Tenisha Lawerence
Manager Aboriginal Strategy Team
Homes NSW
A proud Aboriginal woman of KuKu Yalanji and Woppaburra descent, Tenisha brings deep cultural knowledge, strategic insight, and lived experience to her work—having grown up in public housing herself. This personal connection drives her commitment to shaping a fairer, more responsive housing system for future generations.
Over her career with the Department of Communities and Justice, Tenisha has held diverse roles across Housing Statewide Services, Transforming Aboriginal Outcomes, and frontline housing services. These experiences have equipped her with strong capabilities in community engagement, relationship building, and navigating complex systems across government and non-government sectors.
Tenisha is known as a proactive and values-led leader who champions culturally informed approaches, collaborative problem-solving, and meaningful engagement with Aboriginal communities. She brings integrity, reliability, and a strong sense of purpose to every space she works in, leading with heart, cultural strength, and a commitment to positive change.
Sessions
Day 2
1:40
Panel: What policies are needed for housing growth & homelessness reduction?
What polices need to be put in place to continue to clear the backlog & continue the steady flow of land transfer
A collaborative session on creating a new "Housing Constitution" that views a house as more than just a roof
The role of long-term funding, land access, & community-controlled housing providers in creating stable pathways out of homelessness
Shane Todd, Director, ACHIA NSW
Marie Mitchell, Director of Community Justice Program, Victorian Aboriginal Legal Services
Michael Lennon, Interim Chief Executive Officer, Housing Choices Australia
Shaz McCullough, Statewide Program Manager, Aboriginal Housing Office
Tenisha Lawerence, Manager Aboriginal Strategy Team, Homes NSW
Megan Moskos, Associate Professor, Adelaide University