Keynote Speaker

Dawn Casey is a Tagalaka traditional owner from North Queensland. Dawn joined the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation in 2016 as Deputy CEO and was appointed CEO in 2026.

Dawn is co-chair of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Protection Sub-Committee and a member of the Australian Health Protection Committee.

Dawn has held full-time positions as Director of the Western Australian Museum, Powerhouse Museum and National Museum of Australia. Dawn was responsible for managing the design and construction of the National Museum of Australia and the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies through a world first project delivery alliance contract.

Dawn has also held part-time positions as Chair of Indigenous Land Corporation and Indigenous Business Australia and her career also includes a number of key executive positions in the Public Sector in areas including: Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, Indigenous Affairs, Cultural Heritage and Overseas Aid and Development.

Dawn has been awarded three Honorary Doctorates (QLD Charles Sturt, QLD and Macquarie Universities), the Commonwealth Government’s Public Service Medal (PSM), Australian Government’s Centenary Medal, three Australia Day Public Service Medals, the Australian Institute of Architects’ Clem Cummings Award, a Fellow of the Australian Academy of the Humanities (FAHA) and in 2021 the Sidney Sax Public Health Medal.