Karla is championing the self-determination of Queensland’s Aboriginal Community Controlled Sector in exercising sovereignty, supporting communities and negotiating with state agencies.
Karla is a Torres Strait Islander from Moa Island, Saint Paul’s Village, and is based in Brisbane, Queensland where she is Chief Executive Officer at Inala Wangarra.
She is a descendant of the Moa Island people from the Torres Strait, and a Fijian woman, who has worked in the social service sector for over 25 years, in early childhood, housing and Indigenous community development.
Karla is the CEO ofHymba Yumba Indigenous Independent School, which seeks to educate and inspire young Indigenous children to learn and lead in both worlds. She is passionate about learning, whether in a classroom or around the kitchen table, believing that it’s through learning, opportunity and perseverance that change is possible. As a strong advocate for community led services that start from peoples’ strengths, instead of deficits, it’s this approach that she thinks will bring real changes in the lives of all Australians. In all that she does and is, she hopes to honour her Ancestors and leave a strong footpath for others to follow.