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Our people

Reconciliation Australia is guided by our board of directors, which is headed by two co-chairs, one Indigenous and one non-Indigenous. Day-to-day operations are overseen by our Senior Executive Team.

Board of Directors

Kirstie Parker

Co-Chair

A Yuwaalaraay woman from northwest NSW, Ms Parker is an independent First Nations consultant, Head of First Nations at South Australian Film Corporation and owner of Kirstie Parker Consulting.

Michael Rose

Co-Chair

Michael is an independent director who serves on the boards of a number of organisations involved in urban infrastructure, urban policy and place making.

Sharon Davis

Board Member

Sharon Davis (pronouns: they/them) is from both Bardi and Kija Peoples of the Kimberley, and is a respected education practitioner and researcher.

Belinda Duarte

Board Member

Belinda Duarte is Wotjobaluk and Dja Dja Wurrung descendant with Polish and Celtic heritage. Belinda is CEO of Culture is Life, an organisation which is dedicated to Aboriginal-led solutions for the prevention of First Peoples youth suicide.

Doug Ferguson

Board Member

Mr Doug Ferguson is a Partner with KPMG and has held leadership roles in Australia and Asia since 1997. He is currently the NSW Chairman and Head of Asia and International Markets, based in Sydney.

Rana Hussain

Board Member

Rana Hussain is a dynamic force in the realm of inclusion and belonging, serving as a trailblazing leader, consultant, and advisor on leadership and organisational culture.

Stacee Ketchell

Board Member

Bill Lawson AM

Board Member

Mr Bill Lawson AM is a retired Engineer and former Principal of Sinclair Knight Merz. He has worked across Australia in both Local Government and Indigenous sectors.

Joy Thomas

Board Member

Ms Joy Thomas has worked as an adviser to Federal Government Ministers, has held senior management positions across the primary health care sector and currently works with and advises rural and regional industries and the energy sector.

Senior Executive Team

Karen Mundine

CEO

Ms Karen Mundine is from the Bundjalung Nation of northern NSW. She brings to the role more than 25 years’ experience leading community engagement, public advocacy, communications and social marketing campaigns.

Kate Clark

General Manager – Community Impact

Kate Delaney

General Manager – Reconciliation Action Plan Program

Tessa Keenan

General Manager – Narragunnawali: Reconciliation in Education

Tessa joined Reconciliation Australia in 2015 as part of a team of early learning, primary and secondary to design and develop Narragunnawali: Reconciliation in Schools and Early Learning.

Peter Morris

A/g Chief Operating Officer

Peter has dedicated his career to building a more inclusive society that values and benefits from the resilience and ingenuity of First Peoples. His experience includes international leadership roles.

Liz Willis

General Manager – Communications and Engagement

Liz Willis brings decades of experience in a wide range of workplaces and positions to Reconciliation Australia.

Acknowledgement

Reconciliation Australia acknowledges Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past and present. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples should be aware that this website may contain images or names of people who have since passed away.

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PO Box 224
Surry Hills NSW 2010
Ph: 02 6153 4400

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Kirstie Parker

Co-Chair

Kristie Parker is a Yuwaalaraay woman from northwest NSW and has been a director of Reconciliation Australia since 2010., and co-Chair since 2024.

Her leadership in community, not-for-profit and government settings spans First Nations rights, representation and advocacy, policy development, journalism and communications, and the arts.

Head of First Nations at the South Australian Film Corporation, Kirstie was previously Strategic Adviser to the Uluru Dialogue, Director – Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation within SA Government, CEO of the National Centre of Indigenous Excellence, elected Co-Chair of the National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples, and editor of the Koori Mail newspaper.

Michael Rose

Co-Chair

Michael is an independent director who serves on the boards of a number of organisations involved in urban infrastructure, urban policy and place making. He is the Chair of the Committee for Sydney, an urban policy think tank that advocates for the Greater Sydney region. He is also Chair of Greater Sydney Parklands, Sydney’s metropolitan parks agency, and Chair of Northwest Rapid Transit, the private partner in Sydney’s Metro system.

Michael also sits on the boards of Silicon Quantum Computing Pty Ltd and the Westmead Institute for Medical Research. He has served on the Boards of a number of other Government, arts and not-for-profit organisations, including 8 years as Global Chairman of ChildFund Alliance, an international development NGO with programs in more than 65 countries.

Michael has a senior advisory role at UNSW and is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Over the last 20 years Michael has been actively engaged in policy issues involving Indigenous communities and Indigenous rights, employment, education and reconciliation. In 2016 he served as a member of the Referendum Council on Constitutional Recognition.

Sharon Davis

Board Member

Sharon Davis (pronouns they/them) is from both Bardi and Kija Peoples of the Kimberley.

Sharon is the the inaugural Chief Executive Officer of The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Corporation (NATSIEC) and was previously the Director of Education at the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies.

They have a deep professional and personal commitment to social justice, equity, inclusion, and respect for all.

Sharon holds a Bachelor in Education (K-7) specialising in Aboriginal education, graduating with a number of honours, including the Vice Chancellor’s Medal for the University of Notre Dame’s School of Education. In addition, Sharon graduated from the University of Oxford with a Master of Science in Applied Linguistics and Second Language Acquisition.

Sharon believes that enhancing educational experience for Aboriginal students, families and communities’ benefits all.

Belinda Duarte

Belinda Duarte is Wotjobaluk and Dja Dja Wurrung descendant with Polish and Celtic heritage.  As an accomplished leader in elite sport, social equity and First Nations communities, Belinda is CEO of Culture is Life, an organisation which is dedicated to Aboriginal-led solutions for the prevention of First Peoples youth suicide.

She has been appointed to the Victoria 2026 Commonwealth Games Organising Committee, is a director of the Western Bulldogs, MCG trustee, board member of the AnnaMilla First Nations Foundation and Djaara Aboriginal Corporation.

Belinda has a vision of equality across all aspects of living for Aboriginal people. As a former elite athlete, Belinda is working on innovative projects to influence the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and to improve relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. In 2020 she was recognised for her work and awarded a CEW Vincent Fairfax fellowship. Additional awards include Football Woman of the year 2012 &  Emerging leader under the Fellowship for Indigenous Leadership in 2006-2007.

Doug Ferguson

Board Member

Doug Ferguson is a Partner with KPMG and has held various leadership roles in Australia and throughout Asia since 1997. He is currently the NSW Chairman and Head of Asia and International Markets, based in Sydney.

He holds graduate degrees in business and leadership, is a Fellow of Chartered Accountants ANZ and is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Sydney Faculty of Business.

Mr Ferguson is a Board member of The Committee for Sydney, the Shore School and is Co-Chair of the American Chamber of Commerce in NSW. He is also a member of the Business Council of Australia’s International Leadership Group, Trustee of CEDA, Chairman Emeritus of Asia Society Australia and a Business Champion of the New Colombo Plan.

Doug was raised in Mackay, North Queensland and enjoys spending time at the family farm in Bathurst, Central West NSW.

Rana Hussain

Board Member

Rana Hussain is a dynamic force in the realm of inclusion and belonging, serving as a trailblazing leader, consultant, and advisor on leadership and organisational culture. As the founder of Good. Human, she champions initiatives that foster a sense of community and belonging.

With a background in social work and extensive experience in sports administration across multiple elite sports organisations, Rana brings a unique perspective to her work. Her passion for social justice and equity drives her commitment to creating inclusive environments where all individuals feel valued and respected.

Rana is a sought-after consultant and advisor, providing invaluable insights into leadership development and organisational culture. Her expertise in navigating complex issues and facilitating meaningful change has earned her recognition as a thought leader in the field.

As a board member of the Victorian Women’s Trust, Rana contributes her expertise to initiatives that promote gender equality, particularly marginalised women. Her dedication to advancing social causes extends to her work as a media commentator, broadcaster, and presenter, where she uses her platform to amplify marginalised voices and spark meaningful conversations. Rana is a regular presenter on the ABC and across various sports broadcasts.

Rana’s trailblazing efforts in sports administration and media have made her a respected figure in both industries. Her ability to break barriers and challenge the status quo has paved the way for greater diversity and inclusion in traditionally male-dominated fields.

Stacee Ketchell

Ms Stacee Ketchell is a proud Wakaid and Meuram woman from the Maluligal and Kemer Kemer Meriam Nations of Zenadth Kes (Torres Strait) and the co-founder and Chair of Deadly Inspiring Youth Doing Good (DIYDG) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation, a youth-led movement working to amplify the voices of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their communities.

Stacee is a passionate champion for young people, specifically contributing to initiatives that enable young people to navigate and excel in “two worlds,” honouring their Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage while thriving within the Western system.

She developed her leadership and advocacy for social change throughout her work in Far North Queensland remote communities, and brings extensive knowledge of cultural practices, cultural governance and grassroot advocacy.

Stacee served as a campaign coordinator for the 2023 Australian Indigenous Voice Referendum and recently joined Cape York Partnerships as Manager for Cape Operations. She is also a 2024-2025 Obama Foundation Asia-Pacific Leader.

Bill Lawson

Board Member

Mr Lawson AM is a recently retired Engineer. He was the Principal of Sinclair Knight Merz where he was the Manager of the Indigenous Sector and Group Manager of the Company’s global Corporate Social Responsibility Program.

Mr Lawson was awarded the 2003 Australian Professional Engineer of the year, and has worked on major projects in Tasmania and the Antarctic. He has worked across Australia in both Local Government and Indigenous sectors. From 2011 to 2012 Mr Lawson was the Tasmanian representative on the Prime Minister’s Expert Panel for the Recognition of Indigenous Australians.

In 2006 he was also awarded an Order of Australia for his development of the national youth assistance initiative, the Beacon Foundation.

Joy Thomas

Board Member

Ms Joy Thomas has worked as an adviser to Federal Government Ministers, has held senior positions across the primary health care sector and currently works with, and advises, rural and regional industries and the energy sector.

Joy has served on the Board since 2012.

Karen Mundine

CEO

Karen Mundine is from the Bundjalung Nation of northern NSW. As the CEO at Reconciliation Australia, Ms Mundine brings to the role more than 25 years’ experience leading community engagement, public advocacy, communications and social marketing campaigns. An architect of the landmark Australian Reconciliation Barometer, Ms Mundine works with governments, the business sector and civil society to advocate for change.

Over the course of her career, she has been instrumental in some of Australia’s watershed national events including the Apology to the Stolen Generations, Centenary of Federation commemorations, Corroboree 2000 and the 1997 and 2021 Australian Reconciliation Conventions.

Ms Mundine holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) and was the winner of the 2021 Indigenous Australian UTS Alumni Award. In 2023 she was declared the National Winner of the Australian Awards for Excellence in Women’s Leadership.

She is a member of the Council of the National Museum of Australia, a Company Director of Sydney Festival and Australians for Constitutional Recognition, and is a Member of Chief Executive Women.

Previous roles include: membership of the Australian Government’s Referendum Engagement Group; Director, Mary Mackillop Foundation; Director, Australian Indigenous Leadership Centre; Director, Gondwana Choirs; Deputy Chief Executive and General Manager Communication and Engagement, Reconciliation Australia; Senior Consultant, CPR Communications; and senior public affairs and communications roles with federal government departments including Prime Minister and Cabinet, Communications IT & the Arts, Health and Ageing, and Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Kate Clark

General Manager Community Impact

Kate joined Reconciliation Australia as General Manager, Community Impact in late 2024 to work with the Community Truth-Telling Pathways team. Passionate about social justice and inclusion, Kate is committed to strengths-based approaches which deliver positive outcomes for communities. She brings more than two decades of experience in higher education, government, arts and culture, and Indigenous health – including communications, partnership, and policy leadership roles at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) and Creative Australia. Prior to joining Reconciliation Australia Kate spent five years in Central Australia leading external engagement and launching a social enterprise hub for award-winning Indigenous health service, Purple House.

Kate is currently on the board of Gondwana Choirs and previously held board and committee roles with UN Women Australia, International Association of Business Communicators, WEFTshop social enterprise and Incite Arts. She holds a Bachelor of Music/Arts from the University of Western Ontario (Canada) and a Master of Development Studies from UNSW.

Kate Delaney

General Manager – Reconciliation Action Plan Program

Kate joined Reconciliation Australia in 2017 as part of the Reconciliation Action Plan team. Kate was appointed as General Manager of the RAP Program in 2024. In this role Kate is responsible for the operational leadership and strategic direction of the program and leads a diverse team of passionate individuals. The program continues to grow and now supports more than 3,300 organisations through the RAP network. The RAP framework supports these organisations by providing a structured approach to advance reconciliation, allowing them to turn good intentions into action by building relationships, respect and opportunities to create tangible and substantive benefits.

Kate’s work at Reconciliation Australia builds on a number of years of experience working in different roles within the not-for-profit sector, including in the United Kingdom.

Kate currently lives on Gadigal Country and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Politics and International Relations from Macquarie University.

Tessa Keenan

General Manager - Narragunnawali: Reconciliation in Education

Tessa joined Reconciliation Australia in 2015 as part of a team of early learning, primary and secondary teachers brought on board to design and develop Narragunnawali: Reconciliation in Schools and Early Learning.

A qualified secondary teacher, Tessa has over a decade of experience in higher education, teaching and research. Tessa sees the role of teachers and educators as vital to the process of reconciliation in Australia.

As General Manager of Narragunnawali, she leads a team that is passionate about supporting educators to develop teaching and learning environments that promote reconciliation and that are inclusive of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures and perspectives.

Tessa holds a Bachelor of Arts (with distinction) in Sociology and Gender Studies, a Master of Indigenous Studies from the University of New South Wales, and Graduate Diploma of Education (Secondary Teaching) from the University of Canberra.

Tessa was born and raised on Ngunnawal and Ngambri Country. She currently lives on Gadigal Country.

Peter Morris

A/g Chief Operating Officer

Peter is a passionate non-profit leader with over 20 years of international experience in partnership development, communications, and public policy analysis. He has dedicated his career to building a more inclusive society that values and benefits from the resilience and ingenuity of First Peoples.

Peter has been at Reconciliation Australia since 2019. He was appointed acting Chief Operating Officer in mid-2024, and was previously the General Manager of the Reconciliation Action Plan Program.

Prior to his role at Reconciliation Australia, Peter served for eight years in various executive leadership roles at the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), the representative body of tribes and Native peoples in the United States. During his time at NCAI, he led engagement with the Obama White House to implement the annual Tribal Nations Summits, strengthened partnerships with corporate and civil rights organisations, directed a tribally-driven think tank, and oversaw strategic communications and national campaigns.

Peter serves on the advisory committees of Welcoming Cities and Federation University’s Centre for Reconciliation, Truth and Justice. He has served in various staff and board roles in higher education, youth and children’s policy, and community development. He holds a Bachelors in Aboriginal Studies from the University of New South Wales and a Masters in American Indian Policy from the University of Arizona.

Liz Willis

General Manager Communications and Engagement

Liz has worked in a number organisations focussed on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander rights, culture and achievement including, National Centre of Indigenous Excellence, National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples, and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission.

She also has experience working in government, corporate, and community organisations in related areas.

Liz has been with Reconciliation Australia since March 2020.

Paul Girrawah House

Paul Girrawah House has multiple First Nation ancestries from the South-East Canberra region, including the Ngambri-Ngurmal (Walgalu), Pajong (Gundungurra), Wallabollooa (Ngunnawal) and Erambie/Brungle (Wiradyuri) family groups.

Paul acknowledges his diverse First Nation history, he particularly identifies as a descendant of Onyong aka Jindoomang from Weereewaa (Lake George) and Henry ‘Black Harry’ Williams from Namadgi who were both multilingual, essentially Walgalu-Ngunnawal-Wiradjuri speaking warriors and Ngunnawal–Wallaballooa man William Lane aka ‘Billy the Bull’ - Murrjinille.

Paul was born at the old Canberra hospital in the centre of his ancestral country and strongly acknowledges his First Nation matriarch ancestors, in particular his mother Dr Aunty Matilda House-Williams and grandmother, Ms Pearl Simpson-Wedge.

Paul completed a Bachelor of Community Management from Macquarie University, and Graduate Certificate in Wiradjuri Language, Culture and Heritage and Management from CSU.

Paul provided the Welcome to Country for the 47th Opening of Federal Parliament in 2022. Paul is Board Director, Ngambri Local Aboriginal Land Council, Member Indigenous Reference Group, National Museum of Australia and Australian Government Voice Referendum Engagement Group.  

Paul works on country with the ANU, First Nations Portfolio as a Senior Community Engagement Officer

Acknowledgement of Country

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples should be aware that this website contains images or names of people who have passed away.