Indigenous Leadership Summit Melbourne 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

09:00 Opening Remarks from the Chair & Acknowledgment of Country

09:10 Traditional Welcome to Country

09:20 Welcome Dance and Smoking Ceremony

09:40 Leading with Purpose: A Journey of Culture, Courage and Change

Jody Broun’s leadership journey is one of deep purpose, resilience, and unwavering commitment to community. As CEO of the National Indigenous Australians Agency, she brings decades of experience
advocating for First Nations people at every level—from grassroots initiatives to government policy. In this powerful session, Jody will reflect on her personal story: the barriers she’s faced as a proud
Yindjibarndi woman navigating leadership spaces, the pivotal moments that shaped her path, and the triumphs that have come through persistence, cultural strength, and staying true to who she is. Her story is not just one of achievement, but a call to future leaders to lead with integrity, courage, and a clear vision for change.

Nikki is driving change by embedding Indigenous engagement at the heart of major infrastructure projects. In this session, Nikki shares her journey in social and Indigenous procurement, highlighting the power of purposeful partnerships, the importance of cultural safety in industry, and the impact of opening doors for Aboriginal businesses and job seekers. With a focus on long-term outcomes and meaningful inclusion, Nikki will explore how corporate leadership can move beyond compliance to create genuine, sustainable opportunities for Indigenous communities.

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.

13:20 Lunch

14:20 Changing the Game: The Power of Indigenous Talent and Leadership

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.

15:10 The Crucial Role Leadership Place in Elevating Indigenous Potential

A great Leader understands the pivotal role they play 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.

16:00 Afternoon Tea

16:20 Laughing Through Barriers: Steph Tisdell on Comedy, Identity, and Finding Humor in Dark Times

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.

17:00 End of Day One and Start of Networking Drinks

Conference Day 2

09:00 Opening remarks from the chair

09:05 The Ongoing Fight for Indigenous Recognition and Equality

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.

10:05 Integrating Indigenous Perspectives: Leadership in Corporate Reconciliation

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

11:20 AM Embedding Indigenous Perspectives in Leadership and Education

As Pro Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous) at Macquarie University, Sam Ricketts is leading the charge to embed Indigenous knowledge, values, and voices across education and leadership. In this session, Sam will share how culturally grounded leadership can shift systems, empower communities, and reshape institutions from within. Drawing on his experience in higher education, he’ll explore the importance of creating space for Indigenous ways of knowing and doing—and why true inclusion starts at the top.

12:10 Lessons in Leadership: Navigating Business as a Female Indigenous Entrepreneur

Kristy Dickinson, founder of the bold and culturally iconic Haus of Dizzy, shares her journey of building a business that champions identity, creativity, and purpose. As a proud Indigenous woman and entrepreneur, Kristy offers an honest look at the hurdles she’s faced—from securing funding to pushing back against a market that often overlooks Indigenous voices. Through it all, she’s turned challenges into a platform for cultural celebration and empowerment. This session is a powerful reflection on resilience, leadership, and the importance of staying true to who you are in business.

13:00 Lunch

13:50 Walking Between Two Worlds: Leading Change from the Inside

Rikki Cooper, proud Nari Nari & Wiradjuri woman and National Indigenous Engagement Manager at BGIS, has
spent her career creating meaningful pathways for Indigenous participation within corporate Australia. In this insightful session, Rikki shares her leadership journey—one shaped by cultural pride, lived experience, and a determination to drive structural change from within. From building safe, inclusive workplaces to developing partnerships that elevate Indigenous voices, Rikki speaks candidly about the challenges of walking between two worlds and the power of staying grounded in culture while pushing for progress. Her story is one of resilience, authenticity, and the impact of leading with purpose.

14:30 From the Footy Field to Leadership: Strength, Integrity, and Building a Winning Culture

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,

Rebecca Bateman, a proud Weilwan and Gamilaroi woman, never set out to become a leader—but in her drive to make a difference, leadership found her. Now Indigenous Engagement Manager at
the National Library of Australia, Rebecca reflects on the lessons learned along the way—navigating complex institutions, championing Indigenous data sovereignty, and advocating for cultural
accountability across the GLAM sector.
Having been inspired by the powerful stories shared at the 2023 Summit, Rebecca now shares her own journey—honestly, humbly, and with the hope that her experiences might do the same for others.

Post-Conference Workshop

09:00 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 contributing towards
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 Strait Islander peoples and communities

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