Our Board

Matt Jones

DIRECTOR

Matt Jones

Matt is an industry disruptor, with 20 years industry and management consulting experience, and 8 years in the startup ecosystem, as a start-up founder and entrepreneur. With 6 start-ups to date including the founding to exit of OVO for AUD$17m, Matt loves to bring big ideas that have global potential to life. Most of all Matt has a passion for building and leading high performing teams, where every voice and perspective is encouraged and the best results come from a diversity in background, experience and perspective. Matt holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) from the University of Tasmania and regularly speaks at Telco, Sports marketing and Media forums and events. Matt has held executive leadership roles at leading Telecommunications brands including Telstra (Head of Strategy – Operations), Optus, Vodafone, AAPT, Telecom New Zealand as well as global Management Consulting firms including BearingPoint.

Suzanne Jones

Director

Suzanne Jones

Suzanne, a former Judge of the Federal Circuit Court of Australia, holds a Bachelor of Economics from Monash University and a Bachelor of Law from Melbourne University. She has a strong background in advocating for workers' rights through her work at the Australian Council of Trade Unions. As a Barrister, she specialised in industrial, human rights, and contract law and participated in a Victorian Commissions of Inquiry on Gambling licenses. Her judicial role required expertise across diverse areas of civil law and efficient dispute resolution. Additionally, she served on the Court’s Access to Justice Committee. Suzanne is honoured to be involved in the ongoing journey of The Youth Mill, promoting young indigenous artists, cultural engagement, and identity.

Craig Allen

BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL ADVISOR

Craig Allen

Craig advises the Youth Mill as practice principal in business and taxation. With over 16 years’ experience as a former CPA Quality Assurance Reviewer when the Quality Assurance program was first introduced by CPA Australia, Craig was chosen to be part of the original intake of Reviewers. He was trained to apply the risk and quality standards to accounting practices and was a key person in the program’s architecture and design. All while running the practice. Craig has served on the CPA Australia’s Board of Quality Review overseeing and improving the quality assurance program. During his time on the Board, he made significant contributions to its development and input into the Review process. Craig also served on the Victorian Public Practice Committee.

Edwin Fejo

CULTURAL SUPPORT AND ADVOCACY

Edwin Fejo

Edwin is a proud Larrakia person who has strong family and community values, he has a pivotal role with The Youth Mill as mentor and support person to many of the young participants. Edwin is a strong advocate for young Indigenous people, "his people", he delivers wonderfully profound discourses and has the most beautiful singing voice that wakes the soul. Edwin is the braja (brother) of The Youth Mill team.

REBECCA BLAKE

Creative Production Advisor

REBECCA BLAKE

In 1988 Rebecca Blake established Blake Entertainment, a specialist arts marketing and creative services company. Based in Sydney, the dynamic company has created national campaigns for impresarios and producers in musical theatre, events and live concerts, notably John Farnham, and tours by INXS, Prince and The Rolling Stones. Rebecca has been a key marketing force in the performing arts industry and has executed world-class campaigns for a range of shows, including David Atkins’s Hot Shoe Shuffle, the original The Boy From Oz including the musical’s Australian arena tour starring Hugh Jackman, and Australian premiere seasons of The Phantom of the Opera and Chicago. In 2014 Rebecca produced the world premiere and national tour of Rolling Thunder Vietnam – A ROCK DRAMA and completed a successful national tour in 2023.