Our PEOPLE

Co-Chair

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Leanne Miller AM is a member of the Dhulanyagan Ulupna clan of the Yorta Yorta Nation and a respected national leader in Aboriginal affairs, women’s leadership, and social equity. With over three decades of experience across government, corporate, and community sectors, she brings deep expertise in policy, governance, and stakeholder engagement. She is a Lifelong Fellow of the Atlantic Fellows for Social Equity.

As Executive Director of Koorie Women Mean Business, Leanne designed and delivered leadership programs that continue to shape the next generation of Aboriginal women changemakers. She has served in senior advisory roles for industry and government, developing Indigenous employment and economic participation strategies that drive systemic change.

Internationally, Leanne was an Australian Government NGO Delegate, United Nations Convention on the Status of Women. Also, a delegate to the United Nations on Indigenous rights and gender equality, contributing to key sittings including the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues and the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women.

She currently serves as a Trustee of the Victorian Women’s Benevolent Trust and Chairperson of Outback Academy Australia Pty Ltd.

A former elected member of the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria (2019–2023), Leanne is also a Foundation Member of national Indigenous representative bodies and has advised ministerial taskforces on gender, justice and workplace safety. Her boardroom experiences, cultural authority, and commitment to First Nations self-determination make her a trusted and strategic voice in governance.

Co-Chair

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Matthew Burns is a member of the Nira Baluk clan of the Taungurung Nation. Matthew is the CEO of Taungurung Land & Waters Council and brings extensive experience in Traditional Owner advocacy and operational management.

Matthew was a former elected member of the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria (2019–2025), both as a metropolitan elected member (1st term) and as a Taungurung elected member (2nd term).  Matthew is a Board member and Treasurer of the Victorian Aboriginal Child and Community Agency (VACCA) and is also the Deputy Chair of Greater Western Water, a Victorian State Government owned entity.

Matthew holds an Advanced Diploma in Financial Services (Financial Planning).

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Ian Hamm is a Yorta Yorta man and a respected advocate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. With a distinguished career spanning government and the community sectors, he has been instrumental in contributing to Closing the Gap and advancing Aboriginal representation in high-level decision-making.

Ian has led strategic reforms in government and numerous organisations and remains deeply committed to advocacy and mentoring. He is, amongst others, the Chair of the Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation, Chair of the First Nations Foundation, a Board Director of The Healing Foundation, and former Chair of Connecting Home Ltd, a Victorian Stolen Generations service. In recognition of his work , Ian was recently awarded an Honorary Doctor of Business by Swinburne University of Technology.

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Colleen, a proud Yuin woman, has dedicated her career to championing human rights, particularly for people with disabilities and mental illness. As Victoria’s first female Public Advocate since September 2007, she serves as the guardian of last resort for adults with disabilities, ensuring their rights and interests are protected at the highest levels. In her role, she also chairs the Community Visitor boards, providing oversight and advocacy for some of the most vulnerable members of society.

Colleen is a fearless advocate for the human rights and dignity of all individuals, especially those who are marginalized or face systemic barriers. With over 40 years of experience managing community and health services across both government and non-government sectors, she has continually worked to advance equality, inclusion, and access to essential services.

Her unwavering commitment to social justice and human rights has been widely recognized. Colleen received the Commonwealth Centenary Medal for her contributions to community services in Victoria and was inducted into the Victorian Honour Roll of Women in 2016. She was awarded an honorary doctorate from RMIT in 2018 for her significant work in the disability sector, and in 2020, received the Order of Australia Medal, further highlighting her impact as a leader in human rights advocacy.

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Chappie is an Indigenous leader and senior executive with more than two decades of experience leading complex systems at the intersection of public policy, economic development, and Indigenous partnership. He has held senior leadership positions across the New Zealand Government, including as Secretary for Children and Chief Executive of Oranga Tamariki – the Ministry for Children; Acting Chief Executive of Te Arawhiti – the Office for Māori Crown Relations; and senior roles in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and the Public Service Commission.

Throughout his career, Chappie has been recognised for his clarity of vision, cultural grounding, and ability to lead transformation with integrity and purpose.