Kristy Masella has dedicated her life to the empowerment of Aboriginal communities. She is a proud Murri and South Sea Islander from Darumbal Country and part of the inner Sydney and Central Queensland Aboriginal communities. She has worked in Aboriginal Affairs for more than 35 years across many portfolios and sectors nationally. Kristy is Managing Director of one the largest and most successful Indigenous recruitment and group training companies in Australia, AES, who empowers Aboriginal people through employment, training and community development.

Kristy is an award-winning Author, studied Journalism at the University of Queensland, holds a Masters in Human Rights Law and Policy at the University of NSW, and is a Harvard Scholar.

Kristy has been named one of Australia’s Top 100 Most Influential Women by the Australian Financial Review and Westpac, and went on to be awarded one of the Top 10 Category winners as Diversity Winner.

Kristy was appointed by the Minister for Indigenous Australians to the Board of the Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation in 2022. She is also a Director of the ILSC subsidiary, Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia which manages the Mossman Gorge Centre and Ayers Rock Resort. Kristy contributes to the sustainability, self-determination and economic independence of remote Aboriginal communities through her role as Managing Director of Yaama Ganu Art Centre which supports the ethical sale of Aboriginal art nationally and internationally.