Barry J. Hunter is a Djabugay and Djirrbal Traditional Owner from the rainforest Country of the Cairns hinterland, growing up along the Barron River near Kuranda. With more than 30 years of experience across Aboriginal affairs, land and sea management, cultural governance, and community economic development, Barry is recognised nationally as a strategic leader in Indigenous-led systems change. Barry’s career spans government conservation agencies, the mining and exploration sector, community organisations, and the not for profit environment and cultural heritage sectors. He has also worked extensively as an independent consultant across Aboriginal land management, the carbon industry, biodiversity markets, and community development. His work consistently centres Cultural Authority, Indigenous governance, and the creation of sustainable social, cultural, and economic outcomes for communities. Barry holds a Bachelor of Applied Science from Charles Sturt University and maintains a deep commitment to supporting Indigenous ranger groups, fire management, cultural heritage protection, and the development of new and emerging economies, including carbon, biodiversity, and environmental offsets. He is currently the Chief Executive Officer of the North Australian Indigenous Land and Sea Management Alliance (NAILSMA), where he leads national initiatives focused on Indigenous governance, climate and biodiversity policy, knowledge systems, and community-led economic development.