Aidan glasby

(co-founder & co-managing director)

Aidan (brother to Kyra) brings a wide-ranging background shaped by practical skills, health care, environmental science, adventure and remote community work. Trained first as a shipwright and later as a nurse, he developed a strong appreciation for hands-on problem solving and working alongside communities in challenging settings, including remote Indigenous communities in the Northern Territory and Western Australia. His involvement in the Desert Microlight Odyssey reflected his interest in storytelling and sharing positive, strengths-based stories from remote Australia. Now practising as a dentist after graduating in 2025, Aidan supports Barefoot Initiative with a grounded, practical and community-focused perspective that aligns with its commitment to Afar-led development and locally identified priorities.

ALEXANDRA (LEXI) KENEALLY

Lexi is a nurse with experience in Indigenous health and a long-standing commitment to working respectfully alongside communities. Since first travelling to Ethiopia with the Barefoot Initiative team in 2010, she has been passionate about relationship-based support, women’s empowerment through education, and learning from Afar communities to help advance locally identified goals.

ANNA FAWCUS

Anna is an Australian fine art and documentary photographer whose work focuses on humanitarian, environmental and animal welfare projects. Since first visiting Afar with Barefoot Initiative in 2010, she has continued to support its community-led work by contributing photographs for fundraising and awareness.

KYRA MARWAHA

(co-founder & co-managing director)

Kyra (sister to Aidan) brings more than 20 years of international development experience across Ethiopia, Cambodia, Laos, India and Nepal, with expertise in community-led, multi-sector programs, health systems strengthening and child protection. Her work is grounded in strong partnerships with government, donors, civil society and local organisations, and she is deeply committed to supporting locally led development processes that respond to community priorities and build on existing strengths. Kyra’s early experience living and volunteering in a remote Afar village in Ethiopia shaped her respect for Afar culture and informed the founding of Barefoot Initiative.

ZESHI FISHER

Zeshi is a midwife with international health and development experience. Since first visiting Ethiopia with Barefoot Initiative in 2003, she has maintained a strong connection to the Afar region and brings expertise in health systems, data use and maternity-care quality improvement to support locally led priorities.

Kerry Taylor

Kerry Taylor was based and lived in central Australia for over 30 years, where she worked in Indigenous health and education. Kerry is now based in South Australia, and holds a strong interest in the principles of social justice and primary health care as a means of addressing inequities in health.