As a botanical ecologist, research scientist and executive manager Stephen has established a diverse pedigree across biodiversity and landscape ecology, nature conservation and sustainable land management domains. Stephen is empowered with the skills to combine his broad scientific competencies with a commitment to leadership in biodiversity conservation and sustainable natural resource management. 

Stephen is passionate about Closing the Gap on Indigenous disadvantage and achieving self-determination.  He believes that to realise self-determination it is critical that decisions about the livelihoods and wellbeing of Indigenous Australians and most importantly their cultures, customs, heritage and stewardship of land, water and sea Country are made with them, if not by them, he is an advocate for Indigenous-led decision making – Always Was, Always Will Be.

Stephen is the Director of the Australian Resercah Council’s Industry Transformation Training Centre Healing Country at Curtin University. He is also Deputy Leader and Senior Indigenous Facilitator of the National Environmnetal Science Program’s Resilient Landscapes Hub at The University of Western Australia. Stephen is a member of numerous advisory committees include the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water’s Threatened Species Scientific Committee, the Murujuga Rock Art Stakeholder Reference Group, the WA Environmnetal Protection Authority’s Science Advisory Panel and the Botanic Gardens and Park Authority.  He also is member of the board for Conservation International Australia, a Trustee for The Nature Conservancy Australia and a member of Bush Heritage Australia’s Science and Conservation Advisory Panel.

Stephen is also Chair of the Karri Karrak Aboriginal Corporation, the Noongar Corporations Committee and co-Chair of the South West Native Title Settlement ILUA Review committee.