Mary Higgins

Mary Higgins is an emerging professional in international development, with a strong interest in inclusive policy, gender equity, and regional cooperation across the Indo-Pacific. She recently graduated from Griffith University with a double degree in Business and Psychological Science and was named the 2023 New Colombo Plan (NCP) Scholar and Fellow for Cambodia.

Raised in rural Queensland, Mary is passionate about ensuring that young people and marginalised communities are meaningfully included in shaping development and diplomacy. Her upbringing instilled in her a commitment to intersectional policy approaches and culturally grounded collaboration.

Mary has contributed to a range of programs focused on gender equality and youth empowerment across the Asia-Pacific, including with UN Women, Amnesty International, and a number of grassroots organisations. She is particularly interested in deepening Australia’s partnerships in South Asia to support inclusive and locally led development solutions.