Aboriginal health executive Monica Barolits-McCabe has been appointed the Australian Indigenous Psychologists Association's (AIPA) new Chief Executive Officer.
A Kungarakan woman from Darwin, AIPA said Ms Barolits-McCabe brings extensive senior leadership experience across Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, the community-controlled sector, government, higher education and workforce development
Ms Barolits-McCabe's career has included senior roles with the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO), Australian Indigenous Doctors' Association (AIDA), Flinders University Northern Territory, Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance Northern Territory (AMSANT), Danila Dilba Aboriginal Medical Service and the Australian Government Department of Health.
AIPA said she also brings significant organisational and governance expertise, with experience across corporate governance, financial management and risk management, and holds a Bachelor of Commerce in accounting from the University of Canberra.
Ms Barolits-McCabe said she was excited to join the organisation at a pivotal time.
"This is such an important time for Indigenous psychology," she said.
"We need to strengthen and grow the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander psychology workforce, while making sure our psychologists and students are culturally supported throughout their careers.
"AIPA has an incredibly important role to play in that work - advocating for our workforce, elevating Indigenous knowledge and leadership within psychology, and helping create a profession in which Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander psychologists can thrive."
AIPA said Ms Barolits-McCabe's appointment comes as the organisation builds on one of its most significant workforce initiatives, the Culturally Responsive Internship and Supervision Support Project.
The project provides culturally responsive internship placements and supervision support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander provisional psychologists, helping strengthen pathways from university into the profession.
"Growing the workforce is not simply about increasing numbers. It is about creating culturally safe pathways and putting the right support around Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as they study, undertake internships, enter the profession and develop as psychologists and leaders," Ms Barolits-McCabe said.
"The Internship and Supervision Support Project is a huge achievement for AIPA and an example of the practical change our organisation can help drive.
"I'm looking forward to building on this work and bringing my experience in health, workforce development, governance and the community-controlled sector to AIPA."
AIPA Chair, Professor Victoria Hovane, welcomed Ms Barolits-McCabe's appointment.
"Monica brings an extraordinary breadth of experience to AIPA, along with a deep understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, workforce development and the importance of Indigenous leadership," Ms Hovane said.
"She is also already deeply connected to the sector and many of our partners. We are delighted to welcome Monica to AIPA and look forward to working together to build on the enormous amount of work already underway and take AIPA into its next chapter."
Ms Barolits-McCabe said she was looking forward to working with AIPA's Board, members, staff, partners and the wider Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander psychology community.
"There is an enormous amount of knowledge, experience and passion within AIPA," she said.
"I'm looking forward to listening, building strong relationships and working together to increase AIPA's impact and help shape the future of Indigenous psychology."
