Three prominent First Nations people have been appointed to the Board of Indigenous Business Australia (IBA).
The announcement on Wednesday from the federal government saw Darren Godwell appointed as chair, whilst Leah Cameron and Olga Havnen were appointed as directors.
The announcements come in the wake of a recently released Senate report, which found First Nations people and businesses are significant contributors to the national economy, but restricted access to finance and capital is limiting their growth and financial wellbeing.
The government said the IBA plays a "critical role" in advancing the economic independence and success of First Nations people, offering expert business advice and investment initiatives.
Mr Godwell, a Kokoberren man from north Queensland, is chief executive of i2i Global, an Indigenous-owned and Indigenous-led advisory company and serves on the Indigenous Advisory Group at NAB.
He has extensive business experience in investment and trade, as well tourism, education, international development, and legal affairs, and was made a Fellow of the Australian Institute of International Affairs in 2022 for advancing Indigenous interests in trade and investment.
Ms Cameron, a Palawa woman from Tasmania and the managing director and principal solicitor of Marrawah Law, specialises in property law - including Native Title and cultural heritage - and commercial law.
Her experience includes work in government, representative bodies, and private practice, and she serves as Indigenous expert on the Australian Heritage Council.
Ms Havnen, a Western Arrernte woman who grew up in Tennant Creek, has significant board experience.
This includes as director of the Justice Reform Initiative, and previously as a director of the Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation, Clontarf Foundation and Stars Foundation.
She has also held leadership roles in a number of community-facing roles, including as chief executive of the Danila Dilba Health Service.
Minister for Indigenous Australians, Malarndirri McCarthy, said the three new IBA board members bring a "wide range of skills and lived experience that reflects the diversity of First Nations Australia - from finance to community health, from small communities to big cities".
"That diversity will contribute to IBA's ongoing efforts to support First Nations people to realise their aspirations and build sustainable economic futures," she said.
Senator McCarthy also thanked outgoing chair Mr Eddie Fry, as well as directors Ms Shirley McPherson and Mr Richard Allert AO, for their "leadership and dedication to IBA over the past decade, and Mr Richard Callaghan for his contributions during his 3-year tenure".