Louisa Warren is a proud Torres Strait Islander woman with family connections from Badu Island in the Torres Strait whose impressive career path has led to her becoming the Executive Manager for Indigenous Engagement at Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO.

Warren grew up on tropical Gimuy Walubara Yidinji Country in Cairns, but moved to Brisbane for better employment opportunities.

“Moving away from home and my family was a tough decision, but I knew it was something I needed to do. It’s been a journey full of new opportunities and I’ve met so many wonderful people along the way,” Warren says. 

By the water’s edge

In her free time, Warren contributes to other committees. She is on the Indigenous Advisory Panel at the Queensland Gallery of Modern Arts and was a member of the Queensland Museum Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Consultative Committee.

When she isn’t working or fulfilling her committee responsibilities, Warren finds solace by the water. She enjoys visiting the Bay Islands in southeast Queensland with friends or heading to the beaches down south. She takes time to connect with her family, friends and Elders.

Commitment to community, culture and career

Louisa dedicates herself to her community as a member of the Teralba Park Stolen Generations Committee and passionately participates in cultural and community events. Before joining CSIRO, Warren and her community received a small grant for Senior Week. This was to support local Brisbane Elders to connect and spend time with the community at Stradbroke Island and Cherbourg.

One of her most memorable experiences was her time at Garma in 2019, where she travelled with the largest-ever Garma delegation.

Warren says the four-day camping trip in the Northern Territory was an excellent opportunity to build and strengthen relationships with her colleagues.

“Garma is a wonderful opportunity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff to connect with the deep and authentic cultural heritage of the Yolngu People. The practices and traditions they encountered there had been largely untouched by the influence of colonialism.

“However, this experience was bittersweet. It was truly remarkable to witness the resilience and deep-rootedness of their culture but it also highlighted a sense of loss for many of our communities.

“Every family had their own set of colours and symbols drawn on with ochre. These patterns were not just simple designs, but they held a deeper meaning behind them. Each unique pattern and symbol had a specific significance that conveyed a message about the family’s history, beliefs and values.”

Cultural leadership at CSIRO

As an Indigenous woman, Warren understands the importance of cultural protocol and traditions. In this position, she oversees the implementation of CSIRO’s Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). Her team is 100% staffed by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and has led the development of CSIRO’s Indigenous Cultural Intellectual Property (ICIP) Principles. 

Warren is dedicated to improving outcomes for Indigenous communities. Before joining CSIRO, she worked on developing the first RAP for a major event in Australia at the Commonwealth Games. She has worked in community engagement, policy development, and strategy for almost 17 years. During that time, she has learned a lot about building the capacity of communities and developing economic tourism strategies for remote communities, such as Stradbroke Island.

Warren is also passionate about creating a more inclusive workplace. She marched with her colleagues at this year’s Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. It’s another way she shows how much she believes in standing up for everyone and celebrating diversity in all its forms.

“As an Executive Manager for the Indigenous Science and Engagement team, I was proud to march with CSIRO in the Mardi Gras parade,” Louisa says.

“Our team is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion in and out of the workplace, and Mardi Gras is a wonderful opportunity to show our support. We hope to inspire others to join us in creating a more equitable and inclusive environment for all.”

Warren is passionate about leaving a path for more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. She wants to reduce barriers and make sure everyone has the same opportunities.

“As an Indigenous staff member, I advocate for and drive changes based on the community’s needs. It’s a huge responsibility in terms of my position description and being accountable and responsible to the community. I am essentially their voice and the agent of change within the organisation.

“This is not a typical 9-to-5 job. It’s a career that has the power to create change and forge a legacy. I always think about the sacrifices made by our Elders who had to protest for the opportunities we now have. I strive to do my best and make a difference when I show up to work every day. I love being out in the community, talking to people and learning from them.

“We must actively be visible and engage with communities, letting them know we are here and in these positions. Raising awareness about CSIRO and available opportunities can help bridge the gap between the organisation and the community. We have a responsibility not only to our organisation, but also to the community.”

Last year, Warren won the Indigenous Leader of the Year award at the Women in Digital Awards. In her acceptance speech, Louisa credited the success of the Indigenous Jobs Maps project to the involvement of Indigenous voices, leadership, and the collaboration with the project team, advisory group and steering committee.

This article first appeared on CSIRO News.

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