Indigenous Leadership Summit 2025

Pre-Conference Workshop

09:00 First Nations Leadership Masterclass

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

Conference Day 1

08:45 Opening Remarks from the Chair & Acknowledgment of Country

08:50 Traditional Welcome Dance and Smoking Ceremony

09:20 OPENING WELCOME PERFORMANCE + EXCLUSIVE PRESENTATION- Melding Cultures and Bringing People Together Through Music

In this powerful opening session, Mitch Tambo, a proud Gamilaraay man and renowned Australian artist, will explore how he uses music as a bridge between cultures, blending traditional Indigenous sounds with contemporary elements to foster unity and understanding. Mitch’s unique approach celebrates Indigenous heritage while creating an inclusive space that resonates with diverse audiences. Through his work, he highlights the universal power of music to heal, connect, and bring people together, offering a vision of unity that is deeply rooted in cultural pride and shared humanity.

10:10 Transforming Australian Media By Amplifying Indigenous Stories

Tanya is a trailblazer in Australian media and a passionate advocate for Indigenous storytelling and will lead this session on the transformative power of media in shaping the narrative around Indigenous culture and experiences. As a leader at the forefront of this change, Tanya will share her journey in revolutionising Australian media by creating platforms that amplify Indigenous voices and stories, bringing them to wider audiences both nationally and globally.
She will explore the challenges and opportunities in diversifying media representation, the impact of Indigenous stories on the broader cultural landscape, and the strategies she has employed to ensure these stories are told authentically and resonate with diverse audiences.

11:00 It’s Time.....for Networking!

11:20 MORNING TEA

11:50 Building the Right Conditions for First Nations Leadership to Thrive

In this session, we will explore the essential conditions necessary for empowering First Nations leadership within organisations. This session will focus on critical elements like allyship, systemic change, and supporting self-determination.
Learn how organisations can build the right conditions for First Nations leadership to flourish, leading to stronger, more inclusive, and innovative communities.

12:40 Healing and Paving the Way for Progress: Moving Forward From the Voice

Drawing on his deep understanding of Indigenous affairs and Australia’s complex history, Stan will explore the emotional and societal impact of the Voice to Parliament referendum. He will address the challenges of fostering healing and unity in a nation grappling with its past and present. Stan will offer insights into how we can move forward collectively, emphasizing the importance of empathy, open dialogue, and a commitment to reconciliation.
This session will provide attendees with a nuanced perspective on the path to progress, highlighting the role each of us can play in building a more inclusive and harmonious future for all Australians.

13:40 Lunch

14:40 From vision to action: Driving an organisation’s next steps in the reconciliation journey

Leaders have a crucial role to play in empowering teams, driving organisational change, and sustaining momentum on the road to reconciliation. From goal setting to implementation and overcoming challenges, this session shares Adobe’s key learnings from its reconciliation journey so far.

Attendees will hear how reconciliation strategies that are grounded in an organisation’s strengths and sphere of influence, can deliver maximum impact. This includes fostering cultural understanding among employees, supporting Indigenous talent, and building genuine relationships that extend beyond token gestures.

15:30 Afternoon Tea

15:50 Blazing the Trail: How Being Female, Indigenous and LQBTIQ in Media Shaped My Career and Life

In this session, Narelda Jacobs, a trailblazer as the first gay Indigenous woman on Australian television, will share her unique experiences and insights into how her intersectional identity has shaped her career and life. Narelda will discuss the challenges and triumphs she has faced in breaking barriers in the media industry, and how her identity as a proud Indigenous and LGBTQIA+ woman has influenced her approach to storytelling and advocacy. She will explore the importance of representation in media and the powerful impact that diverse voices can have on society. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how embracing one’s full identity can enrich professional work, foster inclusivity, and drive meaningful change in the community.

Conference Day 2

09:00 Opening remarks from the chair

09:05 How Strong Leadership Drives Indigenous Outcomes

In this session, Richard will reflect on the 10th anniversary of the company’s Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), sharing insights into how strong leadership has driven its success and fostered greater Indigenous participation.
He will discuss the evolution of Veolia’s RAP, highlighting the milestones achieved over the past decade and the leadership practices that have created an inclusive workplace where Indigenous employees can thrive. Additionally, Richard will look ahead to the future, outlining Veolia’s ongoing commitment to Indigenous participation and how leadership will continue to play a pivotal role in meeting these goals.

10:00 Changing the Face of Employment at CPB

This session will concentrate on comprehensive approaches to enhancing workforce participation and the inclusion of Indigenous Australians, with a focus on advancing beyond just entry-level roles. We will explore the significance of not only recruiting Indigenous talent but also creating strong pathways for career advancement, promotion, and leadership growth.
By showcasing effective mentorship programs and leadership initiatives, the session will present practical methods for cultivating an organizational environment where Indigenous employees can excel and succeed at every level.

10:50 Morning Tea

11:10 AM: Empowering Indigenous Employees: Pathways to Leadership Success

This session will focus on the essential steps needed to foster career advancement for Indigenous employees. It will explore strategies that not only increase Indigenous workforce participation but also ensure that employees are supported throughout their career journey.
By diving into initiatives that promote leadership development and professional growth, this session will offer practical guidance on building pathways to success that empower Indigenous employees to reach their full leadership potential within organizations.

12:00 Taking Sporting Leadership and Transforming It Into Cultural Leadership

In this session, Jonathan Thurston, legendary NRL player and Indigenous role model, will share his journey of transitioning from sporting leadership to cultural leadership. Jonathan will discuss how the values, discipline, and leadership skills he honed on the field have empowered him to make a significant impact off the field, particularly in advocating for Indigenous communities. He will explore the ways in which sports can be a powerful platform for driving social change and fostering cultural pride. Attendees will gain insights into how to leverage their own leadership experiences, whether in sports or other arenas, to contribute to broader cultural and community goals. Jonathan’s story will inspire and challenge participants to think about the legacy they want to leave and how they can use their influence to support and uplift others.

12:50 LUNCH

13:50 Advancing Indigenous Careers by Carefully Measuring Success

Kmart Group doesn’t just talk about its RAP or diversity programs; it takes concrete actions to ensure their effectiveness.
In partnership with Indigenous communities and organisations right around Australia, Kmart Group’s Indigenous program comprises over 180 Deadly Stores, designed to create a culturally safe place for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. A well as a formal, dedicated Indigenous employment program which focuses on career pathways and employs thousands of Indigenous Australians in communities right around Australia .
In this session, Kmart Group’s Chief People and Capability Officer Tristram Gray reflects on the importance of these programs and why they are integral to both Kmart and Target as well as the communities they serve. Today with 5% representation, Kmart Group is one of the largest employers of Indigenous people in Australia

14:30 Purpose, Transforming, and Fostering Shared Impact

This session will delve into the power of purposeful collaboration in driving long-term, meaningful social change. The focus will be on how organisations, communities, and individuals can come together around a shared mission to create transformative, sustainable impact for the future

Post-Conference Workshop

09:00 Post-conference Workshop 1. Achieving cultural capability & competency throughout your organisation

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

13:30 Post-conference Workshop 2. Writing and developing an effective Reconciliation Action Plan

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