Karen owns and operates Karen Milward Consultancy Services (since 2005) and has extensive consulting experience and networks across Australia within all levels of government and with Indigenous communities and organisations on a broad range of initiatives - especially those targeting Indigenous communities. Karen has held senior policy and program management positions in Government and has been involved in Aboriginal Affairs all of her life and consulting in Aboriginal affairs for 20 years. Karen is a Yorta Yorta woman who was born and raised in Melbourne. Karen is a strong advocate for developing culturally appropriate solutions to the issues confronting Indigenous people that empower individuals and communities so they can confidently and effectively move forward. Karen Milward has extensive experience in social research, with expertise in issues concerning Aboriginal communities and organisations, early intervention and prevention, children and young people, health, housing, drug and alcohol, family violence, native title, education, training and employment, cultural heritage, social justice, and Aboriginal cultural competence and responsiveness to government and mainstream services. She has worked in various areas of Aboriginal Affairs specializing in community development through education, employment and economic development.

Karen has worked with 35 Aboriginal communities and their organisations in Victoria and with over 100 Aboriginal communities and their organisations nationally across all issues relevant to Indigenous communities in Australia.. 

Karen's current official positions include: Chairperson of the Indigenous Leadership Network Victoria Chairperson of the Mullum Mullum Indigenous Gathering Place in Ringwood East Chairperson - Boorndawan Willam Healing Service - Eastern Metropolitan Region Chairperson - Kinaway - Victorian Aboriginal Chamber of Commerce Director - Indigenous Community Volunteers (ICV) Member - Premier's Aboriginal Advisory Council When Karen is not travelling the country doing her consultancy work she volunteers her time to further advancing the work and activities of the Aboriginal community organisations that she currently represents in Melbourne. Karen lives in Melbourne with her husband Steve and three children.