Prof. Tom Calma AO FAA FASSA FAHA

Chair
Prof. Tom Calma AO FAA FASSA FAHA

Professor Tom Calma AO FAA FASSA FAHA is an Aboriginal Elder from the Kungarakan tribal group and a member of the Iwaidja and Woolwonga tribal groups in the NT, living on Ngunnawal Country in Canberra. He has a long and distinguished career in academia, social justice and community development. He is the National Coordinator Tackling Indigenous Smoking (2010-present), Professor of Practice (Indigenous Engagement) at the University of Sydney (2015-present) and Patron of the Poche Centres for Indigenous Health (2010 to present). Professor Calma was a senior diplomat to India and Vietnam (1995-2002), Chancellor of the University of Canberra (2014-2023) and previously served as Reconciliation Australia Co-Chair (2011-2024), the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner (2004-2010) and the Race Discrimination Commissioner (2004-2009) with the Australian Human Rights Commission. Tom has been a Ninti Board member since 2009 and Chair of Ninti One Ltd since 2011. He is a Director of Ninti Pty Ltd, Deputy Chair of Ninti Training Ltd and Chair of Ninti One Foundation.

Professor Calma has a special interest in Indigenous and non-Indigenous health, education, aged care, economic development and social justice.

Professor Tom Calma was the 2023 Senior Australian of the Year.