Darlene Olsen is a proud Bundjalung woman from northern New South Wales. She is a highly motivated and committed professional with extensive experience in facilitation, community development, and culturally informed practice across both the public and private sectors.

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Darlene specialises in First Nations facilitation, community engagement, and family dispute resolution. She is a highly regarded Family Group Conferencing practitioner, working extensively with Aboriginal families across New South Wales, and is known for her empathetic yet practical approach to problem-solving, advocacy, and support. In addition to her facilitation work, Darlene is an experienced mentor, trainer, and qualified Life Coach.

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Since 2015, Darlene has worked with Corporate Culcha as a principal cultural awareness facilitator and research and evaluation consultant, delivering a wide range of projects focused on cultural capability, community engagement, and social research. She has significant experience facilitating forums, workshops, consultations, and interviews across remote, regional, and urban communities, as well as within corporate environments with both non-Indigenous and First Nations workforces.  

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As a key member of the team that co-designed and delivered Corporate Culcha’s cultural awareness training program for the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Darlene was integral to the entire project from co-design, engagement, facilitation and reporting.

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Her ability to build trust, communicate effectively, and create safe spaces enables meaningful participation and strong outcomes across diverse audiences.  Other Corporate Culcha clients who have enjoyed contributions by Darlene include Transport for NSW, BAE Systems.

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Darlene also independently developed and delivered the Respecting the Difference package for the SouthWest Area Health Service of the NSW Department of Health, contextualising and localising the program, bring community and Elder’s voices to life within the package.   

 

Alongside her consulting work, Darlene has been delivering Family Group Conferences on behalf of the NSW Department of Communities and Justice since 2016, working predominantly with Aboriginal families. Her broader career includes roles across family support, housing, health, and community services, further strengthening her deep understanding of the systems and issues impacting First Nations communities.

Outside of her professional work, Darlene values time with her family and community, maintaining a strong connection to Country and culture.