Our People

Rita Anwari

Rita Anwari, the founder and President of the Afghanistan Australia Chamber of Commerce

Rita Anwari is a visionary leader and President of the Afghanistan Australia Chamber of Commerce, committed to building strong economic and educational bridges between Australia Afghanistan and many different countries. Her vision centers on creating sustainable, mutually beneficial connections that open doors to trade, foster cross-cultural understanding, and drive community empowerment. Through her role, Rita has traveled to over 25 countries, actively forging partnerships that strengthen Australia’s role in global trade and educational collaboration.

With a background spanning community engagement, government, business development, and education, Rita’s dedication to empowering women and youth shines through her work. As the founder of Women Empowerment and Leadership (WEL) and Peace for Asia, she has been a passionate advocate for women’s rights, launching programs that secure educational opportunities, including Ph.D. scholarships for Afghan students at Australian universities.

Rita’s vision extends to the sports and multicultural spheres as well. As an Australian Cricket Multicultural Ambassador, she promotes diversity and inclusion within Australian sports. She has received over 50 awards, including the Australian flag token from Senate Australia of the Year, recognizing her impact across sectors. Through her work and leadership, Rita exemplifies a commitment to sustainable change and is highly regarded as a transformative figure bridging nations, communities, and cultures.

Gary Fenlon

Gary Fenlon is a prominent advocate for Australia’s international investment and trade and understands the strong potential of Australia engaging markets from the sub-continent to the middle east.

He believes that Australia occupies a significant geographical position to facilitate trade in the region as it is placed between the Indian and Pacific oceans and has diverse connections to Asia and the Pacific region. He sees Australia as a corridor to the wider region.

Gary has substantial networks in business and in governments as he has served for 17 years as an elected member of the Queensland Parliament including responsibilities as an Assistant Minister at the Queensland Government.

He holds a Bachelor of Business and a Master of Arts and qualified in teaching, he is also a passionate educator and trainer.

Dianne Reilly

Dianne Reilly brings a wealth of expertise in communications, public policy, and leadership, drawing from her extensive career in both the public and private sectors. As Principal of Dianne Reilly Communications, she has provided strategic communications guidance, underpinned by her prior roles as a Public Relations and Communications Manager for the Gold Coast Institute of TAFE and Griffith University’s Gold Coast Campus.

Dianne’s dedication to public service is evident in her long-standing commitment to the Australian Labor Party (ALP) and her extensive parliamentary experience. She has held various ALP positions, including Member of Queensland Parliament, Vice President and Treasurer of the Nerang Branch, and has served as a member of several Ministerial Legislative Committees focused on critical areas such as Child Safety, Environment and Multiculturalism, Health, and Education. Dianne also played a key role as Chair and Member of multiple Estimates Committees, where her leadership helped oversee budget allocations and policies affecting communities across Queensland.

In addition to her professional achievements, Dianne is actively engaged in personal pursuits, including bushwalking, art, and community-building activities that enhance her insight into local issues and strengthen her ability to connect with people. Dianne’s background in policy, communications, and governance makes her an invaluable asset to the Chamber of Commerce, where she will contribute her vision for fostering robust business connections and enhancing community resilience.

Linda Chan

The Math Genius Raised On a Secret Chinese Military Base Who Became an International Trade Guru

Lindy Chen is the founder and Managing Director of ChinaDirect Sourcing Services, author of ‘Import From China. How To Make A Million…and Not Get Burnt!’ and co-author of “Women On Top”.

Lindy is a dynamic, ‘bicultural’ business facilitator blending the best from the East and the West, with a natural ability to connect people from diverse backgrounds. She is considered one of Australia’s foremost experts on doing business with China, and was a finalist in the 2007 Queensland Businesswoman of the Year Awards.

As a world leading authority on doing business with China, Lindy has featured in publications from The Courier Mail to BRW magazine, and has been a finalist and winner in many prestigious awards, including:

* Winner – International Woman of the year Awards Stevie awards 2015

* Winner – HKABA-QLD Chapter Business Awards 2014 Excellence in importing

* Finalist – My Business Awards (2014) for Women in Business & Best Business

Leader

* Winner – Australian Small Business Champion Awards, Entrepreneur of the Year

2013

* Winner – Lord Mayor Multicultural Award Entrepreneur of the Year (2013)

* Winner – HKABA-QLD Chapter Business Awards 2012 Excellence in importing

* State Finalist – Telstra Business Awards 2012

* Q400 – top 400 Queensland business 2012

* Finalist – Young entrepreneur of the year Brisbane 2011, 2010

* Finalist – My Business Awards 2011, entrepreneur of the year 2011

* State Finalist – Telstra Business Women Awards 2010

* State Finalist – Telstra Business Awards 2009

* Winner – Australian Small Business Champion Awards, Entrepreneur of the Year 2009

* National Finalist – Ethnic Business Awards 2009

* Women In Business Queensland Businesswoman of the Year Awards 2010 ’09, 08 and ‘07

* Australian Institute of Management’s Management Excellence Awards 2008

* Winner – Australian home-based business awards 2007

* My Business Awards, Fastest Growing Small Business 2007

Lindy has more then fifteen years’ experience in International Trade, and is a member of the Australia China Business Council.

She is also the founder of the Australian Charities Buying Group, which makes it possible for charities to source and import commonly needed products from China cooperatively, thus saving on costs and time.

Her business goal is to grow ChinaDirect into the world’s leading sourcing firm.

She is also a mentor for the QLD government. So far she has mentored more than 600 different business’s and has been instrumental in helping them achieve their objectives.

Lindy has helped many of her clients entering into the China market.

Her government profile is:

http://www.smallbusinesssolutions.qld.gov.au/content/sbs-standard.asp?name=MentorsBNN- LindyChen

Lindy Chen Wikipedia profile on Lindy Chen:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lindy_Chen

Her accountant’s testimonial:

http://smaccountants.com.au/client-focus-lindy-chen/

Her Chinese profile:

http://baike.baidu.com/view/12122186.htm

Her website:

http://www.lindychen.com.au/index.php

CHINA DIRECT SOURCING

Lindy formed ChinaDirect Souring in 2005 to assist Australian Companies source and import products from China. The company now includes assisting Australian companies who wish to export products to China.

ChinaDirect won the overall award in the 2007 Australian Home-Based Business Awards, as well as the Business Services category.

They were also honored by being named a finalist in the 2007 Australian Small Business Champion Awards, and a finalist in the 2007 ActionCOACH My Business Awards.

In less than six years since staring her business in 2005, Lindy has saved her clients over $5 million in procurement costs.

In 2008, ChinaDirect were again honoured by winning the Business Services category of the Australian Small Business Champion Awards for Qld, and in 2007, won the Australian Home- Based Business Awards.

Additionally, ChinaDirect Sourcing made the BRW Fast Starter List in April 2010 as one of the 100 fastest growing businesses in Australia. ChinaDirect has also made Q400 in Dec 2011.

CHINADIRECT INVESTMENT

Lindy formed ChinaDirect Investment in 2015 together with her business partner Robert Li to assist Australian Companies distribute products to China, expand into the Chinese market, with product and service knowledge to help them gain a market and attract Chinese investment for Australian business.

ChinaDirect investment scope of work, to assist Australian Business: • Product/Service export to china

* Product distribution to china

* Attracting Chinese Investors

* Finding a Chinese JV partner • China market entry analysis

* Business strategic acquisition

LINDY’S HISTORY AND BRIGHT FUTURE

Born in China, she migrated to Australia in 2002.

Education was Lindy’s access out of a poor background, so her personal goal is to provide education scholarships to 1,000 underprivileged children in China by 2017.

Her business philosophy is that the size of ChinaDirect’s cause will determine the size of its effect.

This led her to start Australia’s first national charities buying group, and plans to offer carbon neutral importing.

Lindy has strong leadership qualities that are demonstrated by her ability to motivate and inspire employees to fulfil their potential. Lindy’s contribution to the organisation’s success has been in developing a unique business model, and then systemising the business.

The company has experienced exponential growth, guided by a mission of “making clients prosperous and globally competitive”, with clients including MiniMovers and Merlo Coffee.

Her willingness to take risks and do things differently has had her overcome many obstacles to achieve success. This includes starting the business on a budget of only $2,000, and launching ChinaDirect Sourcing Services on a PC in an Internet café.

ChinaDirect operate differently to the average broker. For example, they are transparent in providing full details of Chinese suppliers they source for Australian clients, and refuse commissions from Chinese suppliers.

Lindy has an impressive track record in China and Australia.

Before settling in Australia, she held senior management roles in Chinese and Australian companies.

However, it wasn’t all up and up. Upon arriving in Australia in 2002, Lindy couldn’t find a job, so took on various volunteer roles.

This included raising awareness of China by organising community events for her local council, promoting the use of public transport, and running events showcasing the talents of multicultural youth.

Then Lindy got a big break… Selling movie tickets door to door! After three weeks she’d made the grand sum of $100, and wore out two pairs of runners. But she learnt how to read a map and gained the confidence to talk English with people.

Lindy then spent seven months studying English, at the end of which she taught Business Administration at The Australian Business College in Adelaide. She then took up a position lecturing in International Trade at TAFE in South Australia.

During this time, friends were asking her to source products for them from China. She had an extraordinary talent for this, and with high demand for this service, turned it into a business.

With her strategic project management skills and strong business acumen, she continues to assist many Australian companies grow through product innovation and bottom line savings.

ChinaDirect gains most new clients after they see Lindy talk at China business seminars, or through word of mouth. Lindy is passionate about building bridges between China and Australia, and has given her time freely to speak for organisations such as the Australian Institute of Management, Queensland Police and James Cook University.

She has a strong desire to raise Australian’s awareness of China, and vice versa, so the two countries can grow harmoniously together. Recently her book, ‘Import From China…How To Make a Million and Not Get Burnt’, was published including a DVD version, both of which has made record sales and Lindy is already on her 5th Edition.

PERSONAL TIDBITS

* Prior to the Communist Revolution in 1949, Lindy’s forebears were reasonably wealthy, until they had all assets forcibly removed by the Government.

* Born and raised on a military base known only as ‘143’ in remote China, her father was imprisoned for three weeks when her sister stepped on a Chairman Mao chalk drawing on the footpath.

* After the Tiananmen Square incident, Lindy underwent ‘thought examination’ for two hours each week at University, made to spill any ‘not so good’ thoughts against the Communist Party.

* The Chinese know more about Australia than we think. Lindy learned ‘Click Go The Shears’ in Grade 3!

Nazir Barakzai

Secretary Afghanistan Australia Chamber of Commerce and investment

Lakmal Isuru Yapa

SeniorMigration Agent Registration Number (MARN): 1386407 | Qualified Education Agent Counsellor (QEAC): L128

Lakmal Isuru Yapa is a seasoned international business professional with a distinguished career in migration and education services. Armed with an MBA from Griffith University, he has founded and managed multiple successful businesses, including Sirus Migration & Education, where he excels as a Registered Migration Agent. With a strategic vision, Isuru has led his organization to prominence through strong alliances and a focus on sustainable growth.

In his role as a director, Isuru is committed to building high-performance teams by recruiting, developing, and motivating skilled professionals. Leading a team of over 40, he drives business development and expansion efforts, securing key contracts and fostering relationships with local executives. His negotiation acumen has allowed him to create favorable agreements, control costs, and increase revenue streams for the organization.

As an executive board member of the Chamber of Commerce, Isuru brings his deep expertise in migration and international business, along with a proactive approach to industry trends and legislative developments. His dedication to adapting strategies to current market needs makes him a valuable asset to the Chamber’s mission of fostering growth and connecting businesses across borders.

Linna Reakes

Linna Reakes is an accomplished property strategist and business leader, with extensive experience in guiding investors through the Australian residential property market. As Director of OMR Property & Sunplace Rental, Linna has successfully helped hundreds of investors build and grow portfolios across Australia’s major cities, contributing to economic growth and empowering clients to achieve financial independence.

With over nine years in property strategy, Linna has a strong track record, recognized as a top performer by leading developers like Fraser Property, Marquee, Ausbuild, and Choice Homes. She is also a proactive investor, having built a personal property portfolio worth over $6 million.

Linna is deeply committed to community engagement and leadership, demonstrated by her role as Director of the Women Empowerment & Leadership Organisation. Her work includes supporting initiatives such as “The Meaningful Sharing Life Journey” with the Southside Migrant Association and leadership development programs for emerging professionals.

Her vision aligns perfectly with the Chamber’s mission to foster business growth, facilitate cross-border trade, and strengthen community ties. As an Executive Board Member, Linna brings her strategic insight, dedication to empowering others, and a commitment to advancing commerce and investment both locally and globally.

Ajmal Hameed Abdul Rahimzai

Mr. Abdulrahimzai was born in Logar in the year 1986. He is graduated from Mohammad Agha High school and attended University of Nangarhar from 2005 to 2009 and achieved first grade. Mr. Abdulrahimzai has successfully passed Indian scholarship scheme entrance exam in 2010 and completed his Master of Business Administration (MBA) with first division major in Finance from Osmania International University in 2012.
Mr. Abdulrahimzai has worked in different governmental and non-governmental organizations and has 15 years of working experience in public finance and administrative, Strategic Relations, Project Management and teaching areas. During 2003 – 09, he worked with Awaz Communication Center, Keleed Group and Asia Foundation in differen

t positions which later in 2010 he was assigned as Project Manager for Awaz Communication Center project.

In 2012 -15 Mr. Abdulrahimzai worked as Finance Specialist in UNDP with the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock and also as Finance and Accounts Advisor through one of USAID projects in the Ministry of Education. He also served as part time lecturer and Head of the Business Management Department during 2012 – 15.

Mr. Abdulrahimzai started serving as Senior Strategic and Public Communication Advisor at Ministry of Finance (MOF) in 2015 that soon he became Director and Spokesperson to the Ministry of Finance and served till 2018. During his tenure as Strategic and Public Communication Director and Spokesperson, Mr. Abdulrahimzai was awarded with Meer Masjidi Khan and Meer Bacha Khan high level government medals and three first rank appreciation letters by the president of Afghanistan Mohammad Ashraf Ghani for his valuable achievements in providing the accurate and on time information about the economic and financial affairs of the country to the media and public in Ministry of Finance. He also received the title of Spokesperson of the year in a conference held by the youth of Ministry of Information and Culture and Civil Society organizations in 2017. Meanwhile he received the Golden Key Award by Access to Information Commission for sharing the information with the public and media with accuracy and on time. On January 27, 2019, Mr. Abdulrahimzai was awarded the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) distinguished Alumni award 2018. He was selected among 170 ICCR member countries’ scholars and more than 20,000 Afghan graduates from different Indian universities for his achievements in serving for different government agencies, this award was also felicitated by Kabul University.

In 2018 by a presidential decree Mr. Abdulrahimzai was assigned as the Deputy Minister for Administration and Finance to the Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MoIC), he was officially introduced to MoIC officials on August 8, 2018 and in 2019 he promoted as DM for Trade Affairs of Afghanistan Ministry of Industry and Commerce.

Freya Ostapovich

Freya Ostapovich was a Queensland State Member of Parliament until 2015. During her time as an MP Freya was on the board of the State Government’s finance and administration committee.

Freya is a life long business entrepreneur starting very successful businesses and has built a large property portfolio. Presently she is a licensed property agent specializing in investments and involved in growing 2 startup companies.

She is the current President of the Sunnybank Chamber of Commerce and Vice President of the Australia Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Mining and and VP of Australian Property Alliance.

A trained nurse in Psychiatry she now serves on the board of the society for brain mapping and Therapeutics which has taken her to Neuroscience conferences at G20 countries for the past 5 years.

Connie

Connie is an Australian citizen and is an award-winning project director and an entrepreneur. She is highly regarded for generating innovative ideas and delivering complex projects and programs with State and National significance in Australia and overseas over the past 18 years across various industries such as infrastructure, information and communication technology, transport and supply chain, mining, renewable energy and, oil and gas. With a background in accounting and computer science, Connie is a Certified Practising Project Director in Australia and has a Master in Business Administration from the Queensland University of Technology.

She is the founder and the President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Australia Philippines and a Board Member of the Brisbane Lord Mayor Multicultural Business Round Table. She is also a consultant with the Queensland University of Technology delivering three major nation-building training programs (transport management & planning (2018), public sector project management (2019), contract management in public-private partnership (2020-21) for the Philippine Government agencies funded by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade through the Australia Awards and Alumni Engagement Program – Philippines. Through her work, Connie is influential with heads of government and captains of industry and influential in trade policies.

Tariq Kareemi

Tariq is Co-Director of the Afghanistan-Australia Chamber of Commerce and Investment and Managing Partner of a corporate commercial law firm, LexGlobal Partners.

Tariq is a legal professional, with a Juris Doctor degree, Master of International Law and International Relations degree, and an undergraduate law degree with a graduate certificate in Australia migration law and practice.

Tariq has worked for private firms and a major Australian public corporation and has broad knowledge and experience in legal aspects of contracting procurement and immigration. His experience as an attorney and project manager in Afghanistan expanded his legal and commercial sphere of expertise, particularly in the business setup, investment, consultancy, and mining law.

Najibullah Wardak

Najibullah has program management experience in various Afghangovernmental positions and development programs funded by international donors such as USAID, the World Bank, the Asia Development Band (ADB), the UN, and in addition having working experience of the private sector of Afghanistan as well. I worked as Deputy Minister for Customs and Revenue (taxation) of the Ministry of Finance.

In addition, was leading bi lateral economic commissions with several regional countries with wide range of economic issues including export facilitation and enhancement. Prior to the DM position, I worked as the Project Director of the Capacity Building for Results Project (CBR); one of the most prominent reform program, funded by the World Bank, within the Government of Afghanistan. I also served as Director General for Afghanistan Customs Department. During my tenure as DG (Customs), I negotiated several trade and cross border facilitation agreements with neighboring and regional countries.

Fluent in Dari, Pashto, and English, with limited Urdu language skills. I earned an Executive Masters from the Graduate Institute of Geneva in Development Policies and Practices, in addition to my medical degree from Kabul Medical University.

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