Each member of our team is a thought leader in their own right. We are all experienced in our fields as published writers, journalists, professional speakers and facilitators, and as researchers, strategists, trainers and mentors in national and international contexts.
Project teams are assembled according to the brief and the unique needs of the agencies that engage our services. Our teams are well known for their relationship capabilities, attention to detail, completing tasks on time and in budget, and communicating and exchanging ideas effectively. Each team member has an impeccable track record in their ability to produce quality work.
Want to join our team? Explore our Current Opportunities.
Managing Director
Professor Kerry Arabena
A descendant of the Meriam people from the Torres Strait, Kerry’s work has brought her to the forefront of Indigenous affairs in Australia. A former social worker with a Doctorate in Environmental Science, Kerry has worked in not for profit, community controlled and academic institutions, holding senior positions such as the inaugural Co-Chair of the National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples, Executive Director of Apunipima Cape York Health Council, Chair of Indigenous Health at the University of Melbourne, lead researcher of First 1000 Days Australia, CEO of the Lowitja Institute and Director of Indigenous Health Research at Monash University, former Interim Director of Victoria’s Self-Determination Fund, and former Trustee at Arts Centre Melbourne. Internationally, Kerry was President of Ecohealth International, consulted for the World Health Organisation, was a Scientific Commissioner on the Lancet Pathfinder project and completed a Fellows program with the Rockefeller Foundation in Italy.
With an extensive background in public health, administration, community development and research, Kerry has led a wide range of organisations and committees and consulted across Oceania, Norway and Indonesia.
Currently, Kerry holds honourary professorial positions with the University of Melbourne and Federation University, manages her burgeoning consulting and education and training companies, and has several entrepreneurial programs in development including the most recent launch of her new business, Ilan Style. She received the Transdisciplinarity Award from the Australian National University in 2011 for her doctoral work. In 2025 she won the Sistas in Business Award at the Kinaway Victorian Aboriginal Business Awards.
How we are organised
Karabena Consulting is a lean, relationship-based practice. Professor Kerry Arabena leads every engagement, supported by:
Consulting and research: consultants, project managers and research assistants, working alongside First Nations associates, Elders and specialist collaborators engaged project by project, including peer researchers trained and supported by Karabena.
Operations: an Operations Manager, financial management, an Executive Assistant and procurement support.