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.