The Director, Philanthropy Indigenous (Advancement) leads a team, working in partnership with the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous) and senior Indigenous leaders across the University, to attract philanthropy and corporate social investment to realise the ambitions of the Murmuk Djerring Indigenous strategy.
Sonya joined Advancement at the University of Melbourne in February 2025. She brings 30 years’ experience working with organisations throughout the United States and Indian Country that specialise in higher education, federal Indian law, arts and cultural life ways, social justice, the environment and community capacity building. Notable organisations include UCLA, Native American Rights Fund, Ford Foundation, Northwest Area Foundation, First Peoples Fund, Alaska Public Radio Network and Sundance Institute.
An enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, Sonya’s clans are Bitaahni, Naahilii and Bilagaana.