Shelley is an Indigenous woman of the Djiribul people and a respected Indigenous specialist, strategist and service provider.

While she works with all sectors of the community, she is best known for her work with corporate Australia in helping them achieve their goals and advance with confidence. She is also known for her work with the national apology to the ‘stolen generations’ and the broader national reconciliation movement, both of which she played an important role.

Shelley is Managing Director of a successful private consulting firm operating since 1994 (and under former management since 1992). Arrilla works collaboratively with the government, private and community sectors to enable mutual change and sound partnerships. Arrilla is Indigenous owned and managed to help ensure outcomes are sensitive, as well as practical for the end user.

Shelley was a participant of APEC 2010 in Japan and The Women’s Entrepreneurship Summit. She attended on invitation of the US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, and as a guest of the US state government.

The Australian Financial Review named Shelley in their “100 Women of Influence” in 2013.

Shelley was awarded the Order of Australia (AO) in June 2012 for “distinguished service to the Indigenous community, to reconciliation and social inclusion, and as an advocate for improved educational, health and employment opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people”.

Areas of Expertise