Bernadette Black AM

Bernadette works with governments and communities across Australia, leveraging her advocacy of connecting lived experience to service delivery and policy design. Her work is having a transformative impact on our wider systems, helping these structures collaborate and simplify, so they can meet the needs of those that need it most.

From her own humble beginnings as a 16-year-old mother to founding and leading Brave Foundation as its inaugural CEO, to most recently being appointed its Social Economic Ambassador (SEA), Bernadette has gained a deep understanding of the issues facing our most disadvantaged youth and families. Bernadette’s appointment as SEA builds on her learnings and experience, as she leads the Social Economic Empowerment Department (SEED), advocating for our most at-risk young families.

Bernadette is a Member of the Order of Australia for her significant service to young people, communities, and local governments. Alongside her international study, she has been awarded the Australian Tasmanian of the Year and included in the top 100 Australian Financial Review’s Women of Influence for her pioneering leadership and impact with Brave. Bernadette is married to Steven, they have three children Damien, Baeleigh, and Flynn. Damien is married to Rebecca, and they have a little girl, making Bernadette Nanna BB to her first grandchild, Juliette. Bernadette lives in Hobart, Tasmania.

A Message from Bernadette

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