Director
Kirsty is an Indigenous executive with more than 25 years’ experience driving the strategic delivery of projects, co-design of reform agendas and organisational and business growth and has an extensive network that spans local, regional and national levels and includes community, corporate, and philanthropic connections.
Kirsty is of both Aboriginal and Torres Strait heritage and grew up on the traditional lands of the Gimuy people.
The relationships held across the Cape York and Torres Strait region are testament to Kirsty’s commitment to the empowerment of future generations of First Nations people. Passionate about elevating community’s vision to create opportunities for our next generation of leaders, she has built nationally recognised programs and strategies within the Indigenous affairs sector.
Kirsty has held senior management positions with Cape York Land Council, private sector, Jawun Indigenous Corporate Partnerships and since 2010 has led the growth of programs as the CEO of the Puuya Foundation in Lockhart River.
In August, Kirsty stepped into the role of CEO of the Cape York Institute for Policy, Leadership and Innovation, Australia’s leading Indigenous think tank.
Kirsty currently sits as the Executive Director of the Puuya Foundation, a Management Committee member of Torres Strait Kaziw Meta Boarding College and is excited to join the Board of Girls from Oz after being part of the program delivery in Lockhart River via the Puuya Foundation.