Ali brings resilience, vision, and community focus to his professional journey. Having survived the war in Congo and migrated to Australia, he founded SAMAF Consultants to support international students, migrants, and refugees in navigating and succeeding in Australia. What began from a small home office has grown into a multi-state organisation with over 30 staff and contractors, supporting more than 2,000 individuals, 100 businesses, and over 10 not-for-profit organisations.
SAMAF provides workforce training, social support, and community empowerment, including its social enterprise arm, Top End Maintenance, which employs asylum seekers and survivors of domestic violence. Ali has also worked closely with Indigenous and multicultural organisations, including The Arnhem Land Progress Aboriginal Corporation, delivering training for PALM workers and First Nations communities. As a tutor for the Indigenous Tutorial Assistance Scheme, he has mentored numerous students, contributing to several success stories.
Ali has maintained strong links with CDU, regularly participating in the Careers Centre’s “Insights to Industry” events to provide guidance to students and recent graduates. His work has been recognised through awards including the Study NT Employer of the Year (2022), the McDonald’s NT Career Achievement Award, and multiple nominations for the NT Young Achiever Awards and City of Darwin honours.
Through his professional and community initiatives, Ali has created pathways for education, employment, and social inclusion, supporting both migrants and First Nations communities while contributing to workforce development and community engagement in the Northern Territory.