Executive Management Committee Members 2024/2025
President: Kaday Conteh
Vice President: Ebenezer Assibey-Bonsu
Treasurer: Anu Burayou
Secretary: Georgina Yiannakis
Our Society is run by volunteers who serve on our Management Committee. See all Management Committee Members below.
Kaday Conteh
President
Kaday Conteh is the current President of the Society of African Australian Lawyers Inc and co-founder of the organisation.
She is a dual qualified UK/ Australia practitioner with a broad background in commercial property. She currently works as a Special Counsel at Hamilton Locke where she specialises in energy real estate, assisting developers and investors to secure land tenure and access rights for the construction and development of renewable energy projects and infrastructure across Australia – encompassing wind, solar, BESS and a range of hybrid facilities.
She is passionate about promoting diversity and inclusivity for ethnic minority professionals across the legal industry and creating opportunity and community.
She is a dual qualified UK/ Australia practitioner with a broad background in commercial property. She currently works as a Special Counsel at Hamilton Locke where she specialises in energy real estate, assisting developers and investors to secure land tenure and access rights for the construction and development of renewable energy projects and infrastructure across Australia – encompassing wind, solar, BESS and a range of hybrid facilities.
She is passionate about promoting diversity and inclusivity for ethnic minority professionals across the legal industry and creating opportunity and community.
Ebenezer Assibey-Bonsu
Vice-President
Ebenezer Assibey-Bonsu is passionate about giving back to the community and serves on the board for African Professionals Australia and is SAALI’s current Vice President.
As an experienced commercial litigator, focusing on construction disputes, corporate insolvency, and restructuring, Ebenezer has represented and advised clients in a broad range of litigation matters, including large construction defect claims and recovery proceedings, regulatory defence matters (ASIC prosecutions and WorkSafe prosecutions), and general commercial disputes (banking and finance litigation and debt recovery).
Ebenezer was instrumental in establishing the first African Law Student Award in 2024. In 2025 he will again oversee the selection process and head up the selection panel for this prestigious Award.
As an experienced commercial litigator, focusing on construction disputes, corporate insolvency, and restructuring, Ebenezer has represented and advised clients in a broad range of litigation matters, including large construction defect claims and recovery proceedings, regulatory defence matters (ASIC prosecutions and WorkSafe prosecutions), and general commercial disputes (banking and finance litigation and debt recovery).
Ebenezer was instrumental in establishing the first African Law Student Award in 2024. In 2025 he will again oversee the selection process and head up the selection panel for this prestigious Award.
Georgina Yiannakis
Secretary
Georgina Yiannnakis is a Malawian-born law graduate with a double degree in Law and Business. She has been working at Efficient Law Group for the past year, primarily focusing on family and criminal law, and is set to be admitted as a lawyer in June 2025.
As Secretary of the Society of African Australian Lawyers, Georgina plays a key role in the day-to-day functioning of the Society. She is responsible for assisting with administrative tasks and attending member meetings, preparing and distributing the minutes and ensuring effective communication within the board.
She also liaises with external stakeholders and third-party organisations on behalf of the President to support the Society’s events, partnerships and broader initiatives. Driven by a strong passion for justice, Georgina is committed to using her skills and experience to advocate for equity, representation and meaningful change within the legal profession and the broader community.
As Secretary of the Society of African Australian Lawyers, Georgina plays a key role in the day-to-day functioning of the Society. She is responsible for assisting with administrative tasks and attending member meetings, preparing and distributing the minutes and ensuring effective communication within the board.
She also liaises with external stakeholders and third-party organisations on behalf of the President to support the Society’s events, partnerships and broader initiatives. Driven by a strong passion for justice, Georgina is committed to using her skills and experience to advocate for equity, representation and meaningful change within the legal profession and the broader community.
Elias Mulenga
Treasurer
Elias Mulenga is passionate about giving back to the community and currently holds the position of Finance Officer at Edith Cowan University.
Dalitso Banda
Committee Member
Dalitso Banda and Kaday Conteh are the co-founders of SAALI, establishing the society in July 2020 amid the Covid pandemic.
Dalitso is a Principal of Bennett and a leading Commercial Litigation & Dispute Resolution lawyer. He has acted for a broad range of clients including publicly listed companies and proprietary companies involved in industrial sectors such as Mining and Resources, Engineering and Construction, Investments, Information Technology, Professional Services, Property, Agriculture and Transport.
Dalitso is listed by Doyle’s Guide in the Leading Commercial Litigation & Dispute Resolution Lawyers – Western Australia, 2019, 2022, 2023 and 2024.
Dalitso is a Principal of Bennett and a leading Commercial Litigation & Dispute Resolution lawyer. He has acted for a broad range of clients including publicly listed companies and proprietary companies involved in industrial sectors such as Mining and Resources, Engineering and Construction, Investments, Information Technology, Professional Services, Property, Agriculture and Transport.
Dalitso is listed by Doyle’s Guide in the Leading Commercial Litigation & Dispute Resolution Lawyers – Western Australia, 2019, 2022, 2023 and 2024.
Carmen Maughan
Communication and Social Media Engagement
Carmen is a learning and development specialist with considerable experience within the legal profession across membership associations and legal private practice in a career spanning 25 years.
Carmen joined SAALI in November 2022 and has served on the Management Committee since July 2023. Her responsibilities include Communications and Social Media Engagement through the management of our EDMs, WhatsApp Group, LinkedIn and Instagram accounts. She is also the liaison person for sponsors.
Her current projects include our Annual Quiz Night and our Book Club.
Carmen joined SAALI in November 2022 and has served on the Management Committee since July 2023. Her responsibilities include Communications and Social Media Engagement through the management of our EDMs, WhatsApp Group, LinkedIn and Instagram accounts. She is also the liaison person for sponsors.
Her current projects include our Annual Quiz Night and our Book Club.
Nana Kwakwaa Akuoko-Tawiah
Committee Member
Nana Kwakwaa Akuoko-Tawiah is a
practicing lawyer at Women’s Legal Service WA, specializing in Family Law and Care & Protection. With a strong background in the legal, health, and community service sectors, she is dedicated to empowering vulnerable communities through legal advocacy.
As a member of the SAALI Management Committee, Nana Kwakwaa promotes a supportive professional network for African Australian lawyers and law students. Her responsibilities include coordinating events, engaging with community stakeholders, mentoring emerging legal professionals, and supporting initiatives that enhance access to legal information within African communities.
practicing lawyer at Women’s Legal Service WA, specializing in Family Law and Care & Protection. With a strong background in the legal, health, and community service sectors, she is dedicated to empowering vulnerable communities through legal advocacy.
As a member of the SAALI Management Committee, Nana Kwakwaa promotes a supportive professional network for African Australian lawyers and law students. Her responsibilities include coordinating events, engaging with community stakeholders, mentoring emerging legal professionals, and supporting initiatives that enhance access to legal information within African communities.
Taona Maforimbo
Committee Member
Taona Maforimbo is a SAALI Management Committee Member where he focuses on student engagement initiatives and recently developed the Society’s new website to improve visibility and community access.
He is a penultimate year law student at Murdoch University with experience in legal support roles across different areas of law. He also actively participates in Law Society programs and adjudicated in Law Society vs College of Law client interview competitions.
Taona is passionate about increasing representation of African Australian law students and building platforms that foster access, opportunity and professional growth for emerging legal professionals from diverse backgrounds.
He is a penultimate year law student at Murdoch University with experience in legal support roles across different areas of law. He also actively participates in Law Society programs and adjudicated in Law Society vs College of Law client interview competitions.
Taona is passionate about increasing representation of African Australian law students and building platforms that foster access, opportunity and professional growth for emerging legal professionals from diverse backgrounds.
Katherine Baim
Committee Member
Katherine Baim, a senior telecommunications company lawyers, is passionate about giving back to the community.
Muneira Jibril
Committee Member
Muneira is final year law student at Curtin University who is commencing a Law Graduate role at Lavan in 2026. Muneira currently holds the position of Vice President at Curtin Student Law Society (CSLS) and has been involved with the CSLS in various roles since 2021.
Muneira Jibril is passionate about giving back to the community and was awarded the Geoff Ajduk Memorial Prize in 2023 for her community involvement and outstanding academic achievements.
As SAALI’s Communications Officer, Muneira’s role is to promote SAALI events across various social media platforms, assist with SAALI’s newsletter and other communications requirements including design aspects as required.
Muneira Jibril is passionate about giving back to the community and was awarded the Geoff Ajduk Memorial Prize in 2023 for her community involvement and outstanding academic achievements.
As SAALI’s Communications Officer, Muneira’s role is to promote SAALI events across various social media platforms, assist with SAALI’s newsletter and other communications requirements including design aspects as required.
Philip Njoroge
Committee Member
Philip Njoroge is passionate about giving back to the community and currently holds the position of Law Clerk at Kate King Legal.
Panashe Cynthia Mudimu
Committee Member
Panashe is passionate about giving back to the community, she is a final year law student at Murdoch University and currently holds the position of President of the Murdoch African Society.
After winning the 2025 Student Award, Panashe has volunteered to serve on the Committee and will be facilitating student engagement.
After winning the 2025 Student Award, Panashe has volunteered to serve on the Committee and will be facilitating student engagement.
