Fiona Jose is the Chief Executive Officer of Cape York Partnership, leading a comprehensive reform agenda to empower Indigenous families across Cape York. Belonging to the Kuku Yalanji and Zenadth Kes peoples, with strong connections to Wujal Wujal and Badu Island, Fiona combines lived experience, systems thinking and collaborative leadership to translate policy into practice.

Under her stewardship, Cape York Partnership has grown to encompass ten entities and enterprises, including Djarragun College, Cape York Girl Academy and the award‑winning Pama Platform, employing more than 350 people, 65% of whom identify as First Nations. Fiona has been instrumental in creating nationally recognised innovations, such as Australia’s first boarding school for young mothers and disengaged girls, Mayi Market to improve food affordability in remote communities, and targeted employment initiatives generating hundreds of jobs in some of the country’s most disadvantaged regions.

A national leader in the Empowered Communities movement, she works to shift decision‑making and accountability into the hands of local communities. Drawing on this experience, Fiona shares how leaders can build trust across diverse teams, foster allyship and navigate the complexities of influence to drive lasting impact.