Eileen Van Iersel is a descendant of the Arrernte, Luritja and Anmatjere language groups of Central Australia and has held senior leadership roles across government and non-government sectors including child protection, justice, housing, education and Aboriginal health.

As National Manager of the National Best Practice Unit Tackling Indigenous Smoking at Ninti One, Eileen leads national efforts to strengthen program delivery and support communities working to reduce smoking and vaping rates among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. In 2008 she was awarded a Churchill Fellowship to examine cultural and communication barriers in health systems, contributing to improvements in cultural safety within hospital environments.