Marissa Whight
McKinnon,VIC
Summary
Hardworking and motivated professional who thrives in values-driven and collective environments. An Australian of British, Dutch and Welsh ancestry with a passion for collaborating with First Nations' leaders and organisations to create self-determined and equitable systems and operations. Successful in fast-paced and fluid situations. People leader with good planning and organisational skills.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Manager Treaty Negotiations (Acting)
Treaty Authority
, VIC
07.2024 - Current
- Leading the team responsible for supporting Members to facilitate Statewide Treaty and Traditional Owner Treaty processes
- Overseeing the implementation of IDSov and IDGov processes
Strategic Advisor
First Peoples Assembly of Victoria
VIC
02.2023 - 12.2024
- Worked with Assembly Co-Chairs, Members and operations to design and implement the Assembly’s strategic engagement approach with First Peoples, including ACCOs, Aboriginal Trusts and Traditional Owners
- Strategic and policy advice to prepare for Treaty negotiations
Principal Adviser
Treaty Authority
VIC
01.2024 - 07.2024
- Supported lead Member to plan the research function; recruit key staff; manage priority procurement and approvals; engage research partners
- Worked with the lead Member, University of Tasmania experts, the First People's Assembly, other experts, and internal teams to develop the Treaty Authority's approach to and policy for IDSov and IDGov ; act as operational lead
Principal Advisor (Consultant)
Te Arawhiti: Office of Crown Maori Relations
NZ
05.2022 - 09.2023
- Collaboratively designed a self-determined and partnership-based wellbeing strategy that delivers on Te Tiriti o Waitangi (1840)
- Lead Cabinet and senior official briefings on implementation.
- Managed staff development, team workplan and budget.
Writer - Consultant
Public Service Commission
NZ
04.2022 - 08.2022
- Supported a Social Development senior executive to write a fellowship that provided advice to Chief Executives on how to stop intergenerational ‘unwellness’ among Pacific peoples in Aotearoa
Policy Manager / Lead Advisor
Ministry of Social Development
NZ
07.2019 - 02.2022
- Led a team of 10 policy analysts; managed a work program including community development, COVID welfare and food security
- Oversaw cross-government policy and Cabinet briefings on COVID-19 welfare arrangements that led to decisions worth ~$450 million
Manager / Senior Policy Officer
Department of Premier and Cabinet
VIC
02.2017 - 04.2019
- Managed the Family Violence team; managed $14 million package (80 projects involving 60 community organisations) to prevent family and gender-based violence among multicultural communities
- Facilitated the design of the first strategy by African community leaders in Victoria; designed and implemented the first community-led grants program for and by South Sudanese communities; managed $1.5m in community grants
Assistant Director / Manager
Department of Immigration
ACT / VIC
2011 - 2017
- Managed a national program that supported approx. 250 children and young people to settle in Australia through refugee / humanitarian, adoption and migration legislation
- Managed a team responsible for humanitarian settlement in Victoria
- Advised on humanitarian settlement strategic policy
Executive Officer / Senior Advisor
Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet
, ACT
2007 - 2011
- Policy advice to the Prime Minister and senior executives on geopolitical issues, national security, counter-terrorism and law enforcement
Education
Social Value and Return on Investment -
Social Value Aotearoa
NZ01-2022
Partnership Training Course -
Partnership Brokers
NZ01-2020
Mediation Course -
LEADR
01-2008
Master of Public and International Law -
University of Melbourne
11-2006
Bachelor of Arts, Double Major Political Science -
University of Queensland
11-2002
Skills
- Policy Implementation
- Operations Management
- Strategic Planning
- Complex Problem-Solving
- Team Leadership
- Staff Training and Development
Accomplishments
- 2022, New Zealand Service Spirit of Service Award | Care in the Community Welfare Response (team award)
- 2019, DPC Award for South Sudanese Partnership Fund (team award)
Certification
- 2024 Ally Accreditation | Evolve Communities
Timeline
Manager Treaty Negotiations (Acting)
Treaty Authority
07.2024 - Current
Principal Adviser
Treaty Authority
01.2024 - 07.2024
Strategic Advisor
First Peoples Assembly of Victoria
02.2023 - 12.2024
Principal Advisor (Consultant)
Te Arawhiti: Office of Crown Maori Relations
05.2022 - 09.2023
Writer - Consultant
Public Service Commission
04.2022 - 08.2022
Policy Manager / Lead Advisor
Ministry of Social Development
07.2019 - 02.2022
Manager / Senior Policy Officer
Department of Premier and Cabinet
02.2017 - 04.2019
Assistant Director / Manager
Department of Immigration
2011 - 2017
Executive Officer / Senior Advisor
Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet
2007 - 2011
Social Value and Return on Investment -
Social Value Aotearoa
Partnership Training Course -
Partnership Brokers
Mediation Course -
LEADR
Master of Public and International Law -
University of Melbourne
Bachelor of Arts, Double Major Political Science -
University of Queensland
- 2024 Ally Accreditation | Evolve Communities
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