Suzanne Thompson – is very proud of her ancestral bloodlines, and brimming with knowledge of her culture, Australian history, and innovative ways to share her passions with others in a respectful and contemporary way.

With 30 years working in both the government and community sectors Suzanne found herself following in her cultural footsteps as a pioneer for social and economic empowerment, trade, and indigenous self-determination.

She is Founder and Managing Director of Yambangku Aboriginal Cultural Heritage and Tourism Development Aboriginal Corporation (YACHATDAC) which manages a 22,000 Acre Property in Outback Central Western Queensland, she is now redefining the very idea of social enterprise and appropriate cultural trading methods that will ensure a safe and transparent economic future for indigenous people.

Suzanne also volunteers her time as the Chair of the Australian Native Foods and Botanicals (ANFAB) National Peak body and is working directly to secure indigenous interests and right in this rapidly expanding global marketplace.

She has just been appointed as indigenous advisor to the Tourism & Events Queensland board (TEQ), and interim secretary for the newly formed Queensland First Nations Tourism Council, the peak body for First Nations Tourism in Queensland.

She is currently fostering support and investment for nature-based economies, including Indigenous Land Management, Carbon Farming and First Foods & Medicines, and the recognition, protection, and renumeration of indigenous intellectual knowledge by industry, simultaneously orchestrating YACHATDAC’S vision to establish the Turraburra Research Institute ‘On Country’ between YACHATDAC, Griffith University, University Partners & key stakeholders.

Suzanne is a key First Nations participant and contributor to the Central Western Queensland Ministerial Round Table for her invaluable insights and connections to Regional Outback Queensland and is very proud to be a member of Landcare Australia’s newly established First Nations working group.

More recently, Suzanne has been appointed by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese as the First Nations Integrity member to the Emissions Reduction Assurance Committee/Carbon Abatement Integrity Committee.