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

Join Stan Grant, acclaimed journalist, author, and advocate, as he explores the path to healing and progress in the aftermath of the Voice referendum. Drawing from his extensive experience and deep understanding of Indigenous issues, Stan will offer insights on reconciling past wounds, fostering unity, and creating a future where Indigenous voices are heard and respected. This session promises to be a powerful and inspiring discussion on how we can collectively move forward and build a more inclusive and equitable society.

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.

This session delves deep into the transformative paths corporate Australia can traverse to uplift its First Nations employees. Exploring actionable strategies, from tailored mentorship to cultural sensitivity training, the discussion emphasises a holistic approach that acknowledges traditional knowledge and values. As First Nations communities strive for recognition and equality, the corporate sector plays
an instrumental role.

Attendees will gain insights into fostering inclusive workplaces, recognising Indigenous talent, and creating symbiotic relationships that drive both business innovation and social progress.

Sarah emphasizes the indispensable role of leadership in enhancing career opportunities for Indigenous employees. This session will share insights into nurturing inherent talent, incorporating cultural understanding, and boosting the confidence of Indigenous professionals. Attendees will learn through practical strategies, taken from Sarah’s personal experience at Accor, how effective leadership
can transcend superficial measures. The focus will be on the impact of sincere dedication and customised approaches in setting an exemplary benchmark for inclusivity and empowerment in the corporate world, demonstrating the profound influence of visionary leadership in realising Indigenous potential.

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.

Join Andrew as he shares pioneering methods for cultivating meaningful connections with First Nations employees. Discover innovative approaches that bridge cultural divides, foster trust, and nurture talent. Andrew's insights will inspire leaders to embrace diversity, drive inclusion, and amplify Indigenous voices within their organisations. Don't miss this opportunity to revolutionise your approach to Indigenous engagement.

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.

This session will spotlight Fortescue’s dedicated efforts to champion equity, diversity, and inclusion within the company, with a significant emphasis on the empowerment and progression of Aboriginal employees. Rosli will delve into the triumphs of pivotal programs such as the Vocational Training and Employment Centre (VTEC) and Leadership & Excellence in Aboriginal People (LEAP), highlighting their roles in driving the success of Aboriginal employment and development initiatives.

Additionally, he will explore the critical contributions of senior leaders and executives at Fortescue, whose active engagement and leadership have been crucial in realizing the company’s goals for Aboriginal employment rates and the overall success of their development programs, underscoring a comprehensive and committed approach to inclusivity and advancement in the workforce.

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.

Leah Purcell’s has shaped her exceptional career by pushing for the representation of Indigenous stories on screen. Finding the material lacking, Leah will discuss her quest for complex characters led her to write and breathe life into “The Drover’s Wife.” Leah will explore the significance of Indigenous storytelling, its impact on mainstream media, and the personal motivations behind her work. Attendees will gain insight into the challenges and triumphs of conveying authentic Indigenous narratives, highlighting Purcell’s pivotal role in reshaping the landscape of Australian cinema and theatre with her innovative and culturally profound contributions.

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.

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.

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.

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