Michelle Deshong is from Townsville, North Queensland and draws her connection to Kuku Yalanji nation. She has completed a BA with First Class Honours in Political Science and Indigenous studies and is working on her PhD (on the participation of Aboriginal women in public and political life) at James Cook University. Michelle is currently the CEO of the Australian Indigenous Governance Institute.
Michelle has been a business owner for over 15 years and on the board of Supply Nation for the past five years. Michelle has extensive experience in areas of leadership, governance and politics, and holds a number of directorship roles in the Not-for-Profit sector, including Reef Restoration Adaptation Board and AIATSIS Council member. Michelle was recently profiled in the Australian Institute of Company Director magazine and recognised for her contributions for leadership and governance.
Michelle has a strong commitment to human rights and has also been an NGO representative on many occasions at the United Nations forums on the Commission on the Status of Women and Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women. She has a strong background in gender equality and works to ensures that the voices of Indigenous women are represented at all levels.
In 2016 Michelle undertook research in the USA and Canada as part of her Fulbright scholarship to develop strategies for Nation building, leadership and gender equality. She was also named as the 2015 National NAIDOC Scholar of the Year.
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