Our Team

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.

Kristy is a proud Gumbaynggirr woman with over 20 years of experience working with First Nations communities across government and community-controlled organisations. Previously serving as Deputy Director of Regional Development with the Department of Regional NSW, Kristy brings a deep passion for regional development and community governance, striving to ensure First Peoples achieve self-determination and control over their futures. Her career has also included roles as Regional Manager at Aboriginal Affairs NSW and Customer Service Manager at Centrelink, where she demonstrated her commitment to empowering communities and driving meaningful outcomes.

Elaine is an experienced leader with family ties to the Anggamudi and Teppathiggi clan groups of Far North Queensland. She currently serves as FNE’s Manager, Partnerships and Public Relations. Elaine brings over 15 years experience in Indigenous engagement, social responsibility, and economic development, gained across various sectors, including government, non-profit organisations, and private enterprises in regional and remote Northern Australia. Now based in Naarm (Melbourne), she previously held key leadership roles as the Executive Manager of the Goldfields Aboriginal Business Chamber and CEO of the Broome Chamber of Commerce & Industry.

Leanne is a well-respected ally and FNE’s Manager, Community Impact. Since entering the financial services industry in 2002, she has developed strong relationships with Aboriginal companies, communities, and individuals across Eastern Australia. Leanne is passionate about financial education and fostering trusted, connected relationships. Drawing on her professional experience, she has provided practical support and created opportunities for people in regional, remote, and urban areas. This dedication was particularly evident in her previous role as Manager of Indigenous Business at Westpac.

Chris is a highly accomplished and trusted management consultant with extensive experience across public, private, and not-for-profit sectors. As an experienced management consultant, he specialises in all facets of business analysis and solutions, particularly in effective project delivery for large-scale and complex organisational transformations across various industries. As a graduate of Victoria University, holding a MBA and a Master of Change, Innovation, and Leadership, Chris is known for developing and maintaining key stakeholder relationships, collaborating to create and embed meaningful change, and leveraging innovative and agile ways of working. Raised on Dharug land and now residing on Wurundjeri Country, Chris has contributed to major initiatives, including evaluating large-scale programs, implementing data management systems, and supporting partnership resourcing.

Lucy is a proud Gumbaynggirr woman from Coffs Harbour, currently pursuing a Bachelor of International Relations (Year in Asia) at the Australian National University in Canberra. Passionate about social justice and amplifying the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth, Lucy is committed to creating meaningful change. Alongside her studies, she is gaining valuable experience with First Nations Economics as a graduate, focusing on developing her skills in policy and public administration.