Tanya Denning-Orman has been appointed the new Chair of the Atlantic Fellows for Social Equity (AFSE) Advisory Board, based at the University of Melbourne.
Mrs Denning-Orman is the Director, First Nations, at SBS. Her career spans more than 30 years in media, including more than a decade leading National Indigenous Television and driving First Nations content strategy across SBS.
She also has board-level governance experience with organisations such as the World Indigenous Broadcasters Network, Media Diversity Australia and First Nations Media Australia.
AFSE Executive Director, Damien Miller, applauded her appointment.
“Tanya is an outstanding leader who helped make NITV the incredible Indigenous broadcaster it is today,” Mr Miller said.
“At NITV, and now in her role as Indigenous lead at SBS, Tanya has elevated the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders from across the nation and told the stories that our community and Australia needs to hear. She also has an incredible global network through her work with the World Indigenous Broadcasters Network.
“I couldn’t think of a better person to serve as AFSE’s fourth Chair and I look forward to working with her.”
Mrs Denning-Orman said she was deeply honoured to become Chair of the AFSE Advisory Board.
“As a Birri and Guugu Yimidhirr woman, it means a great deal to support an organisation that backs leaders working to create a fairer future,” she said.
“I’ve seen the impact leadership, strong partnerships and a clear sense of purpose can have in driving change. I look forward to working with Damien, the Board, the Fellows and the University of Melbourne to build on what the organisation has achieved and to extend that impact.”
Mr Miller also paid tribute to Professor Jim McCluskey, who served as Interim Chair since mid 2025, and to Professor Ian Anderson, the AFSE’s third Chair.
“AFSE is lucky to have strong support from incredible academic leaders like Professor Anderson and Professor McCluskey, who played a critical role in the award of the original gift from Atlantic Philanthropies to the University of Melbourne in 2016 and who have served as stewards ever since.”
University of Melbourne Vice-Chancellor Professor Carolyn Evans said: “As someone who was involved in the original bid for the Atlantic Fellows program, I have watched with pride the support it has provided for Indigenous leaders over nearly a decade. I welcome Tanya Denning-Orman to the role of Chair and thank her for bringing her experience and insight to the program.
“I would also like to acknowledge Professor Jim McCluskey for his leadership as Interim Chair and his ongoing commitment to AFSE through his continued role as a member of the Advisory Board. Alongside Professor Ian Anderson, Jim has helped build on AFSE’s founding vision and support its ongoing impact.
“Behind AFSE’s work is a community of people who share a belief in its purpose and a commitment to its success. This has been central to AFSE in this first decade and will continue to be important to its future.”
Professor McCluskey, also Assistant Vice-Chancellor at the University of Melbourne, congratulated Mrs Denning-Orman.
“We are very happy with the appointment of the new Chair Tania Denning-Orman, who brings a wealth of understanding and wisdom in leadership development and Indigenous matters,’’ said Professor McCluskey, who will return to his role as Deputy Chair of the AFSE Advisory Board.”
AFSE also welcomed Dr Areti Metuamate, who currently serves as the Master and Head of Ormond College, to the AFSE Advisory Board.
