Stacee Ketchell is no stranger to leadership. A proud Torres Strait Islander woman and long-time youth advocate, her journey has always been about finding powerful ways to contribute to her community. In 2024, that journey took an international turn when she was selected as one of only three Australians – and the only First Nations woman – to join the prestigious Obama Foundation Leaders Program Asia-Pacific cohort 2024-2025.
Stacee has been working with Cape York Partnership (CYP) after she spearheaded the FNQ campaign for the Voice referendum. Following this campaign, she became the Cape Operations Manager at CYP and plays a vital role in connecting Cape communities to key services through Opportunity Hubs (O-Hubs) placed within these communities.
O-Hubs enable people in remote Cape York communities to access various services through Opportunity Products such as Mayi Market, Pama Platform, MPower, Homelands, and others. These products provide community members with easy access to healthy groceries, banking supports, property buying and more
She received the email about her acceptance into the Obama Foundation Scholarship in one of these O-Hubs.
“I was sitting in the Coen O-Hub when the email came through in disbelief,” she said.
Stacee was one of only three Australians and the sole Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander selected for the Asia-Pacific cohort. The opportunity arose through a nomination by a prominent advocate and a follow-up from an Australian program alumnus.
Though initially unfamiliar with the details, she quickly recognised the significance of the opportunity. Being named an Obama Leader meant joining a global network of over 1,500 changemakers trained in President Obama’s values-based leadership framework.
“I still pinch myself,” she said. “I’ve been trained in his name. That’s a badge of honour I carry.”
The program, delivered virtually over several months, brought together leaders from across the Asia-Pacific region and included interactive workshops, guest lectures and strategy development sessions. Each week, Stacee and her cohort dedicated their Saturdays to deep learning on topics ranging from storytelling and pluralism to power dynamics, polarity mapping and sustaining long-term change. They were guided by Obama’s sister, Dr. Maya Soetoro-Ng and joined by global thought leaders like Ben Rhodes, the architect of the Paris Climate Agreement and Hiroshima survivor Koko Kondo who spoke about peace and resilience.
“We had access to world-class leaders and practical tools,” Stacee said.
One of the biggest takeaways was that it’s okay to pause. You have to pace yourself for the long arc of change
Stacee Ketchell
Stacee’s leadership journey is grounded in community. She previously lived and worked in Aurukun with Cape York Employment and later co-founded DIYDG (Deadly Inspiring Youth Doing Good). Her experience in the FNQ campaign for the Voice referendum marked her first time managing a national campaign, one that spanned from the Torres Strait to Townsville and the NT border.
“After the referendum result, I remember thinking, we’ve come so far but our country hasn’t shifted. It was hard not to feel defeated. But then this opportunity came and I thought – how do I better position myself for the long game?”
For Stacee, joining CYP was a strategic decision, one she made feeling confident that the team leading DIYDG could continue without her direct input.
“DIYDG had strong foundations and I knew the team could continue without me,” she said. “I wanted to explore where else I could contribute. I believe community-controlled organisations like CYP are the bridge between our people and the systems that impact us. That’s where change can really happen.”
Stacee is committed to supporting young people and fostering peer leadership.
“This isn’t about me. It’s about building up our peers. We can’t do it alone,” she said.
The Obama Leaders Program reminded her of something powerful: hope must be sustained even in the face of setbacks.
“One of the speakers said it perfectly. ‘We need to keep true to our values even when democracy lets us down.’ That’s stuck with me,” Stacee said.
As she continues her work across Cape York, Stacee is bringing her global experience to her local communities, equipped with new tools, a deepened resolve and a renewed belief in the power of collective leadership.
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