This one-day masterclass is designed specifically for Indigenous staff and future leaders to rise to greater levels of influence, responsibility, and decision-making. It will challenge your assumptions, and expand and develop your mindset, skillset and toolsets to become a more effective leader whilst navigating some of the challenges Indigenous professionals can face in the workplace.

Throughout the day, you will explore frameworks and tools, emotional intelligence, develop your unique leadership style, navigate workplace cultural challenges, learn powerful verbal and nonverbal communication skills, and exert your personal influence and build a foundation for positive influence and success.


Key Course Takeaways:
• Understand the value and importance of leadership for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

• Confidence you need to navigate your role and engage with multiple stakeholders

• Internalise leadership styles, qualities, and behaviours

• Develop strategic leadership skills that are effective & informed by both Indigenous culture & Western best practice

• Deepen cultural awareness & identity in the context of business leadership

• Take Away practical skills such as negotiating, problem-solving and above-the-line thinking

• Develop your unique, authentic leadership style

• Influence and engage with others with more impact and presence

• Deepen & broaden your worldview and ability to coordinate different perspectives

• Contribute to the development of Indigenous leaders and staff within your organisation

In a post-Voice world, the fight for Indigenous recognition and equality continues—and few have been
as relentless in this pursuit as Marcia Langton.
In this session, she reflects on the lessons learned from decades of advocacy, the challenges and
opportunities that lie ahead, and how to keep pushing forward despite setbacks. With deep insight
and unwavering commitment, Marcia shares what it takes to create lasting change and why the
conversation about Indigenous rights is far from over.

Patty Mills, an NBA champion renowned for his Indigenous advocacy, emphasizes the significance
of Indigenous representation and advocacy in sports. His unique perspective is shaped by his
experiences as the third Indigenous player for the Australian national team and a distinguished career
across three NBA teams, where he set records for the most 3-point scores and the highest number
of NBA games played by an Australian. Mills will underscore the pivotal role of sports in empowering
Indigenous communities, building resilience, and enhancing cultural pride. Sharing his path to
embracing Indigenous identity, Mills will explain the personal importance of his advocacy efforts and
their impact on his community.

From the footy field to the Gold Logies, Tony Armstrong has built a career that transcends sports,
winning over audiences with his authenticity, humour, and unwavering sense of purpose.
In this session, Tony shares how he turned the end of his AFL career into the start of something bigger,
navigating the cutthroat world of Australian sports journalism and proving himself in an industry where
opportunities are scarce. He also reflects on the projects closest to his heart, using his platform to
champion Indigenous voices and make an impact beyond the screen.

Rachelle is on a mission to change the game for Indigenous professionals. As the founder of Pipeline
Talent, Australia’s only 100% Indigenous-owned executive recruitment agency, she’s opening doors at
the highest levels of business, government, and beyond.

With her recent launch of Dreamjobz, she’s creating new ways for First Nations talent to connect with
the right opportunities—on their terms. In this keynote, Rachelle shares her journey, the barriers she’s
breaking, and why organisations need to rethink how they attract and support Indigenous leaders. It’s
time to stop talking about diversity and start driving real change.

A great CEO understands the pivotal leadership plays in amplifying promotional avenues for Indigenous staff. This session illuminates a journey of fostering organic talent, integrating cultural insights, and
instilling confidence within Indigenous professionals. By delving into real-world strategies and success stories, attendees will discover the transformative power of visionary leadership that goes beyond token
gestures. Here, you’ll understand how genuine commitment and tailored strategies can truly make the difference, setting a gold standard for inclusivity and empowerment in the corporate sphere.

Breaking into comedy is tough—but breaking in as an Indigenous comedian comes with its own unique
challenges. With her signature wit and unfiltered honesty, Steph Tisdell shares her journey into the
industry, the barriers she’s faced, and how she’s turned adversity into comedy gold.
From tackling stereotypes to finding humor in life’s darkest moments, Steph explores the power of
laughter as a tool for resilience, connection, and truth-telling.

Drawing from her rich life experiences and wisdom, Elder Edwards will guide attendees through the journey of reconciling with historical injustices faced by Indigenous communities. She will emphasize the power of healing, understanding, and mutual respect as foundations for building a brighter, more inclusive future. By sharing strategies for embracing our shared history and promoting dialogue, Elder Edwards aims to inspire a collective effort towards forging paths of unity and progress, showcasing how peace with the past paves the way for a harmonious and empowered future for all Indigenous peoples.

As CEO of Essential Energy, John Cleland understands that true leadership means creating meaningful opportunities for Indigenous employees to grow and thrive. In this session, he will share how Essential Energy is fostering Indigenous talent through targeted career pathways, cultural integration, and leadership development. With real-world examples, John will explore how businesses can move beyond symbolic gestures to implement genuine, lasting change—from mentoring and sponsorship to building an inclusive culture where Indigenous professionals feel valued and empowered. Attendees will gain practical insights on how leadership can drive real progress, ensuring that Indigenous representation is not just encouraged but actively championed at every level of an organisation.

Deanella is a woman on a mission. That mission is to rollout cutting edge cultural intelligence across EY to create systemic change. She’s been at it for 6 years and is still on the learning journey. In this session, Dee will discuss how she has gone about creating an internal, systematic approach to ensuring inclusive harmony between First Nations staff and the wider organisation. This is a practical session – the journey is far from over. Dee will discuss what has worked so far, what hasn’t and what is left to be done, including the balancing of priorities, managing expectations, theoretical Vs experiential approaches. Approaches to overcoming gaps and consultation and doing the work to create truly safe spaces.

Few figures in Australian sport command the same level of respect and admiration as Mal Meninga. A
rugby league great turned leadership mentor, Mal has spent his career proving that true leadership isn’t
just about skill on the field—it’s about vision, resilience, and guiding others to greatness.
As both a player and a coach, Mal has built a legacy of excellence by fostering teamwork,
accountability, and a strong leadership culture. He knows that success isn’t just about individual
talent—it’s about building people up, instilling confidence, and creating a sense of purpose that extends
beyond the game.
In this exclusive keynote, Mal will share his personal leadership philosophy, the lessons sport has
taught him about resilience and accountability, and how these values translate to leadership in any
sector. Whether you’re leading a team, an organisation, or a community, Mal’s insights will inspire you
to lead with integrity, build a winning mindset, and create opportunities for Indigenous leadership at
every level.

This session explores transformative strategies for uplifting First Nations employees in MercyCare from the viewpoints of both the CEO and the Head of Aboriginal Pathways. Attendees will gain insights into actionable strategies that emphasise a holistic approach, honouring traditional knowledge and values.

Recognising the pivotal role of the corporate sector in advancing recognition and equality for First Nations communities, the discussion aims to foster inclusive workplaces, recognise Aboriginal talent, and create symbiotic relationships driving business innovation and social progress.

As a proud Kaurareg Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, Thomas personifies the ethos of advocacy
and empowerment, dedicated to navigating Indigenous leadership beyond the challenge of losing the
Voice to Parliament. Thomas invites you to join him in this pivotal conversation, where he will articulate
his vision for unity, strategic planning, and grassroots empowerment.
In this illuminative discussion Thomas will share his vision towards a future where Indigenous
leadership not only commands respect but also plays a pivotal role in shaping our shared destiny.

In this key session, Assoc. Professor Rick Macourt addresses the need for a paradigm shift towards
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander self-determined economic development and the Indigenisation
and decolonisation of systems of enterprise and government. Using a case study and story-telling
methodology, Assoc. Professor Macourt will advocate for a prioritisation of First Nations-led
governance in education, business and government, leveraging First Nations knowledges, protocols
and ways of conducting business to drive sustainable growth and economic prosperity. Through
collective action and empowerment, he envisions a future where First Nations communities thrive,
driving positive change and impact for generations to come.

Michael shares his inspirational journey overcoming prejudice to establish an Aboriginal-owned profit-
for-purpose company. From navigating systemic hurdles to championing Indigenous entrepreneurship,

Michael offers valuable insights on resilience and leadership. Attendees will gain strategies for
breaking barriers, fostering inclusion, and driving social impact in Indigenous communities.
Don’t miss this transformative discussion on overcoming adversity and reclaiming leadership in the
face of prejudice.

The economic participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples provides a real path to
reconciliation – and also allows the strengthening of ethical behaviour whilst working more effectively
with Indigenous communities.
This half-day workshop will give organisations and individuals the skills to strengthen ethical behaviour
by developing an understanding of obligations and responsibilities to Land and to each other - as
Aboriginal people have practised for thousands of years. You will build your cultural capability to
work effectively with members of the Aboriginal community and lead Aboriginal staff with greater
impact and empathy. Most importantly,you will improve retention of Aboriginal staff, make sure your
employers, supervisors, and workplaces understand Aboriginal experience and what they can do to
make Aboriginal employment work.

Key Benefits of Attending:
• Gain knowledge and awareness of cultural identity in relation to colleagues, clients,
customers, suppliers and the wider community
• Appreciate the different behavioural styles of people from different cultures
• Understand the type of languages (written and spoken) that is generated in a particular field
and the cultural assumptions and underpinning language
• Gain a greater attitude of tolerance towards differences
• Upskill your ability to work more harmoniously
• Appreciate Aboriginal approaches to teaching and more effectively with others learning
• Put advice and information into appropriate language for the receiver

Reconciliation Action Plans make a massive difference across all sectors in Australian workplaces. RAPs are a powerful tool for advancing reconciliation in Australia. RAP frameworks assist organisations to foster relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, communities, organisations, and the broader Australian community, all the while embedding respect for the world’s longest surviving culture. By developing a nationally recognised, tried and tested model for workplaces to formalisecommitments to reconciliation, RAPs help to foster a community of shared value, goals and a common language when it comes to reconciliation. This half day workshop is for organisations at any stage of RAP development, implementation or refinement. It will cover initial development of ideas, activities or programs which align with your particular business or brand and work to support Indigenous communities and people. It will provide advice on all aspects of RAP development around the three pillars of Respect, Relationships and Opportunities including Indigenous employment, recruitment and retention, cultural protocols, developing partnerships and sponsorships, establishing networks and engaging with Indigenous communities in your organisation’s region and more broadly.

Key Learning Outcomes:

• Implement a tried and tested framework that is proven to drive reconciliation through
practical actions
• Turn your organisation’s good intentions into action by formalising your organisation’s
commitment to reconciliation
• Reaffirm institutional integrity by embedding an engaging framework contributingtowards
good governance practices
• Join a dynamic, supportive and fast growing network of RAP organisations
• Gain greater esteem as an employer of choice and build a more dynamic and diverse
workforce
• Enable your staff to develop greater cultural awareness and professional development
practices that will strengthen relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
stakeholders
• Ensure more effective and relevant service delivery to Aboriginal and Torres StraitIslander
peoples and communities