Shane Taurima (Rongomaiwahine, Ngāti Kahungunu) is dedicated to the power of storytelling as a force for revitalisation and transformation. As Kaihautū (Chief Executive) of Whakaata Māori, he leads an organisation committed to ensuring Māori language, culture, and perspectives remain vibrant and visible in Aotearoa New Zealand’s media landscape.

 

With 30 years of experience in broadcasting, politics, and kaupapa Māori leadership, Shane brings a deep understanding of media, governance, and cultural advocacy. Under his leadership, Whakaata Māori has evolved into a dynamic multimedia platform, reaching audiences through television, digital, and social media, and amplifying Māori voices both locally and globally.

 

Guided by Te Huapae, Whakaata Māori’s long-term outcomes framework, Shane and his team are focused on delivering meaningful impact—connecting people with te reo Māori, strengthening workforce development, and ensuring Māori stories continue to shape national identity. His leadership has driven innovations in digital transformation, ensuring Whakaata Māori remains at the forefront of Indigenous media, with initiatives such as MĀORI+, the launch of teaonews.co.nz, and the expansion of live and on-demand Māori content.

 

As Chairperson of the World Indigenous Broadcasters Network (WIBN), Shane collaborates with Indigenous media leaders worldwide to strengthen storytelling sovereignty and amplify Indigenous voices on the global stage. This international perspective reinforces his leadership at Whakaata Māori, where he is committed to ensuring Māori stories, language, and culture continue to thrive.

 

For Shane, Whakaata Māori is more than a broadcaster—it is a movement that carries the aspirations of past, present, and future generations. “We tell stories about Māori, with Māori, in the Māori language, and in Māori ways. These stories inspire, connect, and ignite pride. They remind us who we are, where we’ve come from, and where we’re headed.”

 

With a focus on innovation, resilience, and kaupapa Māori leadership, Shane continues to steer Whakaata Māori towards a future where te reo Māori flourishes, Māori media thrives, and Indigenous storytelling holds its rightful place on the world stage.

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Johan Ailo Kalstad currently serves as the Director of NRK Sámi, the Sámi department of the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation (NRK), a government-owned public broadcaster. NRK Sámi is dedicated to providing content to the Sámi people, the indigenous population of northern Europe who reside in Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Russia.

 

With roots in Guovdageaidnu, a Sámi town in the northern part of Sápmi, Johan Ailo is fluent in the Northern Sámi language and holds a Master's degree in Business Administration and a Bachelor's degree in Journalism. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to his role at NRK Sámi, having worked in various Sámi organisations and previously serving as the Director of the Sámi University of Applied Sciences.

 

NRK Sámi, one of the oldest Sámi institutions, produces daily radio, television, and online content for all segments of the Sámi population in Norway. The organization airs and publishes content in three Sámi languages (the Northern, Lule, and Southern Sámi languages) as well as in Norwegian and has a close collaboration with SVT Sápmi, SR Sameradion, and YLE Sápmi, its sister organisations in Sweden and Finland.

 

Under Johan Ailo's Kalstad leadership, NRK Sámi remains dedicated to preserving and promoting Sámi culture and language and to giving a voice to the Sámi people. With a focus on digital transformation and a priority on reaching a young audience, NRK Sámi is poised to make valuable contributions to the Sámi community and media industry.

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Tanya Denning-Orman, a proud Birri and Guugu Yimidhirr woman from Central and North Queensland, is the Director, First Nations, for SBS. 

Tanya leads SBS’s strategic approach to Indigenous content across all channels and platforms, including elevating National Indigenous Television (NITV) and further amplifying First Nations voices across the network. In the position, Tanya is continuing to build on SBS’s pioneering work in reflecting and exploring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stories throughout its 50-year history, while also embedding Indigenous cultural perspectives throughout the organisation, enhancing capability, supporting community engagement and partnerships, and driving the ongoing development of Indigenous staff and the employee experience. 

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Tanya previously led NITV for more than 12 years, from when it transitioned to join SBS and began broadcasting free-to-air in 2012, through to early 2025 when she was appointed to her current role. Earlier, Tanya became SBS’s first Director of Indigenous Content in 2020, appointed to not only continue managing NITV as a channel dedicated to Indigenous voices, overseeing its diverse and innovative multiplatform content, but to also help drive the development and delivery of First Nations storytelling across the SBS network. 

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With more than 30 years’ experience working in media, Tanya previously held positions as a journalist and producer for ABC and SBS, and also held a number of different roles at NITV since its inception in 2007, including as part of the team that launched the channel. 

She is a champion for a strong Indigenous media and improved representation of First Nations peoples and perspectives across the wider media sector. She is currently a member of the Board for Screen Careers and the World Indigenous Broadcasters Network, and previously held Board positions with Media Diversity Australia and First Nations Media Australia. She is also a non-Executive Director on the Board of the Starlight Foundation.  

 

Alang Galavangang is a respected member of the Bunun Tribe who was born in the Jumi Village of Xinyi Township, Nantou County, Taiwan, which is at the foot of the highest mountain, Yushan. He spent the first 18 years of his life living and learning in Nantou and his tribal community before moving to Taipei for university.

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After graduating, he worked as a legislative assistant to an indigenous legislator in the Taiwan Parliament, where he played a key role in drafting the “Indigenous Peoples Basic Law". From 2013 he was involved in the autonomous operation of the Indigenous TV channel, helping to establish various regulations and promote the channel's development and operational procedures from the early stages. He also facilitated collaboration with digital media-related organizations and units.

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Alang is actively engaged in the construction and operation of the buildings for the Indigenous Peoples Cultural Foundation, Taiwan Indigenous TV and Indigenous Radio.

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His vision is for the Indigenous Peoples Cultural Foundation to become the contact point for Taiwanese culture, connecting with Austronesian partners and stepping onto the international stage!

Monika Ille is a proud member of the Abenaki First Nation of Odanak and has made a lasting impact on the broadcasting industry over the course of her 35-year career. With a distinction in her graduation from the Université du Québec à Montréal, she began her journey in the industry by working for the Société Radio-Canada and then, for the National Film Board of Canada (NFB).

 

While at the NFB, Monika played a crucial role in developing a new training program for Indigenous filmmakers, which led to her producing her first documentary, French Man, Native Son. Throughout her career, she has also worked with organisations such as Quebec Native Women in Montréal and the Assembly of First Nations in Ottawa.

 

In 2003, Monika joined APTN as the Quebec liaison officer and quickly rose through the ranks to become the executive director of programming and scheduling. Her exceptional leadership and vision earned her the appointment as CEO of APTN in 2019. In 2020, Monika completed the McGill-HEC Montréal Executive MBA program.

 

In addition to her role at APTN, Monika serves as vice-chair on the board of the Université de Montréal and is a council member of the Ordre de Montréal. She is also an industry adjudicator on the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council – Quebec Regional Panel. Monika has received numerous accolades, including being named one of Maison Saint-Gabriel’s Exceptional Women, the Desautels Management Achievement Award from McGill University and named Executive of the Year by Playback in late 2022. In 2023, The Globe and Mail listed Monika as one of the 25 most influential people in Canadian television, and in 2024, she appeared on The Hollywood Reporter’s first list of Canada’s most powerful women in entertainment. Most recently she has been awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal in recognition of her outstanding contributions to Indigenous storytelling in Canadian media.

With 25 years of broadcasting experience, Jo Santamaria is a seasoned media professional dedicated to the advancement of Indigenous storytelling and global content collaboration. As the Coordinator of the World Indigenous Broadcasters Network (WIBN), she plays a pivotal role in strengthening international partnerships, co-producing culturally significant content, and driving strategic initiatives to support Indigenous media worldwide.

 

Originally from Monte Cassino, Italy, Jo's deep connection to history and cultural preservation has shaped her career and personal passions. Growing up in a region that was deeply impacted by World War II, she developed a strong commitment to honouring the stories of those who fought for freedom, particularly the 28th Māori Battalion, whose legacy is closely tied to the battles fought in her homeland.

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Jo’s extensive expertise spans production, marketing, budgeting, and team management. She has contributed to an impressive portfolio of productions, including award-winning documentaries ("Sciascia"), global franchises ("The Amazing Race") and iconic Indigenous television programs such as ("He Rau Aroha"). She has also co-produced content for Whakaata Māori, TVNZ, and SKY TV, including beloved series like Play School and Kai Time On The Road, as well as high-profile live broadcasts.

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A skilled negotiator, Jo has successfully secured international content-sharing agreements from the BBC and funding for Indigenous programming, ensuring Indigenous voices are amplified on the global stage. Based in Rotorua, Aotearoa (New Zealand), Jo is passionate about the power of Indigenous storytelling and the strength it brings to communities worldwide. She believes that through Indigenous media, people can connect, learn and find joy in shared experiences both as viewers and as active participants in the stories being told.