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Our People

Jen Penney

Jen Penney is a Yuwibara descendant with Irish & Scottish heritage, Jen was raised up on the Bindal and Walgurukaba peoples Country—Thul Garrie Waja —in the Murri/Townsville region.
 
Jen has 10 years’ experience as a Policy, Research and Community Engagement practitioner. She is also a professionally qualified and registered Social Worker and a tutor at the University of Wollongong. Jen brings extensive experience and a trauma informed approach into facilitation and learning spaces. Jen specialises in social policy analysis, qualitative and ethnographic research. Jen has developed and conducted a range of local and national level research projects. With her background in grass roots level qualitative research, social work and project management, Jen brings a unique perspective. Having developed both depth of experience and practice knowledge while working with government, corporate and not-for-profit enterprises Jen founded her own consultancy business: Ethicology.

Jen Penney

Jen Penney is a Yuwibara descendant with Irish & Scottish heritage, Jen was raised up on the Bindal and Walgurukaba peoples Country—Thul Garrie Waja —in the Murri/Townsville region.
 
Jen has 10 years’ experience as a Policy, Research and Community Engagement practitioner. She is also a professionally qualified and registered Social Worker and a tutor at the University of Wollongong. Jen brings extensive experience and a trauma informed approach into facilitation and learning spaces. Jen specialises in social policy analysis, qualitative and ethnographic research. Jen has developed and conducted a range of local and national level research projects. With her background in grass roots level qualitative research, social work and project management, Jen brings a unique perspective. Having developed both depth of experience and practice knowledge while working with government, corporate and not-for-profit enterprises Jen founded her own consultancy business: Ethicology.
Beyond her professional commitments, Jen is deeply passionate about Indigenous knowledge and promoting social justice through mentoring, nurturing her community and the natural world around her.
Jen volunteers within the community. Whether teaching university students, or tending to her garden and encouraging native plants, bees, and birds to thrive, Jen can be found happily yarning away in all sorts of places to promote Aboriginal ways of doing, being and knowing. Dedicated to the principles of grassroots activism, Jen is particularly invested in the wellbeing of Dharawal Country, where she spends much of her time.
 
Jen holds a Bachelor of Arts with First Class Honors, majoring in Sociology, and a Masters in Social Work awarded with Distinction (Professional Qualifying) from the University of Wollongong.
 
Jen is pursuing a PhD at the University of Wollongong in Faculty of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities.

Steve Penney

Steve specialises in business and commercial law. Early in his career Steve worked as a litigator in an award-winning law firm. His work was dedicated to ensuring that clients from diverse backgrounds were supported, had improved access to justice and were assisted during their greatest hour of need.
 
Steve has advanced legal research, problem solving and conflict resolution skills. He applies his unique skill to his legal and advocacy work to ensure swift and successful outcomes for clients. While working with the Federal government as a senior compliance officer for over 15 years Steve furthered his practice expertise by gaining a Master of Forensic Accounting with Distinction. He was the third solicitor in Australia to gain this qualification. In 2018 Steve established a successful boutique law firm specialising in commercial and taxation law.

Steve Penney

Steve specialises in business and commercial law. Early in his career Steve worked as a litigator in an award-winning law firm. His work was dedicated to ensuring that clients from diverse backgrounds were supported, had improved access to justice and were assisted during their greatest hour of need.
 
Steve has advanced legal research, problem solving and conflict resolution skills. He applies his unique skill to his legal and advocacy work to ensure swift and successful outcomes for clients. While working with the Federal government as a senior compliance officer for over 15 years Steve furthered his practice expertise by gaining a Master of Forensic Accounting with Distinction. He was the third solicitor in Australia to gain this qualification. In 2018 Steve established a successful boutique law firm specialising in commercial and taxation law.
Steve is committed to Indigenous economic justice as he understands unique and valuable contributions that flow from Aboriginal businesses. Steve has extensive experience working with First Nations people and businesses. As a trusted advisor Steve works tirelessly to achieve quality results. Steve can assist with realising, growing and protecting your business – especially If you are growing an idea to bring to market, in the very early stages of establishing your business, or well progressed in your business journey. Steve provides business structuring advice and understands the importance that contracts play in business. He can draft contractual clauses that protects your Indigenous cultural knowledge. He is well known to translate complex legal issues into plain English.
 
Steve can develop clear and achievable business plans, offer guidance to pitching business ideas and support you to develop existing and new products. Steve has the knowledge and skills to identify business risks and difficulties and will work with you to transform these into strengths and exciting new opportunities. He can also help you with, leasing, contracts, employment law, commercial agreements, legal structuring, minimising your tax and protecting your assets. He has skills in business and corporate governance.
 
Steve has undergraduate and postgraduate degrees from the University of Canberra, the Australian National University, the University of New South Wales and the University of Wollongong. He has an unrestricted practicing certificate and is admitted to practice law throughout Australia. His name has been entered onto the role of practitioners in the Australian High Court. He is also a Chartered Tax Adviser.
Steve is of Sámi decent, while he lives afar from his Finnish ancestral homeland, he maintains his connection to nature on Dharawal speaking Country where he lives, works, and cares for his family and community. Steve is an ally who works with people with disability and is a fierce advocate in the disability social justice space.
 
Steve is committed to Indigenous economic justice as he understands unique and valuable contributions that flow from Aboriginal businesses. Steve has extensive experience working with First Nations people and businesses. As a trusted advisor Steve works tirelessly to achieve quality results. Steve can assist with realising, growing and protecting your business – especially If you are growing an idea to bring to market, in the very early stages of establishing your business, or well progressed in your business journey. Steve provides business structuring advice and understands the importance that contracts play in business. He can draft contractual clauses that protects your Indigenous cultural knowledge. He is well known to translate complex legal issues into plain English.
 
Steve can develop clear and achievable business plans, offer guidance to pitching business ideas and support you to develop existing and new products. Steve has the knowledge and skills to identify business risks and difficulties and will work with you to transform these into strengths and exciting new opportunities. He can also help you with, leasing, contracts, employment law, commercial agreements, legal structuring, minimising your tax and protecting your assets. He has skills in business and corporate governance.
 
Steve has undergraduate and postgraduate degrees from the University of Canberra, the Australian National University, the University of New South Wales and the University of Wollongong. He has an unrestricted practicing certificate and is admitted to practice law throughout Australia. His name has been entered onto the role of practitioners in the Australian High Court. He is also a Chartered Tax Adviser.
Steve is of Sámi decent, while he lives afar from his Finnish ancestral homeland, he maintains his connection to nature on Dharawal speaking Country where he lives, works, and cares for his family and community. Steve is an ally who works with people with disability and is a fierce advocate in the disability social justice space.
 

OUR FOCUS

We deliver professional culturally responsive, trauma-informed evidence-based practices which foster capacity-building, collaboration, and meaningful change. Our team are committed to providing inclusive services to both Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities, organisations, and individuals.

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Ethicology acknowledges the custodianship of the Dharawal speaking peoples on whose lands which we operate from in the Illawarra region of NSW.
We extend respect and gratitude to Elders both past and present, as well as to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities: for they have nurtured and protected the diverse cultures and ensured the continuance of Indigenous ways, of knowing, doing and being since time immemorial.
As we engage in our business activities, we recognise that we benefit from Land, Sea and Sky Country and we commit to working in harmony with this place.
© 2024 Ethicology All Rights Reserved

Design & Development by AKIRE.Studio

Acknowledgment of Country
At Ethicology, we acknowledge and pay our deep respects to the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we operate in the Illawarra region, the Dharawal speaking peoples, the Wodi Wodi and the Yuin peoples. We recognise their enduring connection to this land and the rich cultural knowledge that has been passed down through countless generations since time immemorial.
 
We also extend our respects to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who call the Illawarra region home and acknowledge their contributions to the vibrant tapestry of our community.
 
As we engage in our business activities on this land, we acknowledge that we benefit from Land, Sea and Sky Country and we commit to working in harmony with this place. We recognise our responsibility to protect, preserve and respect the diverse Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, communities, Countries, cultures and their histories across our nation.
 
Our business is committed to nurturing positive relationships within both the local and broader community, while actively promoting a spirit of reconciliation and unity. We are committed to Indigenous self-determination rights and strive to uphold the principles of respect and inclusion in all our endeavors. As a profit for purpose business we exist to play a meaningful role shaping a more equitable and respectful future for all who share a connection to this land.