Zhanae Dodd is a proud Ghungalu, Wadja, Birri, Widi/Wiri, and Kaanju belonging to the Gurubil skin group. She is a trailblazing leader at the crossroads of cross-cultural competency and renewable energy. As the founder of Groove Co., she actively fosters understanding among diverse communities both domestically and internationally, with a large focus on increasing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representation, understanding, connection, and involvement across the Pacific Region and North America. Zhanae enjoys her role shaping international relations discussions through her active participation in the 2023 Young Australians in International Affairs Future Leaders Series, as an East West Center Fellow, Young Pacific Leader alum, and Pacific Australia Youth Association Inc. Ambassador. She is also a Regional Australia Partner for U.S-based company Cultural Vista's and spearheads the partnership's role at Global Voices Australia. In 2023, she and her business, Groove Co., brought to life the Yambanga Yuindi Exchange, offering Indigenous Youth from regional areas the opportunity to engage in an 8-month cultural immersion program, followed by a week of cultural exchange to Aotearoa where her dance group, which she led, was the first Aboriginal group in history to perform at Polyfest, the world's largest Polynesian festival. Recognized for her impactful contributions, she was a finalist for the Australian Human Rights Youth Medal 2022 and a recipient of the QATSICPP Youth Advocacy Award 2022. With a diverse professional background spanning journalism, marketing, community engagement, government, and Youth Justice-focused case management, Zhanae is a versatile leader. Her influence extends to news broadcasts, such as ABC’s The Drum, where she amplifies Indigenous voices and advocates for social justice. Beyond entrepreneurship, Zhanae contributes as a consultant for Strategy&Ops, adding strategic acumen to organizational excellence, and her research role for CQUniversity showcases her dedication to advancing knowledge. Storytelling across written, dance, song, and general performing arts is also essential to her work. She is an internationally published poet in Talanoa, and these creative pursuits are how she makes sense of the world, how she connects to her ancestors, and how she amplifies the experiences of her people and culture beyond Australia. In 2024, Zhanae and her business are engaging in the exchange space again, with a three-way youth and tourism exchange experience between Māori, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, and First Nations Canadian young people. Her other international work for 2024 includes First Nations Australian International storytelling and intellectual property rights, Indigenous Australian and Pacific Diaspora innovation workshops across Australasia, and regional development with Cultural Vistas (U.S organization). Additionally, Zhanae has been accepted to the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York for their two-year conservatory of acting, starting in the fall. The program costs quite a bit, so she is actively seeking support to pursue her passion for acting alongside her impactful work in cross-cultural competency and renewable energy.