Leadership can look like many things—but for Isaiah Dawe, it begins with truth-telling, healing, and showing others what’s possible.
A proud Butchulla and Gawara man, Isaiah is the founder and CEO of ID. Know Yourself, an organisation that’s changing the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people in out-of-home care across Australia.
Isaiah’s path wasn’t easy. Raised in foster care in New South Wales, he spent much of his childhood disconnected from family, culture, and identity. Without the guidance many young people rely on, he often had to find his way alone. But rather than letting that experience define him, Isaiah transformed it into purpose—a mission to ensure no young person in care ever feels alone again.
That mission became ID. Know Yourself—a support and mentoring program that reconnects Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth with their culture, community, and sense of self.
Backed by the NSW Department of Communities and Justice, the program provides cultural mentoring, life skills development, and emotional support. At its heart is a powerful belief: that knowing who you are and where you come from is the foundation for everything that comes next.
Isaiah understands deeply that when identity is missing, vision for the future becomes harder to grasp. Through this work, he helps young people rediscover their pride, reimagine their potential, and walk forward with confidence—not only for themselves, but for the generations that follow.
Isaiah’s impact reaches well beyond the program.
In 2017, he became the first Aboriginal recipient of TAFE NSW’s Student Graduate of the Year. That same year, he was appointed the first Aboriginal Chair of the NSW Youth Advisory Committee, advocating for young voices at the policy level.
A 2019 finalist in the Channel Seven Young Achiever Awards, Isaiah has since become a sought-after keynote speaker—sharing his story with students, communities, corporate leaders, and policymakers. In every space, his message remains grounded in resilience, culture, and the power of self-belief.
Isaiah doesn’t speak to impress—he speaks to connect. His leadership is defined not by perfection, but by courage, humility, and lived experience.
He reminds us that leadership can be quiet and steady. It can come from struggle. It can be about lifting others, not just rising yourself.
Through ID. Know Yourself, he continues to walk alongside young people navigating complex challenges—from disconnection and school exclusion to homelessness and interactions with the justice system. His vision is clear: every child should grow up knowing who they are, where they come from, and what they’re capable of.
Isaiah Dawe’s leadership reflects the kind of future we all want to help build—one where pride, identity, and opportunity go hand in hand. He shows us what’s possible when culture and community lead the way—and when the journey of one becomes a path for many.
