Mara Ba Kumba. Takehold of Tomorrow.

Your Indigenous partners in Australian business.

Who we are

Mara Ba Kumba comes from the Awabakal language, meaning “Takehold of Tomorrow”

A guiding principle that shapes everything we do. We specialise in expert project leadership & complex project delivery, business innovation strategy & facilitation, and Indigenous community engagement on behalf of clients seeking to build meaningful, respectful partnerships. 

Mara Ba Kumba is led by Directors, Lachlan Falconer-Adams & Steven Adams. From Gunnedah NSW, Lachlan & Steven are proud Kamilaroi men, their family originally from the Curlewis & Liverpool Plains region of North West NSW.

est.
2005

Two decades of shared expertise

What we do

Where Leadership Meets Culture & Innovation – Co-Designing Outcomes with Community, Clients & Country.

By aligning diverse needs and perspectives, we help individuals, public and private organisations, and communities overcome barriers and unlock lasting impacts.

As well as a suite of business services including; mediation & conflict resolution, client representation & promotion, and mentoring planning & delivery.

Why work with us

Trusted Leadership. Genuine Engagement.  Real Outcomes.

We combine strategic project leadership with cultural intelligence, helping clients and communities move forward together. From major infrastructure to grassroots initiatives, our work is built on trust, co-design, and long-term impact – not just deliverables.

Get started today

Whether you’re just beginning or pushing forward – we help turn vision into impact!

What Community & Clients Say About Us

Lachlan brought a level of cultural understanding and communication skills that directly improved outcomes in the setup of the temporary facilities … He quickly identified risks that planners had overlooked and mitigated them before they became issues for the local communities.

Mark Lamond
Director - Lamond Advisory

His commitment is clear in his success managing major infrastructure projects in Tamworth and Gunnedah, delivering real tangible benefits to the communities he served.

Sean Gordon
Executive Director – Yadha Muru Foundation & Managing Director - Gidgee Group Consulting and Partnerships

From the very beginning, Lachlan has impressed us with his outstanding communication skills and deep cultural understanding. Construction is not our area of expertise, so having someone we can trust and rely on throughout this process has been invaluable. Lachlan has become that trusted point of contact, bringing remarkable knowledge, drive, and enthusiasm to every stage of the project.

Damion Brown
CEO – Tamworth Aboriginal Medical Service

From the outset, Lachlan was dependable, organised, and could be trusted to get on with the job while keeping me looped in when it mattered. That kind of judgement is hard to teach, and it made working together very easy – especially in environments that were often politically complex and resource constrained.

Jackie Hawkins
Senior Project Director - Health Infrastructure

Mara Ba Kumba’s thoughtful interactions enabled all Community as a whole to feel heard and valued as part of the project. Whether it was a concern raised, or a suggestion put forward they honoured their words with respect and genuine interest.

Hollie Crawford
A/Associate Director, NSW Procurement

Throughout the process, Steve’s approach was always collaborative, ensuring open communication and fostering a supportive environment. His dedication, professionalism, and ability to connect with individuals from all walks of life made working with him a seamless and rewarding experience.

Thanks to Steve, the program was a resounding success, and we saw tangible improvements in recruitment and training outcomes. His warmth and expertise made all the difference – he truly is a standout in his field.

Lieutenant Colonel Russ Mullins
CSC

His integrity and character are evident in all his endeavours, making a significant positive impact on educational communities in the Hunter and Lake Macquarie regions.

 

Dr Fiona Walsh
Director, Educational Leadership – Lake Macquarie West Principals Network

Steven is a highly collaborative, collegial and effective Board Member and Governance Committee Chair. Through his leadership style he enables a high-functioning and respectful dynamic in committees and supports open and transparent participation by all.

Dr Anne-Marie Feyer
Chair – WentWest PHN

Lachlan is an engaged and collaborative Project Director who’s a pleasure to work alongside. He genuinely values the role of strategic communications in mitigating risk, achieving milestones, and keeping projects running smoothly. 

He ensures stakeholders feel informed, respected, and truly part of the journey. Always responsive and supportive, Lachlan embraces opportunities across media, social channels, and all forms of communication, making him an asset to any team.

Monique Wakefield
Director – uncomMon

Steven combines strategic vision with genuine cultural understanding, leading with integrity and achieving lasting results for both community and industry. He is a true advocate for self-determination and economic participation, and it has been a privilege to work alongside him.

Paul Franc
Managing Director – Ostara Australia

He is an Aboriginal leader that really understands the challenges of Aboriginal business and also how to engage productively with corporate Australia.

James van Smeerdijk
Managing Director – Atticusnow