Isaiah Dawe

Raised in New South Wales’ foster care system, Isaiah Dawe’s difficult upbringing would only inspire him to become a force for good. From a young boy with limited literacy skills, to being the CEO and founder of ‘ID. Know Yourself’, Isaiah continues to support disadvantaged youths across Australia as a mentor and role model. 

Funded by the Department of Communities and Justice in NSW, the organisation guides young Indigenous people living in the out-of-home care system to break out of inter-generational trauma, empowering them to make a positive impact on themselves and their local community. Without a healthy support network, many youths are stripped of their culture and identity, leading to a rise in high school dropouts, homelessness and crime. ‘ID. Know Yourself’ hopes to bridge that gap by mentoring youths to become whoever they want to be, regardless of where they came from.

An inspiration to all, Isaiah was the first Aboriginal person to be awarded the TAFE NSW Student Graduate of the Year in 2017. Not long after, he also became the first Aboriginal person to be appointed Chair of the NSW Youth Advisory Committee, and was also named a Finalist for Channel Seven’s Young Achiever Award in 2019.

He continues to spread his motivational message of hope and resilience as a dedicated keynote speaker. Passionate about believing in the future, and the different possibilities that can arise when you move on from the past, Isaiah’s presentations reiterate his philosophy that anyone can make their dreams come true, no matter the circumstances.