First Nations Economics Announces New Chair and Board Members, Marking a Historic Majority Female Aboriginal-Led Board

First Nations Economics (FNE) today announced the appointment of Professor Sandra Creamer AM as its new Chair, alongside the addition of two new board members Suzy Wilson and Renee Pujo.  This strategic 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.

Sandra Creamer AM is a distinguished lawyer recognised for her leadership on First Nations women’s health, human rights and self-determination. Sandra is the CEO of the Australian Women’s Health Alliance and an Adjunct Professor of Public Health at the University of Queensland. Sandra 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, Sandra said,

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

Suzy 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, Suzy 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.

Renee 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.

Suzy Wilson (credit: DFAT)
Renee Pujo (credit: FNE)

Shaun Cumming, Director of Corporate and Governance at FNE added,

“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.”

This new leadership team builds upon the strong foundations laid by outgoing board directors Trish Oxford, Gurminder Saro and Daniel Merrikin. FNE sincerely thanks them for their dedicated service, valuable contributions, and commitment to the organisation’s mission. Their guidance has been instrumental in shaping FNE into the impactful organisation it is today.

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. With this newly appointed board, FNE is well-positioned to further its work in walking alongside First Nations communities to achieve self-determined prosperity.

Gurminder Saro

Interim Chair

Associate Professor Rick Macourt is a proud, queer Gumbaynggirr man, lawyer, and economic specialist. He leads First Nations Economics as Managing Director of Strategy and Foundation and serves as Associate Dean of First Nations Strategy and Services at the University of Sydney.

With over 15 years of experience spanning government, corporate, and not-for-profit sectors, Rick is deeply committed to advancing the economic development of First Peoples. As the former Director of First Nations Expenditure and Outcomes at NSW Treasury, he spearheaded the state’s inaugural Indigenous expenditure reporting processes and established the groundbreaking First Nations budget process in 2021/22. Previously, Rick held an executive role at the Westpac Group, overseeing First Nations affairs, and has a rich history in government, monitoring, evaluation, and negotiation, with senior positions at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, City of Sydney, and Standards Australia.

Rick is a published author with Oxford University Press, a member of the First Nations Advisory Board of Siemens Australia, and a Non-Executive Director on the board of Barnardos Australia.