Who we are

Rebecca (Bec) is a proud Birpai woman with over two decades of experience leading transformational change and complex systems reform across government, industry, higher education, and First Nations communities. As a senior executive leader and strategic adviser, Bec is nationally recognised for leadership in cultural heritage governance, environmental protection, and the clean energy transition. She specialises in designing strategy, policy, and partnership frameworks that embed First Nations knowledge systems into Australia’s environment, energy, and infrastructure sectors. Bec is the co-founder and Principal of GIRA Advisory, a First Nations-led strategic advisory firm partnering with government, industry, and community to deliver commercially and culturally grounded solutions in governance, ESG advisory, agreement-making, and environmental reform — enabling shared decision-making, protecting Country, and creating sustainable futures. 

Tyronne is a Bardi man, born in Broome, Western Australia. He has spent the majority of his working life within the Indigenous sector in areas of training and employment solutions, social and economic development, native title, Indigenous leadership and capability building. Tyronne is a strong advocate for Indigenous rights and advancement, regularly speaking out on issues of importance to the first nations of Aboriginal people across the Kimberley and WA. He is also committed to fostering genuine relationships and partnerships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples through mutual understanding, knowledge sharing and respect. Tyronne worked for several years as the CEO of Kullarri Regional Community Development Employment Project before taking on the role of Community Engagement Officer for Pluton Resources, Deputy CEO of Kimberley Land Council and General Manager of Regions for Jawun. As CEO of Kimberley Land Council, Tyronne is keen to provide leadership, brokering new opportunities and relationships that deliver sustainable outcomes for the next generation of Aboriginal people in the region and beyond.

Leslie Schultz is a Ngadju traditional custodian, native title holder, and Founder and Chair of Ngadju Conservation Aboriginal Corporation. He was instrumental in setting up the Dundas Rural Bush Fire Brigade, one of the only Indigenous Rural Bush Fire Brigades in Australia. He leads the Ngadju ranger program and Indigenous Protected Area, and is also developing fire policy for southern Australia. Mr Schultz has co-authored several publications on Ngajdu Kala, including Ngadju Kala: Ngadju fire knowledge and contemporary fire management in the Great Western Woodlands, and a Ngajumaya field guide currently in development with the Goldfields Aboriginal Language Centre.

Robynne Quiggin is a descendant of the Wiradjuri nation of central western New South Wales. She has lived and worked in Sydney, practicing as a solicitor and consultant for 15 years with a focus on legal, compliance and policy areas of relevance to Indigenous Australians including human rights, financial inclusion, financial services, consumer issues, governance, the arts and heritage. Prior to her appointment at UTS, Robynne was Deputy Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner at the Australian Human Rights Commission. She has a long standing commitment to a rights based framework as a mechanism for individuals and communities to pursue their social, economic, cultural, linguistic and artistic priorities. She has participated in a number of international human rights and biodiversity forums and published on the role of rights in relation to the economic, cultural, artistic and scientific work of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.

Heidi Norman is a descendant of the Gomeroi peoples of north western New South Wales. She is a leading Australian professor and researcher in the field of Aboriginal political history. Her research sits in the field of history and draws on the cognate disciplines anthropology, political-economy, cultural studies and political theory. She has made significant contributions to understandings Aboriginal social, cultural, economic and political history where she addresses questions of power in relation to Aboriginal citizens, the state and settler society and Aboriginal land justice. At the heart of her research, is her support for Aboriginal peoples’ rightful place in the nation, especially within political institutions, in society and the economy as landholders. Heidi is currently Research Professor with the University of NSW.

Brian is a descendant of the Meriam people and is passionate about Indigenous self-empowerment and socially responsible economic development for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.  Brian is a Co-founder, Principal and Director of Jaramer Legal, the first national Indigenous law firm established in Australia. He is a senior commercial lawyer who has advised State and Federal Governments and large corporations.

Paul descends from the Gunnai and Monaro people. CEO of the Federation of Victorian Traditional Owner Corporations, he brings his knowledge, skills and networks to work closely with Traditional Owners across the State to support their aspirations for community and Country whilst taking up the challenge for self-determination and Treaty.

Chris is a Luritja man from Central Australia. He is an experienced senior executive and strategy advisor with expertise in Indigenous economic development, asset management, corporate strategy and infrastructure construction over a 25-year period. Chris was formerly the Managing Director of Impact IP, and has held positions with leading companies including state-owned electricity utility – Horizon Power, international strategy consulting firm – Boston Consulting Group and  Australian mining and civil engineering contractor – Henry Walker Eltin. Chris holds an MBA from Melbourne Business School and a Bachelor of Engineering (Mining) from the University of Queensland. Chris also the chair of CASSE Australia and board member of Australians Community Foundation and Desert Knowl­edge Aus­tralia.

Ruby is a descendant of the Jaru people of the Eastern Kimberley region of WA. An electrical engineer, she runs Alinga Energy Consulting, providing renewable energy and microgrid consulting services including research, feasibility studies, design and implementation, with a focus on remote and off-grid applications.

Thomas is a Zenadth Kes man from the Torres Strait. He is a National Indigenous Officer and Honorary Deputy NT Branch Secretary at the MUA, President of the NT Trades & Labour Council and elected participant in the Uluru Convention.

Kado is a Cultural and community leader and a land rights, cultural heritage, and environmental campaigner. He is also a Ngalia language speaker, researcher and educator, having helped develop Australian curriculum content incorporating Aboriginal knowledge with relevance and understanding for First nations students. He currently consults on First Nation perspectives in Environmental Social Governance (ESG) and Investment impact in Corporate Responsibility and Social Licenses. Kado is Chair of the National Native Title Council and co-Chair of the First Nations Heritage Protection Alliance, leading joint campaigns with the responsible investment sector to ensure protection of Aboriginal cultural heritage.

Karrina is a descendant of the Yorta Yorta people, an experienced manager and organiser of complex programs in Aboriginal communities. She has worked as a facilitator, trainer, researcher and strategist alongside First Nations communities for over 25 years. Most recently, Karrina has been building the capacity for self-determination in the context of economic development, climate change and clean energy. She dedicated an Atlantic Fellowship to determining how to best build clean energy projects by and for First Nations people. As a Churchill Fellow, Karrina worked with First Nations women in Canada, the USA and Australia collating lessons to grow women's leadership capacity and engagement in community and civic life.

Glen is a Kokotha/ Arabana man based in South Australia. He previously worked as the Aboriginal Heritage Manager for the Kokotha Aboriginal Corporation and was a board member of the SA Heritage Committee for the Department of the Premier and Cabinet SA. In his 20 years previous experience in the mining industry, Glen shared his knowledge and provided leadership to companies such as BHP, OZ Minerals and FMG in the preservation and protection of Aboriginal Heritage. Glen received the 'Man Of The Year Award 2020' during NAIDOC week due to his continuing contributions to the community, working with troubled and disadvantaged people and guiding them towards a better lifestyle. 

Tegan is a descendant of the Wiradjuri nation living in Narrm (Melbourne). She began her career in communications and over the last 5 years has focused on transforming the energy sector to address First Peoples energy inequity. In 2024, Tegan undertook her masters with the Atlantic Fellowship of Social Equity at the University of Melbourne with her project based on energy sovereignty. Tegan was a part of the 2023 Powermakers program with the First Nations Clean Energy Network and now joins us in a part-time capacity.

Shilo, based in Cairns, Queensland, is a strategic engagement and relationship manager. Before joining the First Nations Clean Energy Network, Shilo worked in the areas of Indigenous Affairs, Native Title and carbon projects variously with the Australian Human Rights Commission, Reconciliation Australia, the Aboriginal Carbon Foundation and Cape York Land Council. Shilo is skilled in negotiation, community engagement, mediation and project management.

Nicole is a proud Gamilaroi woman from Moree NSW, dedicated to strengthening community-led processes and advancing First Nations priorities. A strategic thinker with a people-first approach, Nicole thrives on developing creative, collaborative solutions that align with community priorities. She is deeply committed to decolonising spaces and embracing cultural resurgence by elevating cultural knowledge and practices to advance First Nations-led solutions. An experienced facilitator, Nicole builds and nurtures genuine partnerships and processes that give autonomy to First Nations thinking, ensuring First Nations perspectives drive decision-making.  Nicole is an Atlantic Fellow for Social Equity and holds a Master of Social Change Leadership.

Kaneya is a proud Wiradjuri, Yaegl and Kamilaroi man. He previously worked for many years with the Department of Defence as a Contracting/Policy Officer in the field of aerospace acquisitions. Kaneya was inspired by his participation in the First Nations Clean Energy Network's PowerMakers 2023 capacity building program to bring his experience and knowledge to the Network as their Engagement and Policy Lead to further empower First Nations individuals and businesses to not only take part in the clean energy transition, but to lead all aspects of it.

Cat is a passionate, outcome driven, creative project manager with over 20 years’ experience in not-for-profit organisations. She has experience working with First Nations communities producing events, programs, media, strategies, campaigns, and communications. Prior to coming to the Network, Cat spent five years as a Project Officer at Umeewarra Aboriginal Media in Port Augusta, South Australia. Cat loves travelling in regional areas, building meaningful relationships and making projects happen. Cat is based in Port Adelaide on Kaurna Country.

Kate is a communications professional with over 25 years experience. Kate has negotiated media, engagement and campaign outcomes for government, private industry and not for profits in Australia and globally. She is skilled in consulting with stakeholders, building strategy and reaching key audiences with compelling narratives and calls to action that generate change. Kate is the Communications Director for the First Nations Clean Energy Network.

Georgia was born and raised in Aotearoa and is a descendant from the Te Rarawa Iwi from Panguru in the northern Hokianga harbour. She has over 10 years experience delivering events in London, Toronto, Auckland and Melbourne for a range of sectors including Not For Profit, Government, Agency and Education. She has executed numerous First Nations-led conferences including in Melbourne and Toronto, philanthropy events for the University of Auckland, and community engagement and consultation projects for Auckland Transport. She has a passion for cuisine and opened Auckland's first Māori kai cafe with her mother in 2019.

Wynona is a descendant of the Arrernte People of Central Australia. With a strong background business development, marketing, communications and strategy development, Wynona is passionate about engaging, motivating and guiding stakeholders to achieve equitable outcomes through developing accessible approaches that promote shared benefits and associated changes and impacts. Wynona contributed her breadth of skills and unique understanding of First Nations issues to assist in the initial development of the First Nations Clean Energy Network, and now assists in its implementation.

Jonathan is an experienced leader, lawyer, advocate and strategist who has worked for over 20 years across the private, public and community sectors, and alongside First Nations people and communities across Australia. He has led an array of significant commercial negotiations, major projects, and test cases on behalf of Traditional Owners, and has worked on numerous community and economic development initiatives and economic inclusion policies and projects. Jonathan is a Global Fellow with the Atlantic Fellows for Social Equity and holds an Arts and Honours degree in Law from the University of Melbourne and a Masters of Laws from the University of Dundee.