Respected Mamu man Nathan Appo has become the first Indigenous Australian to join Movember's Global Board of Directors.
The appointment, announced Wednesday, coincides with the announcement of the first successful recipients of the Movember Institute's Indigenous Wellbeing Innovation Initiative, marking a milestone in the organisation's $17.6 million commitment to improving the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander boys and men.
Mr Appo brings more than 20 years' experience across Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, education, and community development. An advocate for Indigenous self-determination, he has worked across government, not-for-profits and grassroots organisations to improve outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Mr Appo currently works at the Institute for Urban Indigenous Health as the Partnership Manager of Deadly Choices. He sits on Tennis Australia's First Nations Advisory Board and previously served four years on the Queensland Reconciliation Board.
Movember said the appointment strengthens the organisation's commitment to embedding Indigenous leadership at every level of its global operations.
"We cannot improve Indigenous men's health without Indigenous leadership at the table," Mr Appo said.
"I'm proud to join the Board at a time when Movember is making bold, long-term investments in our communities; and backing the strength, knowledge and cultural wisdom that has existed here for tens of thousands of years."
The announcement also signals the next phase of Movember's $59.5 million global investment in Indigenous health; the largest in the organisation's history.
As part of its seven-year strategy, two Australian organisations have now been awarded funding through Movember's Innovation Initiative; supporting innovative, community-led programs that embed culture, connection and healing.
Movember is continuing its partnership with The Glen, an Aboriginal community-controlled drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre on the Central Coast of New South Wales.
The Glen takes a holistic approach to treatment, addressing the physical, mental, cultural and spiritual needs of each man, and helping them identify and manage the underlying causes of addiction. Its Cultural Warriors program, funded through an existing Movember grant, "weaves Indigenous culture and values throughout, providing a safe and supportive environment for men to live their best lives".
Joining Movember as a new partner is Deadly Inspiring Youth Doing Good (DIYDG) Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Corporation - an organisation empowering the next generation of strong and deadly leaders and Elders.
Through its Kunjur Kit program, DIYDG will work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across Far North Queensland to co-create and co-implement "innovative, accessible mental health and emotional regulation tools that support suicide prevention and stronger social and emotional wellbeing at a community level".
Movember's Indigenous Portfolio is designed to address the systemic inequalities faced by Indigenous men and boys, who continue to experience higher rates of suicide, chronic disease, and substance misuse.
The grants focus on improving social and emotional wellbeing, using what the organisation described as a "holistic understanding of health that recognises the deep connection to land, culture, kin and community".
"We know the solutions lie within the community," Mr Appo said.
"That's why we're investing in Indigenous-led ideas, evaluated through Indigenous knowledge systems, and delivered in ways that resonate with culture and Country."
The Innovation Initiative is guided by Movember's International Indigenous Advisory Committee, ensuring that programs are "culturally relevant, grounded in community values, and have the potential to scale".
The announcement will be followed in 2026 by the launch of Movember's Community Empowerment Initiative – the next phase of their work – which will "support broader place-based health strategies across Australia".
