New Indigenous Business Australia director Krista Dunstan has a lifelong passion for creating opportunities through which Aboriginal people "can genuinely participate in, influence and benefit from Australia's economy".
Ms Dunstan, a Noongar woman from Western Australia, has over 15 years' experience in law, governance and public policy,
She is currently Chief Executive Officer of Port Hedland Industries Council and has held senior roles in government and the corporate sector, with extensive board and strategic leadership experience across Aboriginal affairs and energy transition sectors.
"I've been fortunate to work across law, government, international trade and investment, major industry, infrastructure and Aboriginal governance, and each of those experiences has reinforced the same lesson: lasting economic outcomes are achieved when First Nations people are owners and partners in decision-making, not simply participants in consultation," she told the Indigenous Business Review (a National Indigenous Times publication).
"From advising governments on Aboriginal policy, to representing Western Australia internationally as Investment and Trade Commissioner, to working alongside industry on complex regulatory reform and now leading the Port Hedland Industries Council, I've seen both the real barriers that continue to exist and the enormous opportunities ahead.
"Throughout that journey I've also remained committed to governance, serving on Aboriginal boards and continuing my own education through law, international relations, international law and business. Good governance creates confidence, and confidence attracts investment; in ourselves, our people, our communities and our businesses."
Ms Dunstan described the appoint to the Board of Indigenous Business Australia as "a tremendous honour".
"IBA helped me get into my first home, and this is such a valuable continuation of my journey," she said.
"This is an opportunity to contribute my experience to an organisation that has a unique mandate to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to build wealth, create businesses, own homes and participate fully in the Australian economy."
The new director said her top priority is "ensuring that IBA continues to be an organisation that creates practical pathways to economic independence, with an expanded reach".
"That means supporting access to capital for Indigenous businesses, strengthening pathways to home ownership and ensuring investment reaches opportunities that deliver both commercial returns and long-term community benefit right across Australia," Ms Dunstan said.
"I also see significant opportunity to strengthen partnerships across government, industry, financial institutions and Traditional Owner organisations.
"Increasingly, Aboriginal people are participating in sectors such as critical minerals, energy, infrastructure, agriculture and international trade. IBA has an important role in helping ensure Indigenous businesses and communities have the capability, capital and strategic partnerships needed to participate as owners, investors and long-term economic partners."
Ms Dunstan, who has worked extensively across international trade and investment, is also "interested in expanding opportunities for Indigenous businesses to engage with global markets and Indigenous economies overseas".
"Australia has an opportunity to become a leader in Indigenous economic participation internationally," she said.
She said IBA plays a very important role "because, like education, economic empowerment creates choices".
"Employment, home ownership, business ownership and investment are all fundamental drivers of self-determination. They enable individuals, families and communities to make decisions about their own futures," she said.
"IBA occupies a unique position because it doesn't simply provide funding; it provides the finance, advice and investment capability that helps Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people build assets over generations. That long-term focus is incredibly important.
"Economic development isn't an end in itself. It strengthens communities, creates employment, supports cultural continuity and provides greater independence. When Aboriginal people are owners, investors and decision-makers, the benefits extend well beyond individual businesses - they contribute to stronger regional economies and a more prosperous Australia."
Ms Dunstan said one important change she would like to see is Aboriginal economic participation being "viewed as a core part of Australia's economic future, rather than something considered separately from mainstream economic development".
"There is enormous opportunity across sectors including energy, resources, infrastructure, agriculture, tourism and technology. The conversation should increasingly be about how Aboriginal people participate as equity partners, business owners, investors and innovators - not only as employees, service providers or beneficiaries," she said.
"I'd also like to see greater confidence from both government and the private sector in backing Indigenous businesses. Access to capital remains one of the biggest barriers to growth. Where Indigenous businesses have access to investment, strong governance and genuine commercial partnerships, they consistently demonstrate their capability to deliver."
More broadly, she would like Australia to "continue moving towards a model where economic development and Indigenous self-determination are seen as complementary".
"The best outcomes occur when Traditional Owners and Aboriginal communities are involved early in decisions that affect their Country, with genuine opportunities to shape and participate in the economic benefits that follow," she said.
"Ultimately, success isn't measured simply by the number or scale of Indigenous businesses - it is measured by whether future generations inherit stronger assets, stronger institutions and greater economic choice than those who came before them. But of course, always with deep respect for and acknowledgement of the decisions, commitments and strength of those who came before us whose shoulders we stand on as we reach new heights."
Upon announcing the appointment of Ms Dunstan and the two other new IBA directors, Jessica Bulger and Bronwyn Dodd, earlier this month, federal Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator Malarndirri McCarthy, said their "diverse and extensive experience will support the important work of IBA and the self-determination and economic empowerment of First Nations families and communities".
