Former Human Rights Commissioner Mick Gooda has been appointed chairperson of Indigenous youth education foundation Clontarf.

Mr Gooda is the first Indigenous chair of the organisation, with experienced senior manager Jenni Collard to serve as deputy, marking a new era of First Nations leadership.

He replaces Tom O'Leary, who has served on the board for two decades.

"It is a great privilege to be appointed Chair of the Clontarf Foundation," Mr Gooda said.

"Clontarf does important work with young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men across Australia. I have seen the commitment of its staff and Board and the strength of the relationships built with academy members, families, schools and communities.

"I look forward to working with Jenni, James, my fellow directors and Clontarf staff as we build on that work and ensure the young men remain at the centre of everything we do."

Clontarf has engaged with thousands of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth across over 160 academies and in schools since 2000.

Between 2010 and 2016 Mr Gooda was the Australian Human Rights Commission's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, having previously been co-Commissioner to a Royal Commission. He's also led the Queensland Government Stolen Wages Reparations Taskforce and headed, paneled and co-designed Indigenous rights, health and movements efforts, such as Treaty.

Mr Gooda is also chair of the Human Rights Law Centre.

He was appointed as a non-executive director of Clontarf in February, which established majority Indigenous membership on the organisation's board.

The future appointment of an Indigenous chair was announced at the time.

"Mick is one of Australia's most respected First Nations leaders and has dedicated more than 30 years to advancing the rights and interests of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people," Clontarf chief executive James McNamee said.

"Jenni is a senior executive with Rio Tinto and also brings a strong understanding of Clontarf and a deep commitment to improving opportunities for Aboriginal people.

"Their appointments strengthen First Nations leadership at the highest level of the Foundation and I look forward to working closely with Mick, Jenni and the Board as Clontarf enters its next phase."

Mr Gooda and Ms Collard started in their roles earlier this week.

"I look forward to working alongside Mick, James and my fellow directors to support Clontarf's staff and the young men, families and communities at the heart of the Foundation's work," Ms Collard said.

Outgoing chair Mr O'Leary wished Mr Gooda, Ms Collard and Ms McNamee success going forward.