First Nation Advisory
Cultural intelligence for the advancement of First Peoples.
What: Focus and priorities (as above in Vision expanded)
Diversity and Inclusion
International mindset, people-centred, place-based with global reach and values.
Ethical First Practices
The Cultural Intelligence Project's legendary footprint is imprinted by an unshakeable dedication to catapult businesses to an exceptional echelon of cultural brilliance and intellect.
Through our encompassing programs and initiatives, we charge organisations with the strength to cherish diversity, nurture inclusion, and shape a symphony of cultural harmony.
Co-Founder
Cara Peek
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Cara's story is a powerful tapestry woven from her experiences growing up in the outer suburbs of Melbourne, within a multicultural family of Yawuru/Bunuba descent. Her childhood, shaped by the warmth and resilience of a hardworking community, was also shadowed by the legacy of discriminatory laws that once targeted her grandparents' union. These early brushes with injustice instilled in her a profound understanding of the need for advocacy and human rights.
A significant turning point in Cara's life came when her father suffered a workplace injury, revealing the harsh realities of an unjust system. Witnessing her mother's strength in shouldering this burden, Cara's resolve to fight for justice deepened. This was further cemented when her mother took her to hear Nelson Mandela speak during his visit to Australia, an experience that etched a permanent signature on her young mind.
Her education was rich in diversity, both in her high school's multicultural environment and in her own household, where she gained an early appreciation for the struggles of indigenous women and the importance of matriarchal wisdom. Cara was not only a good student who valued education as a pathway to a better life, but she also worked from her early teenage years, contributing to her family's business. This instilled in her a strong work ethic and a belief that there must be easier ways to survive and thrive.
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Cara's journey of independence and ambition began early, studying and working in Canada
and the US, engaging with First Nations communities broadening her horizons.
Her resolve is evident in her approach to challenges: the more she hears 'no' [the more she laughs], the more determined and resilient she becomes. This drive has been fuelled by the strong women who have been her greatest influences and supporters.
From her father, Cara learned to tune a car at the age of six, gaining engineering insights. Her parents also imparted valuable lessons in running a business, blending academic and creative influences. This blend of practicality and creativity wasis evident in her first side hustle – a small, bespoke jewellery and millinery label, reflecting her entrepreneurial spirit.
Today, Cara stands as a champion of human rights for First Nations Peoples, through her groundbreaking work with TCIP. Her focus is on empowering those from remote, rural, and regional communities, thinking globally while acting locally. Her life's work is a testament to her belief that true purpose comes from aligning what you do with who you are. She stands as a beacon, influenced by those who have walked before and beside her, and committed to impacting those who will follow.
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Adele is a proud Yawuru/Bunuba woman whose journey originates from the bustling outer suburbs of Melbourne to the remote corners of Broome. Living with undiagnosed dyslexia, education wasn't just challenging; it became a barrier. But adversity often fuels determination. For Adele, it paved the way to a profound understanding of communication and its power to bridge gaps.
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Adele grew up in a multicultural melting pot in the outer suburbs. She moved to high school on an Indigenous scholarship to MLC and then onto Melbourne Uni, following a scholarship track. After university, she returned to her grandmother's country, Yawuru country, driven by a longing for home.
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She pursued passion projects and helped advance First Peoples by working across Shell, Rio Tinto, FYA, and the Department of Finance (Gov, Mining, Oil & Gas, and NFP). Her focus was on First Nations Advancement, Youth Employment, and creating strategic outcomes for community development.
Throughout her life, Adele witnessed firsthand the barriers to education and accessibility, especially in remote regions where opportunities were sparse, and violence loomed large. She recognized that education was a beacon, a pathway out of the constraints of a low socio-economic background. With every venture, from an art gallery to supporting the executive at the Kimberley Land Council, to youth work, and onto The Cultural Intelligence Project, Adele sought to drive economic opportunities and societal upliftment for her people.
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Challenged in multiple ways, from discriminatory and racist work environments to the need for self-employment, Adele ensured that she and others were well-presented, educated, and hardworking. Despite being statistically at the bottom in terms of socioeconomic background, incarceration, and domestic violence, she made sure to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
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After a decade at the forefront of First Nations entrepreneurship, Adele realised her gift lay in her cultural intelligence. She recognized that to be successful in life or business, one must be aware of others and their surroundings. Adele used her gift to educate and grow others by teaching individuals and organisations the art of cultural intelligence.
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Cultural Intelligence is about understanding that everyone comes from a different walk of life. Every individual or business has been on a journey from point A to point B. It is within that journey that lessons are learned and wisdom is gained. While shared experiences can create commonality, no two journeys are identical.
Today, Adele stands as a proud and accomplished single mother and multi-award-winning business owner. Her daughter is her biggest inspiration, continually guiding and fueling her passion and determination to achieve First Nation advancement and a better world for our youth.
Why Adele and Cara work together
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Their coming together was organic, two streams converging into a mightier river, a force of nature.
Both Cara and Adele had ascended the treacherous ladder to executive levels, facing workplaces that were often toxic, racist, discriminatory, and not culturally safe. Especially for an Indigenous woman, such environments not only failed to recognize their potential but actively sought to diminish it. The higher they climbed, the clearer it became that the corporate world wasn't designed for them. The constant tug-of-war between their roles in all-white executive environments and their commitments to their communities exacted a tremendous toll on their mental health and well-being.
But the two women are not the type to bow down to adversity. They are specialists in First Nations engagement and strategy, seasoned fighters who know the lay of the land. While the world tried to knock them off their pedestals, they firmly believed in leading with integrity. They recognized that biases, often ingrained and unspoken, impact not just them but countless others who were pushed into the shadows.
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Shared Vision for Cultural Intelligence
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And so, out of this shared vision, The Cultural Intelligence Project was born. It isn’t just about confronting biases; it is about making individuals uncomfortable enough to introspect, to hold themselves accountable for their actions. TCIP stands as a beacon for those who believe in choices that do no harm to others or the environment, and for those who want to wear their crowns without fear.
Cara and Adele's mission transcends their organisation. They are advocates, amplifying the voices of those who often went unheard. Through initiatives like newspaper case studies, they spotlighted the unsung heroes, making sure they were seen, heard, and valued.
Their alliance isn’t just about personal success or breaking ceilings. It is a call to arms, urging everyone to be a part of a positive solution. Every morning, they rise with a determination to give their all, are proud of their mission, and are firm in their belief that the world can change, one story at a time.