Kirsty Gowans is a highly experienced commercial lawyer and corporate governance professional who joined the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) in 2016 as general manager of project delivery. Prior to commencing with ARENA, Ms Gowans was general counsel for Indigenous Business Australia where she provided advice on commercial matters and administrative law matters including co‑investment and incentive structures, company law, contracts and finance arrangements. She also played a key role in supporting the governance functions of the board and overseeing IBA’s governance, compliance and legal risk management framework. A committed development specialist, her previous experience includes working with the Northern Land Council, NSW Native Title Service, North Australian Aboriginal Legal Service, and NSW Legal Aid Commission. She was also an investigator with the NSW Ombudsman and a mediator of complaints for the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission. In addition to her legal qualifications, Ms Gowans has postgraduate qualifications in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies. She is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and the Law Society of the ACT, and has a Masters in Public and International Law from the University of Melbourne.
