First Nations Economics proudly announced the appointment of Professor Sandra Creamer AM this week as its new Chair, alongside the addition of two new board members Suzy Wilson and Renee Pujo.

This development, accomplished after a targeted campaign, results in a purposefully majority female Aboriginal-led board of directors and a landmark achievement for the organisation dedicated to advancing economic opportunities and self-determination for First Peoples.

Ms Creamer is a distinguished lawyer recognised for her leadership on First Nations women's health, human rights and self-determination. Creamer is the chief executive officer of the Australian Women's Health Alliance and an Adjunct Professor of Public Health at the University of Queensland. She has worked closely with the former United Nations Special Rapporteur for Indigenous Peoples, chairs the Indigenous Peoples Rights International, advises the Seventh Generation Fund, and is a board member of the International Indigenous Women's Forum.

Reflecting on her appointment as Chair of FNE, Ms Creamer shared her excitement in a statement.

"I am deeply honoured to take on this role at First Nations Economics. This is a pivotal time to amplify the economic aspirations of our communities, ensure that economic development is culturally appropriate, gender inclusive and leads to genuine redistribution of power," she said.

"Having a majority female Aboriginal-led board brings crucial perspectives to this important work and will ensure that First Nations women are not just included in these conversations but leading them alongside our men. I look forward to working with the rest of the board and FNE management to build a stronger and more equitable economic future for all First Peoples."

Joining Ms Creamer on the board are Suzy Wilson-Uilelea and Renee Pujo, both accomplished leaders committed to First Nations economic advancement.

Ms Wilson-Uilelea is the director of the Northern Territory Office of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and a proud Wiradjuri woman with kinship connections to the Yorta Yorta and Wemba Wemba peoples.

A DFAT career officer, Uilelea has served in several overseas roles, including Deputy Ambassador in Dili and Deputy High Commissioner in Nauru and Suva. She was the first Indigenous Australian to serve as Head of the Torres Strait Treaty Liaison Office.

Ms Pujo is a dedicated leader in Aboriginal community development with over two decades of experience across regional and remote communities. Currently contributing to the management and governance at Jungarni Jutiya Indigenous Corporation in the remote Kimberley in Western Australia, her career has spanned education, child protection, program management, and community services, underpinned by a strong commitment to culturally responsive and trauma-informed practice.

Shaun Cumming, director of Corporate and Governance at FNE spoke on this new period of growth for First Nations Economics.

"This is an exciting period of growth and evolution for First Nations Economics. The expertise and leadership that Sandra, Suzy and Renee bring to the board will be invaluable as we continue to expand our impact and work towards achieving economic sovereignty for First Nations communities," he said.

FNE said the new leadership team builds upon the strong foundations laid by outgoing board directors Trish Oxford, Gurminder Saro and Daniel Merrikin. FNE thanked the outgoing board for "their dedicated service, valuable contributions, and commitment to the organisation's mission".

First Nations Economics works with partners as independent First Nations economic advisors to achieve the social, cultural and economic sovereignty of First Peoples through policy, evidence and evaluation, in Australia and globally.