Faiza El-Higzi

Faiza's has shown a commitment to policy reform, informing efforts to address the impact of gender and culture on social equality.

Faiza has made contributions to policy reform through her involvement in government advisory bodies and non-government organization boards. As a member of the Queensland Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Council since 2015, Faiza has worked to shape the development and implementation of the Queensland Not Now Not Ever policy. Recently, she has made submissions to proposed coercive control legislative reforms and has provided expert testimony during the government's public hearing for the Informed Consent and Criminalisation of Coercive Control Bill in 2023.

In addition, Faiza has contributed to submissions to the Queensland Human Rights Act legislative reform through her membership in the Queensland Multicultural Advisory Council that sought to alleviate the burden of evidence and reporting under the Act to a more a positive duty which has been recognised and included in the reform. Furthermore, she is facilitating reform initiatives promoting diversity representation on government boards.

Within the University of Queensland (UQ), Faiza has been involved in the development and initial implementation of the institution's Cultural Inclusion Plan 2022-2025 as Deputy Chair of the Cultural Inclusion Council.

Faiza's expertise in governance and strategic organizational development has made a notable impact on governance processes of not-for-profit organizations at local, national, and international levels. Currently serving as the national Advisory Council Chair of Welcoming Cities, a global initiative aimed at creating refugee-friendly cities, Faiza has contributed to the improvement of Australian city councils' accreditation standards through a comprehensive review process.

As the Chair of the Board of Trustees of Islamic Relief Australia, an international aid and development organization, Faiza has successfully overseen a review and reform of governance processes, ensuring the organization operates efficiently and effectively within Australia’s governance guidelines.

In her role as Chair of Ethnic Broadcasting Association Queensland Ltd which broadcasts in 46 languages through radio 4eb, Faiza has played a critical role informing the strategic direction of community broadcasting through the national Community Broadcasting Road Map 2033 process.

Additionally, Faiza has contributed important insights to the review and strategic planning process of the Queensland Council of Social Services (QCOSS), the state peak body that addresses social issues. Her input shaping the organization's understanding of cultural diversity as a contributor to social inequality.