
Ari Soemardi
Property & Infrastructure Partner
Hunterboorn
Ari Soemardi is a values‑driven executive leader with a career grounded in community impact. Beginning her career in North Queensland as a commercial property lawyer, she developed strong capability in navigating complex systems and delivering high quality development projects.
She later held senior roles in the construction and infrastructure sector, leading compliance, risk, and operations for major firms. Her work with Noel Pearson at Cape York Partnerships deepened her connection to First Nations communities and strengthened her belief in community-led development.
That belief guided her move into the non-profit sector, where she led corporate services at The Buttery, a drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre supporting thousands of Australians facing mental health and substance use challenges.
Ari has since co-founded Hunter Boorn to combine her commercial expertise with her passion for social equity. Hunter Boorn partners with community-controlled organisations, NGOs, and purpose driven public and private sector clients to deliver property and infrastructure projects that are culturally informed, practical, and focused on improving social and economic outcomes.
Ari is known for her strategic clarity, hands-on leadership, and ability to build values‑aligned solutions that faithfully interpret the client’s cultural vision and achieve meaningful results.
Qualifications: Master of Leadership | Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Laws | Advanced Diploma WHS | Certificate of Admission, Supreme Court of Queensland | Queensland Justice of the Peace (Qualified) | GAICD.
Sessions
Day 2
12:00
Panel: Can there be culturally appropriate and affordable city dwellings
Is there a desire for distinct Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander communities?
Dismantling the racist ideologies in renting
Would an increase in culturally safe developments help to reduce Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from homelessness?
Christine Thyer, Co-Conveyor, SACCON & Chief Executive Officer, South Australian Aboriginal Education and Training Consultative Council
Ari Soemardi, Property & Infrastructure Partner, Hunterboorn
