Dr Michelle Deshong

Dr. Michelle Deshong draws her connection to Kuku Yalanji and Butchulla nation and currently lives in Townsville, North Queensland. She has committed most of her professional life to the importance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples asserting their right to self-determination through culture reclamation, leadership, governance, and political engagement.

Michelle is recognised globally for her efforts in political advocacy, having worked across Indigenous affairs for over 30 years. She is among a generation of Indigenous leaders pushing the boundaries of change to overcome the challenges that have long beset Indigenous communities and organisations. A large body of her work has been in executive roles within the Federal government, NGO, and community sectors. Michelle has also held several governance roles including Chairperson of Supply Nation, previous Deputy Chairperson of AIATSIS, Chair of the Queensland Treaty Institute, and a member of the DFAT Indigenous Advisory Committee.

Michelle has been a business owner for over 20 years and is passionate about supporting the growth of the Indigenous business sector nationally and internationally. The business enables her to present and engage extensively on areas of expertise and support Indigenous peoples and communities across the country.

Michelle is also an accomplished academic, completing her PhD on the participation of Indigenous women in public and political life. She was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship in 2015/2016 to work with Native communities across the US, Canada, and New Zealand to explore models of cultural governance and nation building. She was also awarded a Churchill Fellowship and received the National NAIDOC Indigenous Scholar of the Year in 2015.

To find out more about Michelle and Deshong Consulting, visit the website www.deshongconsulting.com.au.