Vonda Malone
Vonda Malone is the Principal Adviser of Vonda Malone Consultancy, a First Nations-led strategic advisory business working with governments, industry, investors and communities to translate complex social, economic, environmental and infrastructure challenges into practical, lasting outcomes.
A nationally recognised First Nations leader, strategic adviser and advocate, Vonda brings more than 30 years of experience across senior executive leadership, governance, government reform, essential infrastructure, economic development, climate resilience and community-led development. A proud Peiuduram of Erub Island in the Torres Strait and of the Yupungathi and Wuthathi peoples of Cape York, Far North Queensland, she brings a distinctive combination of cultural knowledge, lived experience, strategic leadership and practical delivery capability.
Through VM Consultancy, Vonda draws on her extensive experience across government, industry and community-controlled organisations to support strategic planning, policy implementation, investment partnerships, governance and initiatives that deliver meaningful outcomes for First Nations peoples, regional and remote communities, and Country.
Her expertise includes clean energy and the energy transition, First Nations participation and ownership, essential infrastructure, housing, water and food security, economic development, climate adaptation, environmental stewardship, marine and land and sea Country management, and government policy and reform.
Vonda is a strong advocate for First Nations participation, ownership and economic benefit in Australia’s clean energy transition. Drawing on her longstanding climate advocacy and experience with Indigenous Energy Australia, she works across government, industry and communities to advance community-led renewable energy solutions, energy security, affordability, resilience and a just transition. Her work emphasises cultural authority, self-determination, genuine partnerships and practical pathways to investment, participation and intergenerational benefit.
Her leadership is grounded in the realities of First Nations, regional, remote, island and end-of-grid communities, where access to essential services, climate impacts and economic opportunities are deeply interconnected. She understands that lasting change requires more than good policy or investment; it requires genuine relationships, shared decision-making and the ability to connect community priorities with government, industry and practical delivery.
In 2016, Vonda made history as the first female Mayor of Torres Shire Council. She has held senior leadership and governance roles, including Chief Executive Officer of the Torres Strait Regional Authority and Commissioner of the Queensland Truth-Telling and Healing Inquiry. She was also the founding Chair of Torres Health, the first community-controlled health organisation in the Torres Strait, and has served in a range of statutory, advisory and board roles.
Vonda’s leadership and contribution have been recognised nationally and internationally. Her accolades include the Susan McKinnon Emerging Political Leader of the Year Award and the Centenary Medal. She is a Fellow of the Queensland Academy of Arts and Science, an Australian Rural Leadership Program alumna and an alumna of the United Nations Human Rights Commission Indigenous Fellowship Program.
Through her leadership, advocacy and work with VM Consultancy, Vonda brings a distinctive perspective to clean energy, climate adaptation, First Nations economic participation, governance and the future of regional and remote Australia. Her central message is that remoteness is not a disadvantage, and investment must deliver outcomes for people, communities and Country that endure across generations.
