“I’ve been brought up to always respect our heritage, our elders, family connections and our traditions. I am very proud to be connected to this rich history and heritage. It would be remiss of me and others to not do what we can to protect and promote that and see it as an asset to this country.”

 

A proud Ngarluma woman with family connections to Yindjibarndi and a number of neighbouring language groups across the Pilbara, Shanine Ryan has an extensive background as a senior corporate professional in Human Resources and Community Relations.

 

During a thirteen-year career at Woodside, Shanine has championed and supported the Indigenous community to be included and represented in the expanding oil and gas workforce. As an Indigenous Employment Advisor and then Diversity and Inclusion Manager she has been integral to raising the representation of Aboriginal people in the sector, as well as offering necessary support systems to sustain productive and positive employment. Shanine values inclusivity and advocates for roles to be better designed around an individual person. Her unique approach encourages flexibility and support in employment rather than a one-size fits all approach. She is considered a leader who champions new ideas and fresh thinking, particularly in the employment and training area. She has advocated for improved remuneration benefits for apprentice staff as well as enshrining contract protections for cost-of-living support.

 

Shanine has overseen site audits and surveys working with traditional owners to improve outcomes and relationships across the sector. This work led onto her most recent role appointment as Regional Director with the Department of Planning Lands and Heritage. In this newly created position, Shanine will play a key role in supporting stakeholders with understanding their obligations to protect and preserve Aboriginal heritage across the Pilbara. Demonstrating her integrity and commitment to this preservation, she has championed projects in previous roles that ensure traditional knowledge, stories, and practices are passed down to future generations, and will continue to advocate for the protection of heritage sites, values and objects of cultural significance.

 

Shanine’s early career in the not-for-profit sector gave her the drive and skills to empower and support others, encouraging them to become their best versions of themselves. With a career spanning across a range of industries including a long period in tourism and travel, Shanine is constantly seeking out and supporting opportunities for Indigenous people in her local areas to be more engaged in the community. 

 

Contribution to community:

 

“Mentoring or just being that person for someone to go to is critically important to enabling success for younger people coming through the system because corporate structures can be very daunting. That support wasn’t something I had coming through, so I saw the need to do my part in providing a safe space for others who were struggling.”

 

Shanine shares generously her leadership experience to continue to positively contribute to the careers of others. She has given formal mentorship and guidance to people entering the corporate structure at Woodside, offering a safe space for anyone struggling as well as guidance on how and where to seek help. Through this compassionate support, she has empowered young people to pursue their dreams, and become leaders in their own right.

 

In 2022, Shanine was appointed as Chairperson of Empowering People in Communities (EPiC) incorporated after a long tenure on the board and as Vice Chairperson.  EPiC is an organisation tasked with empowering more vulnerable members of the community specifically providing disability support services. EPiC provides services across the Pilbara and Kalgoorlie area and recently launched a popular EPI Café, where people living with a disability can connect with community and learn new skills through running a café.  This community driven social enterprise initiative has the potential to improve social connection, skills and confidence for community members to seek employment in hospitality or other roles in the future. Shanine is also a proactive member of the board of Ngarliyarndu Bindirri Aboriginal Corporation (NBAC) which has a fifty plus year history of empowering Aboriginal leadership and striving for positive social and economic development outcomes.

 

Shanine has dedicated her life to serving and uplifting her community. Through her leadership she has played a pivotal role in promoting social justice, cultural awareness, and empowerment among Aboriginal people in Western Australia. In addition to her cultural advocacy, Shanine has been a vocal champion for Aboriginal rights and inclusion and diversity more broadly, working to address systemic inequalities and advocating for meaningful change.