Cate Bennet, Assistant Commissioner, Australian Charities & Not for Profit Commission (ACNC)

Cate is the Assistant Commissioner responsible for Regulatory Services, and the General Counsel at the Australian Charities & Not for Profit Commission (ACNC). Cate has considerable experience across the public and NFP sectors where she has led legal teams, served as company secretary, and worked with charity boards across a large number of international jurisdictions. As Assistant Commissioner, Cate oversees the ACNC’s regulatory functions that help charities gain and maintain charity registration, and contributes to whole of government efforts to address risks that pose a threat to trust and confidence in the charity sector.

Gavin Brown, CEO, co-Founder and co-owner, Yamagigu Consulting Pty Ltd

Gavin is a Wiradjuri man, born in Wellington, New South Wales and is the CEO, co-Founder and co-owner of Yamagigu Consulting Pty Ltd a business which is majority owned, led and staffed by Indigenous Australians. Gavin has become a trusted adviser to the public and private sector, and Indigenous groups throughout Australia. He was the only private sector member of the Referendum Engagement Group with the Federal Government, a member of Business Council of Australia’s Indigenous Leadership Group. He has led the development of the design capability within Yamagigu, a team that is multi-award winning – including two Good Design Awards. He is also a Founding Director of Wambal Bila Limited – a new company established for the Wellington Aboriginal Community of NSW, to take a 5% equity stake in the $450m new renewables battery being developed in Wellington; a deal which is believed to be an Australian-first.

Jessica Bulger, Senior Fellow, ANU College of Business and Economics

Jess is Wiradjuri from Tumut and Brungle in country NSW. Jess’ work has centered around leadership development, nurturing emerging talent and advancing Indigenous governance, grounded in a deep commitment to community-driven change, economic justice and systemic reform.

Jess is currently Senior Fellow in the Practice of Management at the Australian National University College of Business and Economics. In this role she contributes to coursework in Australian Indigenous Perspectives in Business and Economics, and the Graduate Certificate of Management for First Nations leaders in the Australian Public Service.

Prior to ANU Jess’ experience has been predominantly in the not-for-profit sector, most recently as Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Indigenous Governance Institute (AIGI). Previous to AIGI Jess contributed to the growth and development of successful social enterprise, CareerTrackers, a leadership and career development program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander university students.

Jess also serves as Co-Chair of Outward Bound Australia, and holds various other advisory roles related to important initiatives and projects including with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), Philanthropy Australia, GHD, and Optus.

Jess began her career as a High School teacher and has taught at several NSW High Schools as well as at the University of New South Wales and Sydney University earlier in her career.

Jahna Cedar OAM, Jahna Cedar Consulting Pty Ltd

Jahna Cedar OAM is a proud Nyiyaparli woman from the Pilbara region of Western Australia, with ancestral ties to the Bardi Gija people of the Kimberleys. A highly respected Indigenous leader, Jahna has spent over 28 years advocating for equal rights, reconciliation, and economic empowerment for First Nations communities. She has represented Indigenous Australia on the global stage, addressing the United Nations in New York four times.

With expertise in governance, leadership, business and human resources management, Jahna has held executive and board roles across multiple industries, including health, education, research, investment, and Indigenous enterprise. She has successfully driven strategic growth, policy reform, and Indigenous-led innovation, fostering meaningful pathways for First Nations people, businesses, and communities.

Jahna is a TEDx speaker, a founding Blak Angel Investor, and an advocate for Indigenous entrepreneurship and economic self-determination. Her leadership has been recognised through numerous accolades, including induction into the WA Women’s Hall of Fame, the Telstra Businesswomen’s Award, the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM), and the Australian Awards for Excellence in Women’s Leadership.

Committed to breaking down barriers and creating sustainable opportunities, Jahna continues to challenge stereotypes, elevate Indigenous voices, and inspire future generations to lead with courage and authenticity.

Dr Michelle Deshong, Managing Director, Deshong Consulting Pty Ltd

Dr Michelle Deshong draws her connection to Kuku Yalanji and Butchulla nation and currently lives in Townsville, North Queensland. She has committed most of her professional life to the importance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples asserting their right to self-determination through culture reclamation, leadership, governance and political engagement.

Michelle is recognised globally for her efforts in political advocacy, having worked across Indigenous affairs for over 30 years. She is among a generation of Indigenous Leaders pushing the boundaries of change, to overcome the challenges that have long beset Indigenous communities and organisations. A large body of her work has been in executive roles within the Federal government, NGO, and community sectors. Michelle has also held several governance roles including Chairperson of Supply Nation, previous Deputy Chairperson of AIATSIS, Chair of the Queensland Treaty Institute and a member of the DFAT Indigenous Advisory committee.

Michelle has been a business owner for over 20 years and is passionate about supporting the growth of the Indigenous Business sector nationally and internationally. The business enables her to present and engage extensively on areas of expertise and support Indigenous peoples and communities across the country.

Michelle is also an accomplished academic, completing her PhD on the participation of Indigenous women in public and political life. She was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship in 2015/2016 to work with Native communities across US, Canada and New Zealand to explore models of cultural governance and nation building. She was also awarded a Churchill Fellowship and received the National NAIDOC Indigenous Scholar of the year in 2015.

Anne-Maree Long, Senior Education Adviser & Co-Founder of Sandpoppy Weaving

Ann-Maree Long is a proud Badjala, Woppaburra and Torres Strait Islander yeeran (woman) with a passion for social and LGBTQIA+ rights. As a Head of Community Engagement at EPIC Pathways, she is committed to further mobilising Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander high school young students to see their full potential. With experience leading impactful programs such as CareerTrackers High School Program and the Young Indigenous Women’s STEM Academy in consortium with CSIRO, as well as her with with Land on Heart she brings a deep commitment to education and advocacy. A QUT Creative Industries graduate and Co-Founder of Sandpoppy Weaving, she serves on First Nations Advisory Groups including Committee for Brisbane and Pyjama Foundation. As first in her family to graduate high school, Ann-Maree is dedicated to creating opportunities and amplifying voices in the community.

Malachi Murljacic, Indigenous Policy & Programs, Community Engagement & Kunja Language Revival

Malachi Murljacic is a Kunja professional with experience across Indigenous affairs, international development and business. For the past seven years, he has supported the revival of Kunja language, including publishing the first 50 spoken words in Kunja with his cousin Jarrah Maddison through the 50 Words Project. Outside work, he enjoys travel, culture, nature and endurance sports, and has completed a full-distance Ironman and an ultramarathon after losing 60kgs.

Charlies Prouse, Managing Director, NyikBar Consulting

Charles is a Nyikina man from the Kimberley, Western Australia, and has lived in Perth, Melbourne and Sydney. Charles has over 20 years’ experience in Indigenous affairs across Australia. He is the Managing Director of NyikBar Consulting – providing First Nations strategic supply chain advice to corporate Australia alongside advice to Apple Maps and Apple Australia and undertaking Place Naming work with Landgate WA and five PBCs across the Western Kimberley.

Charles is proud of his early work at the Kimberley Land Council and Native Title Services Victoria to promote Caring for Country programs and was involved in the early establishment of the national Indigenous Ranger network. He started his career at the Western Australia Department of Aboriginal Affairs, mapping cultural heritage sites across the state.

Charles was the Global Supplier Diversity Manager at Lendlease, leading their First Nations supplier procurement program and the development of a global supplier diversity process and reporting framework. Prior to that, Charles was CEO of Supply Nation, implementing its corporate membership fee business model and worked with the Australian Government to introduce its inaugural Indigenous Procurement Policy (IPP).

His other roles have included CEO of the National Aboriginal Sporting Chance Academy (NASCA) Charles is a board member of Achieve Australia. He has previously served as Chair of Aurora Education Foundation and was a non-Executive Director The Benevolent Society.

Brooke Scott, Executive Manager of First Nations Strategy at Commonwealth Bank

Brooke Scott is the Executive Manager of First Nations Strategy at Commonwealth Bank. A proud Gunghanji and Kuku-Yalanji woman, she brings extensive experience leading reconciliation programs and First Nations engagement at organisations including Insurance Australia Group and Qantas.

Brooke is a strong advocate for the rights of Indigenous Peoples and the principle of self-determination. She is passionate about ensuring First Nations peoples have agency, voice and decision-making authority on matters that affect them. Her work focuses on embedding Indigenous governance, strengthening accountability, and creating structures that enable genuine partnership—shifting engagement from consultation to shared decision-making, long-term empowerment, and equitable participation in economic opportunities.

Tricia Stroud, Registrar, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporations

Tricia Stroud is the Registrar of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporations, an independent Statutory Office Holder appointed under the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006 (CATSI Act). Supported by the Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations (ORIC), the role regulates and supports some 3400 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations nationally, a third of whom are also registered charities.

Tricia was appointed the Registrar in 2022 and has led a significant reform agenda reshaping ORIC’s regulatory approach, public performance reporting and services, systems and tools to support corporations.

Tricia has operated at the senior executive level in the Australian Government’s Indigenous portfolio for over 15 year, leading strategic, policy and performance reforms. Prior to being appointed as the Registrar, Tricia served as the Chief Operating Officer at the Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation. Tricia has a strong professional record of supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations achieve strong governance and self-determination for the social, cultural and economic benefit of Indigenous Australians.

Dr Karaitiana Taiuru, Director of Taiuru & Associates

Dr Karaitiana Taiuru is a Māori AI, data, and emerging-technology ethicist who helps organisations understand how modern digital systems affect identity, rights, and equity outcomes. Drawing on tikanga Māori and mātauranga Māori, he delivers practical guidance for boards, agencies, and industry leaders on AI governance, Māori Data Sovereignty, IP, and preventing bias and discrimination across the AI lifecycle.

Dr Syke Trudgett, CEO, Kowa

Dr. Skye Trudgett, a Gamilaroi woman, leads Kowa Collaboration with a passion for empowering First Nations communities through evaluation and research. Her PhD in evaluation and Indigenous Data Sovereignty, alongside her 15 years of experience leading research, evaluation and innovation projects, make her a recognised expert in the field of First Nations UMEL practice. Skye’s vision ensures Kowa’s work is grounded in culturally safe practices and ethical data governance.