De-Joel Upkett

My name is De-Joel Upkett. I am a proud Juru, Durumbal, & Gubbi Gubbi man from North Queensland. I currently hold the position of Chief Executive Officer of Ngwala Willumbong Aboriginal Corporation.

I have dedicated the last 20 years of my career supporting, advocating and working in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander affairs largely in AOD (Health) and a few years in child, youth and the family sector. In my journey, solid and integral leadership is what drives me to stand in the position and places that I do and can knowing that there are unheard voices that need to be represented, and leadership style that gives hope to others in both my workplace and in the community.

I have achieved advanced education levels in AOD, Youth work and Christian Theology. I am a husband and father to five children and a pet Boxer dog. One of the core values that I stand by is living a well-balanced work life, that first is being a great leader in my home and in turn flows into being a great leader in my professional spaces that I work in.