Jahna Cedar

The 2017 40under40 First Amongst Equals winner, Jahna Cedar OAM is a Nyiyaparli/Yindjibarndi woman from the Pilbara region of Western Australia and a strong indigenous community leader. Born and raised in Port Hedland, she now resides in Perth. Ms Cedar has served as director and secretary on the Niapaili Aboriginal Corporation board and is a member of the Niapaili Aboriginal Corporation and Gumala Aboriginal Corporation. She has also served as treasurer/director of Lotteries House South Hedland, and is on the Advisory Committee for National Commonwealth Bank Foundation. Ms Cedar has represented her people internationally in children's rights and equal access to employment, education and training for women. As executive officer at Gumala Aboriginal Corporation, Ms Cedar lead the turnaround of Gumala, following a period where income fell 80%, building capacity and independence for Gumala members in the areas of health and wellbeing, employment, housing, education and culture. In January 2020, Ms Cedar was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for services to WA's indigenous community.