Dean Parkin

2018 Cohort

Dean is empowering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations and communities to craft their own narratives and lead their own change and development.

Dean believes in the power of bringing people and ideas together through conversation so that change is owned by those living it. He excels at working with people to co-design strategic change within their organisations and communities.

An experienced independent management consultant, Dean has worked across the public, corporate, not-for-profit and political sectors. He has advised a range of clients on strategy, engagement and co-design, including the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, Palladium, Coles, the Referendum Council and Jawun. In addition to extensive experience in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander affairs, he has commercial experience both in Australia and the UK.

Dean is from the Quandamooka peoples from Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island) in Queensland. He was involved in the negotiations leading to a Native Title determination in 2011 and continues to work with his community on this journey. Dean has a Bachelor of Arts (Politics and Journalism) from the University of Queensland.

“Since I first wrote about land rights as a seven-year old, my vision has been for one of an Australia that is at peace with its own identity.”