Jennie Toonen
Ms Jennie Toonen (she/her) is a proud Gooreng Gooreng, Kabi Kabi woman from the Sunshine Coast and Agnes Waters areas who has a Bachelor of Government and International Relations.
Jennie has 20 years’ experience working within the public service with a focus on upholding the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities through self-determination. She continues to grow her knowledge of contemporary issues to advocate, educate and be an effective intermediary between government and community.
Jennie co parents her two sons, who were born with disabilities, who shares her commitment to social justice with a goal of positively influencing future generations.
Jennie is currently the Chair of the Board for 2Spirits, is the treasurer and First Nations Director of Brisbane Pride Inc, co-Chair of the Department of Justice’s Just Pride Network is a former member of the Queensland Government’s LGBTIQ+ Minister’s Round Table and a founding member representative on the Queensland LGBTQI Alliance.
As the Director of the Department of Justice’s First Nations Advisory Unit Jennie’s career goal is to make a difference, as she frequently states, “for that generation just beyond her reach but never beyond her sight.”