Desmond Campbell

A proud Gurindji and Alawa man from the Northern Territory, Desmond Campbell is a visionary leader and passionate advocate for self-determination and empowerment among Australian First Nations peoples. With a rich background spanning diverse sectors, including government administration, not-for-profit organisations, and the corporate world, Desmond brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the forefront of Indigenous issues in Australia.

As the Chief Executive Officer at Welcome to Country, Desmond has seamlessly blended his unwavering dedication to First Nations communities with his extensive professional acumen. His journey began with a foundation in Social Sciences, having earned a bachelor's degree from Macquarie University, providing him with a strong academic grounding in understanding the complexities of social issues. Further studies saw Desmond gain favourable credentials with an Associate Diploma in Public Management and others. 

Desmond's career has seen him as a First Nations Practice Lead, where he has led initiatives across multiple sectors, with a particular focus on government administration, social policy, and community-based service delivery. This specialised experience has equipped him with the insights and skills needed to navigate the unique challenges faced by Indigenous communities while also harnessing the opportunities for positive change.

Domestic Violence response and prevention is a big part of Desmond's professional career. Working in developing and implementing local and national policy around domestic violence and ensuring Aboriginal people are acknowledged as best practice experts when trying to prevent and respond to domestic violence in their family structures and communities. Desmond has also led a perpetrator psychological education program in Aboriginal communities across the Northern Territory, worked with supporting women who are experiencing domestic violence to make their homes safer and secure as well as working with men's leadership groups to stop domestic violence. 

In 2019, Desmond was appointed to the Board of Our Watch, a national leader in the primary prevention of violence against women and their children in Australia.