Tanya Denning-Orman

Tanya Denning-Orman, a proud Birri and Guugu Yimidhirr woman from Central and North Queensland, is the Director, First Nations, for SBS.

Tanya leads SBS’s strategic approach to Indigenous content across all channels and platforms, including elevating National Indigenous Television (NITV) and further amplifying First Nations voices across the network. In the position, Tanya is continuing to build on SBS’s pioneering work in reflecting and exploring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stories throughout its 50-year history, while also embedding Indigenous cultural perspectives throughout the organisation, enhancing capability, supporting community engagement and partnerships, and driving the ongoing development of Indigenous staff and the employee experience.

Tanya previously led NITV for more than 12 years, from when it transitioned to join SBS and began broadcasting free-to-air in 2012, through to early 2025 when she was appointed to her current role. Earlier, Tanya became SBS’s first Director of Indigenous Content in 2020, appointed to not only continue managing NITV as a channel dedicated to Indigenous voices, overseeing its diverse and innovative multiplatform content, but to also help drive the development and delivery of First Nations storytelling across the SBS network.

With more than 30 years’ experience working in media, Tanya previously held positions as a journalist and producer for ABC and SBS, and also held a number of different roles at NITV since its inception in 2007, including as part of the team that launched the channel.

She is a champion for a strong Indigenous media and improved representation of First Nations peoples and perspectives across the wider media sector. She is currently a member of the Board for Screen Careers and the World Indigenous Broadcasters Network, and previously held Board positions with Media Diversity Australia and First Nations Media Australia. She is also a non-Executive Director on the Board of the Starlight Foundation.