About Us
Empowering First Nations women to lead, innovate, and build sustainable futures in business, banking, investor and global relations.
We are dedicated to empowering First Nations women from across the Globe to lead, innovate, and build sustainable futures in business, banking, and investor relations. Rooted in the wisdom and strength of our ancestors, we carry forward a legacy of leadership and resilience, shaping new opportunities for generations to come.
By focusing on legacy leadership, global relations, and economic liberation, we equip women to drive change in their communities and the world. Our mission is to foster a thriving network of First Nations women, breaking barriers, expanding global influence, and redefining success through economic empowerment and culturally grounded leadership. Together, we honour the past of our ancestors while creating pathways for a prosperous, purposeful and impactful future
A/Prof Dr Donna Odegaard AM
Founder | FNBA
A/Prof Dr. Donna Odegaard AM is a proud Larrakia, Dangalaba, Gulmerrigin Traditional Owner of Darwin with Torres Strait Islander heritage on Waiben (Thursday Island).
An accomplished Indigenous leader, academic, and business woman with over 30 years’ experience in Indigenous affairs, cultural heritage, education, health, legal issues, the environment and global business. Dr Odegaard has been a trusted Indigenous leader and advisor to successive governments and peak Indigenous organisations in Australia and globally.
Since 1995 leadership roles are Aboriginal Education Research, Aboriginal Health, Director Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation, Co-Chair of the National Co-design Group Voice to Parliament, Ministerial Forum on Developing Northern Australia, Co-Chair Australia and New Zealand Indigenous Business and Trade Partnership, Cultural Advisor, Australian Heritage Commission, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (20 years).
Odegaard’s entrepreneurial skills range from fashion and design, mining, farming and media. In 2020, she founded Australia’s largest privately owned media network, First Nations Broadcasting Australia. This has four television channels, five radio stations (metropolitan and national broadcasting services) reaching 2,400 Indigenous communities across Australia. Productions are in-house for tv and radio in over 30 Indigenous languages. She is currently producing and directing two major television series - ‘On Land and Sea Country’ and ‘First Nations Tourism Destinations’.
Dr Odegaard has been a Keynote speaker for over 20 years in Australia, New Zealand and Canada on Leadership, Global Indigenous Business and Trade Relations, Media, Indigenous Environmental Conservation and Remediation, Indigenous Health and Wellbeing, Policy Reform and Indigenous Women in Business and Entrepreneurship.
She has been recognised with prestigious awards over 20 years including Order of Australia, Sir John Storey Lifetime Leadership Award, Naming Lady, Commissioning Lady and Decommissioning Lady HMAS Larrakia (19 years), Indigenous Alumni Award UoN, PhD (Treaty) and Masters (Aboriginal land Rights) and in 2021 an Honorary Doctor of Letters for outstanding leadership UoN.
Her goal is “to make a positive difference in her field of endeavour and make way for younger generations to be future First Nations legacy leaders”.
Meet Michele Young-Crook, MBA
Co-Founder
Michele Young-Crook is a First Nation consultant belonging to the Nijkwiwisens Family and Bear Clan. Her grandmother was a member of Nipissing FN. With over 20 years of experience in strategic consulting, she has worked with clients across Canada, the U.S., and Australia to help them complete projects, develop strategies, plan events, and align their mandates with their values.
Michele is thrilled to collaborate with Donna on this important event, which focuses on creating international opportunities and strengthening Indigenous women’s economic development globally.
Her expertise stems from her journey in nurturing a national charitable entity from inception with limited resources. This experience honed her skills across diverse roles, ensuring organizational success—from fundraising and organizational strategy to developing accredited educational courses.
Her success narrative is deeply rooted in her unwavering dedication to equipping Indigenous communities, women, and youth with the resources and programs they need to shatter barriers, build self-confidence, and improve their quality of life. Michele can effectively network, forging strong connections and partnerships that amplify the impact of her initiatives.
"The Global First Nations Women’s Leadership Summit is more than just an event—it’s a movement. It’s about creating spaces where Indigenous women are seen, heard, and empowered to lead in business, finance, and global markets. When we invest in Indigenous women, we invest in stronger economies, thriving communities, and a future shaped by the wisdom and resilience of our matriarchs. Together, we are building legacies that will empower generations to come."
- Michele Young-Crook
"First Nations women need to be visionaries, brave, outspoken, and stand by our convictions to be change-makers, leaders, motivators, and healers. We must ensure we have a succession plan from the start and bring in the next generation of women and girls - and the next - along the journey to self-fulfilment.
Encourage youthful participation, anticipation, energy and ideas that serve our cultural, social and economic aspirations. They deserve our respect, wisdom, mentorship, support and healing along their journey to be whatever they wish to be.
There’s nothing more rewarding than to see our next generation of leaders accelerate in life and for First Nations people as a result of being heard, believed in and guided to their self-fulfilled greatness!”
- Dr. Donna Odegaard AM