make a positive contribution.

Mundanara has more than 20 years’ experience, working for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous organisations in NSW and QLD, including but not limited to, the Queensland University of Technology (QUT), the Salvation Army Employment Plus, Busy at Work, the Child Support Agency, the Institute for Urban Indigenous Health (IUIH), and Brisbane Indigenous Media Association.

Mundanara won the Indigenous Businesswoman of the year at the Supply Nations Supplier Diversity Awards 2023. Mundanara is the host of the award winning podcast, Black Magic Woman which is the first Indigenous podcast to join the iHeart network.

Mundanara has been recognised internationally for her teaching and learning skills as an Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (AFHEA) in the United Kingdom, and has formal qualifications in the disciplines of media, business, assessment and training.

Mundanara is on several committees and boards, including but not limited to, the Aboriginal & Islander Independent Community School also known as The Murri School; Philanthropy Australia’s First Nations Governance Committee; Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) advisor for AGL; Founding Director of The Land Back Foundation, Founder of Deadly Futures Indigenous Corporation, Visiting fellow of QUT’s Learning and Teaching Unit. Mundanara is currently studying a Masters of Indigenous Business Leadership at Monash University, with a podcast partnership with Monash Business School.

Mundanara is the Managing Director/ Co-Founder and workshop facilitator of the BlackCard Pty Ltd, which is a 100% Aboriginal owned business certified with Supply Nation. Mundanara co- founded BlackCard with Dr Lilla Watson, who is a respected Aboriginal elder, artist, educator and long-time course developer. BlackCard is a specialist consultancy providing cultural capability training and consultancy services to enable people and organisations to work effectively with members of the Aboriginal community. BlackCard’s purpose is working with people, not for people, with the genius of Aboriginal Knowledge.