Speakers: First Nations Clean Energy Symposium

Cissy Gore-Birch is a Jaru/Kija woman with connections to Balanggarra, Nyikina and Bunuba country. She holds a Graduate Diploma in Natural Resource Management and has worked in the Aboriginal land management and community development sectors for the past twenty years. With a strong leadership background in the Kimberley, North Australia & Australia, Ms Gore Birch’s is currently the Director/Owner of Kimberley Cultural Connections Pty Ltd. She is CEO of Balanggarra Aboriginal Corporation (BAC) and Balanggarra Ventures Limited (BVL).

Wahleah Johns is Founder of Four Directions Fund, the world's first global Indigenous clean energy investment fund. She is a Former Director of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs. She was responsible for upholding and advancing the Office of Indian Energy’s Mission to maximize the development and deployment of energy solutions for the benefit of American Indians and Alaska Natives. Johns is a member of the Navajo (Diné) Nation and comes from Northeastern Arizona. Her background is in renewable energy and community organizing, having co-founded native renewables, a nonprofit that builds renewable energy tribal capacity while addressing energy access. Her work with the Black Mesa Water Coalition and Navajo Green Economy Coalition has led to groundbreaking legislative victories for groundwater protection, green jobs, and environmental justice

Anahera Nin is a Co-Founder of the Four Directions Fund, the world's first Global Indigenous Renewable Energy Fund that is focused on directing investment into Indigenous-led clean energy projects on Indigenous land. She specialises in Indigenous partnership and the development of commercial-structures, including a scalable solar investment and equity return model for Indigenous landowners and Indigenous land tenure. Her work centres on programme design for mobilising climate capital, having secured and supported allocation of $10m for Indigenous climate resilience projects across Aotearoa New Zealand. A former Indigenous Climate Policy Lead for the New Zealand government, Anahera brings expertise in multi-stakeholder negotiations across Indigenous landowners, governments, and private sector interests.

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.

Joe Morrison is Dagoman and Mualgal and has over 30 years’ experience working with Indigenous people in northern Australia, nationally and globally. He has extensive experience in public policy, governance, research, Indigenous development, native title, land rights, land and sea management and economic development. He is currently the Group CEO of the Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation, and prior to this, the CEO of the Northern Land Council and the founding CEO of the North Australian Indigenous Land and Sea Management Alliance (NAILSMA).

Michael has more than twenty-five years’ experience providing independent advisory and support services for infrastructure policy, projects and programme development and delivery. His work has focused strongly on remote-area infrastructure and service delivery, with a commitment to creating practical, positive outcomes for the people, communities and business that live in remote and regional areas. His experience includes working with government agencies, regulatory bodies, utilities, regional development agencies, community organisations and end users across Australia, South Asia and the Pacific. As chief executive officer of Ekistica, Michael leads the company’s strategic direction and guides its advisory, project delivery and infrastructure work. his approach is grounded in an understanding that the successful delivery and maintenance of infrastructure and services in remote and regional areas depends on aligning people, finance and governance, and technology and supply chains. Having been with Ekistica since its establishment, Michael remains committed to its ethos of knowledge sharing, collaboration and impact creation.

Mana Newton (Ngāti Tahu – Ngāti Whaoa iwi) is a Māori leader and strategist, currently serving as Group Chief Executive of Tauhara North No.2 Trust—one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest Māori land trusts with significant geothermal and commercial interests. The Trust has championed sustainable energy development, intergenerational wealth creation, and a uniquely indigenous approach to resource management rooted in the principles of kaitiakitanga (guardianship) and mana motuhake (self-determination). With a background as a Deloitte partner and a long-standing advocate for indigenous-led economic models, Mana brings deep experience in governance, tribal development, and navigating the intersection of traditional knowledge and modern industry. He serves across several tribal and commercial boards, supporting kaupapa (principles) that advance Māori equity in high-value sectors, including renewable energy, natural resources, and impact investment.Mana’s work reflects a global indigenous perspective—seeking not just equitable participation, but transformative leadership in major projects that affect whenua (land), wai (water), and future generations. He is passionate about building bridges between Indigenous nations around the world, ensuring that economic partnerships uphold Indigenous rights, cultural integrity, and long-term community prosperity.

Greg is a proud Wadawurrung man and Director for Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation. Greg has a deep commitment for caring for country, strengthening culture and advancing first nations self-determination which he carries through his role as the head of the First Nations values department at Barwon Water. Through his leadership across Traditional Owner governance, environmental management and water stewardship, Greg has worked to embed Wadawurrung knowledge and values into land and water management, renewable energy, and natural resource decision-making across Wadawurrung country.

Michelle Steele is a Kamilaroi Yinarr of the Gomeroi Nation, and is the Chief First Nations Officer at the Paul Ramsay Foundation (PRF). Michelle leads the organisation’s First Nations portfolio, incorporating community perspectives and cultural knowledge into the Foundation’s activities. Before joining PRF, Michelle spent 18 years in the Public Sector. She is an Atlantic Fellow for Social Equity and Serves as Co-Chair of the Global Fellows Advisory Board at the Atlantic Institute, Oxford University. Further, she is a Founding Board Member of the Global Initiative Walking the Talk for Dementia and a Board Member for Hands Across Canberra, a community foundation.

Ellis is the CEO of Atyenhenge-Atherre Aboriginal Corporation and Santa Teresa Enterprises Ltd since 2020. London School Tropical Medicine-Masters Diploma Humanitarian Assistance Medecins Sans Frontieres (1996-2020) Head of Mission, Project Coordinator, in various countries in Africa, South East Asia & Director HR/Finance/MSF Australia. She managed the worlds largest, most successful HIY project in remote & rural Eshowe, South Africa – five year research & implementation project that reached the UN Aids deadlines two years ahead of target & changed HIY policy across the world.

Martin Bin Rashid is a Karajarri elder and Chief Executive Officer of the Karajarri traditional Lands Association (KTLA) based in Broome Western Australia. He joined KTLA in 2019 as Chairman and became CEO in 2021. Martin led the transition of the Ranger and IPA Program from the Kimberley land Council and recently was successful to acquire the Sea Country Indigenous Protected Area funding from DCCEEW. Martin established the Bidyadanga Activation Project - Land Reform in Remote Indigenous Communities. In November 2025, KTLA approved the Gingerah Energy Hub a major renewable energy project with KTLA as an equity owner.

Justin Coburn has an extensive background in community development, particularly working alongside First Nations groups and organisations. For the past ten years, Justin has worked in the renewable energy sector to help ensure that local communities—and particularly First Nations Organisations, businesses and people—benefit from renewable energy projects delivered on their Country. More recently, Justin established Empower CBR, a consultancy that works with renewable energy developers, contractors, communities and First Nations organisations and businesses to design and deliver strategies, partnerships and programs that maximise community benefits from renewable energy development. Justin is currently exploring how renewable energy workforce accommodation demand and investment can simultaneously support project delivery, strengthen Aboriginal self-determination, increase regional housing supply and create lasting shared value for proponents and communities.

Jason is a proud descendant of the Barngarla people and a founding director of the governing board of the Barngarla Determination Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC (BDAC). A passionate advocate of the rights of Traditional Owners, Jason is avid that negotiations include proper allowances for self-governance and empowerment of the community he represents. He is a leader in developing and committing to negotiating for the benefit of all community members. Jason is fiercely protective of Barngarla Country and heritage. One example of this is his leadership in fighting against a nuclear waste dump being placed in the middle of their Country. After several years of legal action, he successfully led the group to triumph in having the waste dump stopped. Jason works within the mining industry and has a broad knowledge and set of skills which he uses in the boardroom and to negotiate with proponents. He is well versed in green energy and has been educated on many alternative forms of energy such as wind, hydrogen, solar, steel and desalination plants. Jason and the BDAC board have won two premier energy awards, one for the EPS Solar Farm and one for the EPTL Monitoring Program.

Belinda is a proud Ngarluma woman, born and raised on Ngarluma Ngurra, where I continue to live on Country today. A passionate advocate for my Heritage, culture and people, I have twice served as Acting CEO of the Ngarluma Aboriginal Corporation (NAC). She currently holds directorships with both the Ngarluma Green Energy Company (NGEC) and the Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation (MAC), she is currently serving the Murujuga and DBCA Park council as Chairperson. She is also the founder of the Ngarluma Green Energy Company a newly established Company 100% subsidiary of Ngarluma Aboriginal Corporation that’s managed entirely by Ngarluma Traditional Owners, focusing on sustainable and community-led development of large-scale renewables. Belinda has been a key advocate for the recognition of Murujuga as a UNESCO World Heritage Cultural site and played an instrumental role as a representative on the World Heritage Committee. One of her highlights & achievements has been speaking on World Stage at UNESCO in Paris on behalf of my Elders and my People, With over 15 years of corporate experience, her expertise spans executive leadership, management, cultural heritage, and negotiations.

Matthew is the Deputy Secretary of the Energy Group, which includes the clean energy investment facilitation, electricity, gas and liquid fuels, energy performance, and national energy transformation divisions. He joined the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water in November 2023, where he led the development and rollout of the Capacity Investment Scheme (CIS). Before joining DCCEEW, Matthew headed Telecommunications Infrastructure Policy at the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts (DITRDCA). In that role, he was responsible for policy on 5G Network deployment, Low Earth Orbit Satellites (LEOSats), and the National Broadband Network (NBN). He also played a central role in the government’s response to the Optus Data Breach. Earlier in his career, Matthew spent 20 years at the Australian Treasury, leading divisions responsible for Macroeconomic Modelling and Policy, Tax Analysis, and Environment, Industry and Infrastructure Policy. He also spent three years in the Treasurer’s Office as Principal Policy Officer to The treasurer and Deputy Prime Minister (at the time), Wayne Swan.

Bec Halliday is an Aboriginal leader and nationally recognised authority in First Nations governance, cultural heritage and environmental protection, and the clean energy transition. With more than two decades of executive leadership across government, industry and the First Nations sector, she has led major policy reforms, strategic partnerships and initiatives that strengthen First Nations leadership and embed cultural knowledge across Australia's environment, energy and infrastructure sectors.
As Director of Engagement and Programs at the First Nations Clean Energy Network, she leads national initiatives that strengthen First Nations leadership and ensure communities are active partners and beneficiaries in Australia's clean energy transition. She is also Co-Chair of the Indigenous Advisory Committee under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 and founder and CEO of GIRA Group, a First Nations-led strategic advisory firm partnering with government, industry and Traditional Owners to deliver culturally informed governance, agreement-making and environmental solutions.

Leah Armstrong is the Interim Director, ANU Centre for Indigenous Economic Transformation and a member, First Nations Economic Empowerment Alliance.
Leah Armstrong, a Torres Strait Islander, is a senior professional with 30+ years’ experience driving change across business, not-for-profit, and Indigenous affairs. Leah has played a pivotal role in national Indigenous affairs and currently serves on several Committees including member of the First Nations Trade and Investment Advisory Group, an Australian Co-chair of the Indigenous Peoples Economic and Trade Co-operation Arrangement (IPETCA) Partnership Council, Creative Australia Impact Investment Advisory Committee, and member of the First Nations Economic Empowerment Alliance and Alliance Representative on the Commonwealth First Nations Economic Partnership. Leah previously held positions as Regional Manager for International Funders for Indigenous Peoples, co-founder/Managing Director of First Australians Capital, CEO of Reconciliation Australia, Director of Indigenous Business Australia, and Chair of Supply Nation. She was a member of the Prime Minister’s Indigenous Advisory Council. She lives on Awabakal country in Newcastle, Australia.

Uncle Alby Zantuck is a proud Wadawurrung Elder and a passionate advocate for the restoration of healthy Country, cultural burning, waterway protection and the intergenerational transfer of cultural knowledge. A valued mentor and community leader, Uncle Alby regularly represents Wadawurrung at cultural ceremonies, truth-telling initiatives and partnerships with government, industry and community. Through his leadership, he continues to champion self-determination and inspire collaborative approaches that place Culture and Country at the centre of environmental stewardship and future decision-making.

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.

Rene Dingo is the WA Project and Engagement Lead at Original Power, working closely with Fitzroy Valley and Kimberley Aboriginal Communities to strengthen self‑determined participation in the clean energy transition. A Bunuba man from the Central Kimberley, Rene brings deep experience in community engagement, land management, mental health and alcohol and other drug services. He previously led Gurama Yani u – Fitzroy Valley Men’s Shed, co‑designing the gateway program, an Indigenous employment initiative delivered during main roads WA’s Fitzroy River Bridge Project.

Chantelle Johns is a passionate and effective change-maker and community facilitator, and Original Power’s Community Project Coordinator based in the remote Northern Territory Indigenous community of Marlinja. Since 2023 Chantelle has led community engagement through development and deployment of the Marlinja community microgrid; Australia’s first 100% First Nations’ owned and grid-connected solar microgrid. Chantelle is now working to roll out an energy efficiency program with Marlinja households to continue improvements to energy affordability, reliability, thermal comfort and community wellbeing.

Scott McDinny is a descebdant of the Garrwa/Yanyuwa people from Borroloola in the NT’s Gulf of Carpentaria. He is an experienced community organiser and a Director of the Borroloola Ngardara Cooperative, a community-controlled initiative driving the development of our Ngardara Solar Microgrid project, the first community-owned utility-scale microgrid in the Northern Territory.Scott has ten years experience in construction and civil qualifications supporting the delivery of our homeland and community solar projects across the NT, and is an accomplished musician with a passion for supporting young mob into skilled jobs in the renewable energy sector.

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.

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.

Madison (Madie) Sturgess is a cleantech specialist with experience across tech start-ups, agriculture, film and TV, and international development sectors. Her cleantech experience includes developing microgrid projects and clean energy cooking alternatives with remote Haitian communities by way of Washington DC, and researching and developing energy innovation opportunities and policy reform for agriculture and communities in regional Queensland. Madie is passionate about fit for purpose solutions for sustainable development, the democratisation of energy, and the larger transition to circular economies - none of which is possible without consulting the communities they serve.

Lauren Mellor is the Clean Energy Communities Co-Director at Original Power. Lauren has over two decades experience working in community development and organising capacities with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in the Northern Territory and Queensland to implement self-determined solutions to complex community needs. She has led programs and teams of people in the design, implementation and assessment of community-driven projects and has experience delivering community energy planning scenarios, standalone and grid-connected solar and battery storage projects and renewable energy law and policy reform to ensure First Nations people play a leading role in the clean energy transition.

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.

Emma Donovan is a celebrated Aboriginal Australian singer and songwriter, known for her powerful voice and heartfelt storytelling. A proud Gumbaynggirr and Noongar woman, Emma began her musical journey at the age of seven, performing with her family’s band, The Donovans. She later co-founded the Indigenous trio Stiff Gins and released her solo album Changes in 2004. Emma’s collaboration with Melbourne rhythm combo The Putbacks has been particularly impactful, resulting in critically acclaimed albums such as Dawn (2014), Crossover (2020), and her latest release, Til My Song is Done (2024), which was nominated for an ARIA Award. Their work has earned multiple accolades, including Best Soul, Funk, R&B or Gospel Act, Best Group, and Best Album at the 2021 Music Victoria Awards.

SYmposium dinner performer