More than a founder.
A connector, advocate and leader.
Some people build businesses.
Others build movements.
Libby Cook-Black has spent her life creating spaces where people feel they belong.
A proud Zenadth Kes woman with family linage to Erub Island in the East of the Torres Straits, proud Irish connection and kinship ties to Butchella Country, K’gari and Hervey Bay, Libby’s work is grounded in culture, connection and community. Every conversation she leads, every initiative she creates and every partnership she builds begins with the same belief:
People thrive when they feel seen, heard and connected.
That belief has shaped every chapter of her journey, from elite sport to community leadership, from advocacy to entrepreneurship, and now through the growing ecosystem of initiatives that sit under the by Libby brand.
A life built on connection
Connection.
Curiosity.
Community.
People.
Connection. Curiosity. Community. People.
Libby has never believed leadership is about standing in front.
She believes it’s about walking beside people.
Throughout her career she has worked across sport, health, education, business and community development, creating opportunities that genuinely improve outcomes for women, families, young people and First Nations communities.
Her approach isn’t driven by titles or recognition.
It’s driven by relationships.
By listening first.
By understanding different perspectives.
By creating environments where people feel emotionally safe enough to have honest conversations and courageous enough to grow.
Whether she’s speaking on stage, mentoring emerging leaders, facilitating community conversations or developing strategic partnerships, Libby brings the same values into every room:
Connection before outcome.
Curiosity before judgement.
Community before ego.
People before process.
These principles have become the foundation of everything she creates.
Female First
Female First was born from a simple but powerful observation.
Women spend so much of their lives caring for everyone else that they often forget how to care for themselves.
Not because they don’t know how.
Because life rarely gives them permission.
Female First exists to change that.
It is a community built around meaningful conversations, genuine relationships and practical support, creating space for women to reconnect with themselves while walking alongside others doing the same.
It isn’t about becoming someone different.
It’s about remembering who you’ve always been.
Through events, education, community experiences and mentoring, Female First creates opportunities for women to grow personally and professionally while never losing sight of the importance of belonging.
Because real empowerment isn’t something that’s performed.
It’s something that’s experienced together.
Building an ecosystem for impact
Female First is one part of a much bigger vision.
The by Libby platform brings together Libby’s work across speaking, leadership, storytelling, education, community development and strategic partnerships.
Through the by Libby Podcast, she shares thoughtful conversations, practical insights and honest reflections designed to help people lead with greater confidence, clarity and connection.
Through keynote speaking and facilitation, she works with organisations, communities and leadership teams to explore topics including:
Women’s leadership
Community development
Emotional wellbeing
Authentic leadership
Culture and belonging
First Nations engagement
Personal growth
Collaboration and partnership
Her work also extends into business collaborations, philanthropy and projects that create meaningful social impact, bringing people together across industries to solve complex challenges through genuine relationships.
Every initiative is connected by the same purpose:
Building stronger communities through connection, shared experience and a deeper understanding of one another.
A sporting legacy that continues to influence her leadership
Image Credit: Arthur Beetson Foundation Future Immortals Tour Mareeba 2026
Before becoming an entrepreneur and community leader, Libby represented Australia and Queensland at the highest levels of rugby league.
Elite sport taught her resilience.
Community taught her perspective.
Together they shaped the leader she is today.
Her sporting career continues to influence the way she approaches leadership, placing equal importance on teamwork, accountability, trust and creating environments where everyone has an opportunity to contribute.
The lessons learned on the field remain deeply woven into the work she does today.
Leadership grounded in culture
Culture is not something Libby speaks about.
It’s something she lives.
As a proud Zenadth Kes woman, her work honours the knowledge, strength and wisdom that comes from community, family and Country.
She believes the strongest organisations, communities and leaders are those willing to listen, learn and walk alongside one another.
Rather than viewing culture as a separate conversation, Libby weaves cultural understanding into leadership, education and community development in ways that invite everyone into the conversation.
Her work creates bridges.
Not barriers.
Experience & Recognition
Throughout her career, Libby has proudly represented her communities through leadership, education and sport, including:
Founder of Female First
Founder of The Female Co.
Indigenous Marathon Foundation Graduate #106
Former Australian Jillaroos Women’s Rugby League Representative
Former Queensland Maroons Representative
Australian Indigenous Education Foundation (AIEF) Alumni
Former Indigenous All Stars Representative
These achievements represent milestones along the journey, but they are not what defines her.
The greatest measure of success has always been the people she has walked alongside.
Looking forward
The vision for by Libby continues to grow.
Through Female First, speaking, community initiatives, strategic partnerships, storytelling and future ventures, Libby is building an ecosystem designed to create lasting impact, not just for today, but for generations to come.
Because meaningful change doesn’t happen through one conversation.
It happens through communities of people willing to show up for one another.
And that’s exactly what Libby continues to build.