As an Indigenous business, we recognise the importance of First Nations peoples having a pathway into the workforce. Thirty percent of our current team is made up of Indigenous members, and since our inception, we have brought over twenty First Nations trainees and interns through our business. We are a diverse and inclusive team that believes in the power of our people.
Paul Dodd – Executive Director
Paul is the founder, majority owner and Executive Director of Geared Up Culcha. He identifies as a Bundjalung man, with traditional kinship ties to Wirri and Birriah First Nations.
Prior to establishing Geared Up Culcha, Paul worked at a senior level in both State and Federal Government agencies. With a bachelor’s degree in Aboriginal Community Management and Development, Paul has managed Indigenous community development projects for OxFam in Guatemala, Mexico, New Zealand, Canada and the United States. A strong advocate for the furtherment of Indigenous enterprise, Paul is extremely active in fostering engagement and cultural awareness between government, private industry and the Indigenous business sector in Australia.
Along with being a devoted husband and father, Paul is a die-hard South Sydney Rabbitohs supporter, and will happily relive the 2014 NRL Grand Final over and over again!
Jarrad Dawson – General Manager
A passionate leader focused on sales and customer experience, Jarrad brings a wealth of industry experience to the role of General Manager at Geared Up Culcha. Prior to joining the business, Jarrad worked for Blackwoods, Australia’s largest industrial and safety products supplier – where he was part of State and National Management teams – and Stramit, a leading manufacturer in the construction industry, as National Sales Operations Manager. His previous experience includes roles in the banking and FMCG sectors.
Originally from Western Sydney and with Wiradjuri kinship ties, Jarrad now resides in Meanjin-Brisbane with his wife and young family.