Juanita ‘Wanda’ Halden is an Aboriginal woman, community leader, social enterprise founder and experienced professional whose career has crossed Indigenous governance, community development, mining and resources, government, compliance, cultural heritage and First Nations economic development.

As Founder and CEO of Ngalgarra Resources Indigenous Corporation (NRICorp), Wanda works at the riverbend of Country, community, economic participation and emerging industry, developing Aboriginal-led opportunities across environmental  and natural resources management, clean energy, cultural heritage, workforce development and regional enterprise.

Wanda brings a practical and lived perspective to speaking engagements. Her presentations are grounded in experience rather than theory — including navigating career change, building organisations, working across community and government systems, developing partnerships and creating opportunities in regional and First Nations communities.

Wanda is available for conferences, professional development sessions, workshops, panels, online events and facilitated conversations.

Topics can include:

• Building Your Professional Brand & Identity
• First Nations Women in Leadership
• From Lived Experience to Leadership
• Indigenous Governance & Community Development
• Aboriginal Economic Development & Social Enterprise
• First Nations Participation in Clean Energy and Emerging Industries
• Caring for Country, Cultural Heritage & Environmental Leadership
• Building Genuine Partnerships with First Nations Communities
• Career Transition, Confidence & Professional Visibility
• Regional Aboriginal Enterprise and Creating Employment on Country
• Women, Water, Country & Environmental Leadership
• Turning an Idea into an Aboriginal-Led Enterprise

Presentations can be tailored to corporate, government, community, education, resources, environmental and First Nations audiences.

Ember Connect
Thursday, 3 September 2026
10:00 AM WA | 12:00 PM Sydney/Melbourne

Your professional brand is more than a job title, qualification or LinkedIn profile.

It is the reputation you build through how you show up, what you stand for, the relationships you create and the consistency between your values and your actions.

In this relaxed 45-minute online yarn hosted by Ember Connect, Wanda will share practical insights from her own career and leadership journey across Indigenous governance, community development, government, compliance, resources and business.

The session will explore:

• Understanding your personal and professional brand and why it matters
• Building confidence in your story, values and lived experience
• Navigating career transitions and recognising transferable skills
• Creating opportunities through authentic professional relationships
• Using LinkedIn and professional platforms to increase visibility and credibility
• Balancing cultural identity, community responsibilities and professional aspirations
• Building a reputation based on integrity, transparency and consistent action
• Practical strategies for emerging leaders wanting to strengthen their professional presence and influence

The session is designed to be practical, conversational and accessible — particularly for people who may not have followed a traditional or linear career pathway.

Wanda’s professional story has not followed one straight line.

Her experience spans the resources sector, government, compliance, real estate, community organisations, Indigenous governance, cultural heritage, environmental initiatives and Aboriginal enterprise development.

That breadth of experience informs a central message in her speaking:

Your experiences do not have to fit neatly into one job title to have professional value.

Skills developed through community, culture, employment, business, family responsibilities and lived experience can become powerful foundations for leadership when people learn how to recognise, articulate and confidently communicate them.

Juanita ‘Wanda’ Halden is available for:

Guest speaking • Conference presentations • Panel discussions • Workshops • Online presentations • Facilitated yarns • Professional development • Community and corporate events

Speaking engagements can be developed around the needs of your organisation and audience, with particular expertise in First Nations leadership, Aboriginal economic development, professional identity, governance, community development, Country, clean energy and regional enterprise.

Ngalgarra Resources Indigenous Corporation

Email: info@nricorp.com.au

Website: www.nricorp.com.au