NAIDOC Week 2018: Because of her, we can!

In celebration of NAIDOC week, the AICD has profiled five Indigenous women to spotlight their role trailblazing across sectors and in the governance community.

What does the NAIDOC week theme mean to you?”

“A woman who has inspired me…”

Shelley Reys

Shelley is the CEO of Arrilla Indigenous Consulting and a Partner of KPMG. Arrilla provides cultural competency training for organisations looking to work with Indigenous people and in support of Indigenous projects. Since forming Arrilla 24 years ago, Shelley has developed extensive experience and knowledge in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander reconciliation landscape.

Shelley was also the inaugural Co-Chair of Reconciliation Australia, Vice Chairman of the National Australia Day Council, Chairman of the National Centre for Indigenous Excellence, was awarded the Order of Australia for her work in the Indigenous arena and was named one of the Australian Financial Review’s ‘100 Women of Influence’.

Leah Armstrong

Leah is the Director of the Wollotuka Institute at the University of Newcastle. The Wollotuka Institute demonstrates the University’s commitment to collaboration with Indigenous communities and serves four main functions including education, research and Indigenous student and staff support.

Leah holds several Board positions including Chairperson of Supply Nation, Board member of The Smith Family, Board member of Foundation for Young Australians, Member of CSIRO Indigenous Advisory Council, Director of First Australians Capital and Director of Indigenous Business Australia Asset Management. She held previous positions as member of Prime Minister’s Indigenous Advisory Council, Chairperson of Aboriginal Housing Office NSW, Board member Indigenous Business Australia, Jobs Australia Foundation and Chair of Indigenous Business Policy Advisory Group.

In 2009, the Australian Financial Review Boss Magazine recognised her as a ‘True Leader’ and in 2012, Leah was recognised in the inaugural 2012 Australian Financial Review and Westpac 100 Influential Women Awards.

Tanya Orman

Tanya has led NITV as Channel Manager since its merger with SBS in 2012. With over a decade of media experience, Tanya directs the overall management and programming of NITV, which through diverse and innovative multiplatform content, welcomes all Australians to celebrate Indigenous culture, voices and storytelling.

Tanya is Chair of MediaRING, a group dedicated to developing, providing and enhancing career opportunities for Indigenous Australians in media. Prior to 2012, Tanya worked as a Journalist and Producer for ABC and SBS.

Natalie Walker

As Supply Nation’s (formerly the Australian Minority Supplier Diversity Council) first CEO, Natalie led the national entity designed to assist large companies connect with small to medium size Indigenous Australian owned businesses. In her tenure, the company helped indigenous suppliers to win $48m in contracts. She is also the founder and managing director of Inside Policy, the boutique consultancy specialising in multidisciplinary solutions to social policy challenges.

Natalie is also a non-Executive Director of Life without Barriers, Evolve Housing, and Telstra Foundation Board, non-Executive Chairman of Evolve FM and the Chair of the Cape York Girl Academy.

Nareen Young

Nareen is currently Industry Professor (Indigenous Workforce Diversity) at Jumbunna Institute for Indigenous Education and Research. She previously managed two diversity peak bodies for over 15 years.

Nareen was CEO of Diversity Council Australia (DCA) from 2007 to 2014 and prior to this appointment was the Director of the NSW Working Women's Centre from 1998-2005. Nareen also was Executive Director and Employment Lead at PwC’s Indigenous Consulting from 2014-2017.

Nareen has received numerous awards and acknowledgements for her work, including the inaugural 100 Women of Influence honour for diversity.