Karrina Nolan

Founder and Executive Director, Original Power &
Director, First Nations Clean Energy Network

Karrina Nolan is a descendant of the Yorta Yorta people and a long-time organiser for First Nations self-determination. With over 30 years’ experience as a facilitator, researcher and strategist, she has worked alongside communities across the country to strengthen community power, protect Country and advance energy justice.

Through her Churchill Fellowship, Karrina explored nation-building and community power with First Nations women in Turtle Island (USA and Canada). As an Atlantic Fellow for Social Equity, she examined how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can harness the opportunities presented by clean energy.

Karrina is the Executive Director and founder of Original Power, a not-for-profit established in 2018 to support First Nations peoples to build power and self-determination in the context of climate change. In 2021, she initiated the First Nations Clean Energy Network, led by a strong First Nations Steering Group and supported by a broad membership of communities and organisations. The Network works in collaboration with industry, unions, investors, and legal and technical experts to ensure First Nations communities can give free, prior and informed consent to, participate in, and benefit from the clean energy transition — including through equity, ownership and economic development opportunities.