Karen Milward AM

Method of Appointment

Council appointed

Membership Tenure

Appointed 1 January 2026 - 31 December 2028

Current Committees

Professional background/experience

Karen is a Yorta Yorta woman who was born and raised in Melbourne. She is a strong advocate for developing culturally appropriate solutions to the issues confronting First Nations peoples that empower individuals and communities to effectively move forward. Karen has had a varied professional career over 35 years. After a long career in the public sector, in January 2004, Karen decided to expand her horizons and take on new challenges to establish Karen Milward Consulting Services which she owns and has operated for 22 years.

Karen brings a range of complementary skills to all projects she works on, especially in those areas where she works with First Nations communities, government, community organisations and the private sector. Karen has successfully undertaken many complex projects and extensive consultations with First Nations and non-Aboriginal people and organisations to determine ways forward to introduce culturally competent practices and measures that meet the self-determination needs and aspirations of First Nations people and their families across Australia.

Karen has worked on 80 RAPs with corporates, government, local government and the non for profit sectors.

Karen is a highly experienced consultant delivering and providing advice to projects across First Nations economic and business sectors, capital works projects, health, family violence, justice, education, housing, employment, community strengthening fields, Traditional Owner engagement and Reconciliation initiatives and plans. Karen has also delivered over 7,500 Aboriginal Cultural safety and competency programs and worked in over 200 First Nations Communities across Australia.

Karen is a founding member of Kinaway and was Chairperson for 12 years, she is also the Chair of Mullum Mullum Indigenous Gathering Place, Community First Development, and for 8 years a Director on the board of Yarra Valley Water.

Karen was recently recognised in the Kings Birthday Honours with the Australian has won a couple of NAIDOC Awards and was inducted into the Victorian Women’s Honour Roll in 2022.