Kent Matla is a First Nations entrepreneur with 25+ years corporate advisory experience across various industries. He is the Managing Director of Triangle Capital Partners, an Indigenous-owned corporate advisory firm, and Managing Partner of Triangle Equity Partners, which assists high-growth potential businesses.

Kent is also the Chairperson of the Australian Innovation Management Institute, a non-profit organisation with the deep purpose of advancing the understanding and development of innovation and innovation management in Australia.

Jahna Cedar is an Executive Director at IPS Management consultants, and a strong Indigenous community leader advocating for equal rights and reconciliation of Indigenous people. She has represented Indigenous Australia at the United Nations in New York, and has been awarded several prestigious awards, including the Telstra Business Women’s Award (WA) for Purpose and Social Enterprise Winner in 2017.

Jahna has extensive corporate experience in management and consultancy, including organisational and change management strategies, in both the not-for-profit and private sector. She currently sits on six boards and supports First Nations business creation and entrepreneurship.

Morgan Coleman is an experienced entrepreneur who has successfully founded and exited from two tech start-ups. He has been featured in numerous publications including TheNew York Times. He’s an active investor and has revitalized multiple businesses he is actively invested in. As a proud Torres Strait Islander, Morgan is passionate about Indigenous excellence and self-determination.

Through the Blak Angels initiative, he aims to connect Indigenous and non-Indigenous economies and help develop the next generation of Indigenous entrepreneurs.

Alisha Geary is a serial entrepreneur with an academic background in business law. She founded Provvy (a fintech payment platform), co-founded Thirsty Turtl (an emerging skincare brand that incorporates Australian native plants), and serves as Director of Faebella (a luxury activewear brand for women using Indigenous art).

Alisha combines her passion for Indigenous art, sustainability, and financial empowerment to make a positive impact in various industries.

Jerome Cubillo is a Larrakia and Wadjigan man from Northern Australia. He studied Politics and Development Studies at the University of Melbourne and began his career in the NGO sector, working with Aboriginal youth leaders. He also worked in the private sector and for the Northern Territory Government. In 2019, he appeared on The Amazing Race TV series with his wife, finishing 2nd overall.

Jerome now serves as the Chairperson and CEO of Larrakia Nation Aboriginal Corporation and Northern Territory Business Network, respectively, advocating for Aboriginal businesses. He believes that promoting Aboriginal-run businesses can help close the gap for First Nations peoples by creating real jobs and upskilling Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.

Amanda is a Wonnarua woman from the Koorie nation, and has over 35 years of mining experience in Australia, Africa, and Canada. She founded Maxx Engineering in 2003 and sold it in 2015. Amanda has won numerous awards, including the Indigenous in Business Award in 2014 and an MBA.

In 2014 she established Kirrikin, a social enterprise creating clothing and accessories featuring Aboriginal artwork. In 2017, she joined Warrikal, an Indigenous majority-owned mechanical services business, where she is the CEO.

Gordon Cole is an accomplished businessman who has made significant contributions to Australia’s Aboriginal and Business Community. He founded the Noongar Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Perth and has extensive experience in Business, Governance, and Directorship.

Gordon holds several qualifications, including Fellow of Leadership Western Australia, Graduate of the “Investment in Excellence Program,” and Graduate of the Indigenous Master Class Program at the Melbourne Business School. Gordon is Chairperson of the Noongar Chamber of Commerce and Industry, a Director of First Australians Capital, and a member of the National NAIDOC Committee.

A Potaruwutj Padthaway man with experience in strategy and finance across a variety of industries including Government, Management Consulting and Private Equity.

Jacob is passionate about the Aboriginal business sector and promoting opportunities within it to bridge the gap between economic and social outcomes. Building successful and rewarding relationships by advising and guiding clients in the value of diversity and the inclusion of Aboriginal-owned business and community.

Carol Vale is the CEO of Murawin Pty Ltd and a specialist inter-cultural consultant and facilitator. Carol has extensive experience in Aboriginal affairs across government and not for profit sectors, supported by formal qualifications, including a Masters of Indigenous Studies, a Bachelor of Arts, and Graduate Diploma in Public Sector Leadership. Since 2014, Carol has been integrating Indigenous perspectives into projects to improve economic and social outcomes for Indigenous Australians and build her client’s capacity to provide better services.

In 2018, Carol established the Tiddas in Business program, which provides participating Indigenous and non-Indigenous women with tools such as training, workshops, mentoring and leadership development programs to start and grow their businesses.

Darryl is a proud Maiawali man from Central Queensland and a third-generation producer. Darryl is co-founder and Chief Rainmaker of Rainstick.

Darryl is intimately connected with his cultural heritage and mob seeking genuine ways to engage in knowledge sharing activities. He is a third time founder who has built innovations in cold chain logistics, farming innovations and working with large food brands in Australia. Darryl is an active member of the start-up community, and rides motorbikes in his spare time.

Jaynaya is a Noongar/Balladong woman from Quairading, Western Australia, with experience in employment and recruitment across regional and remote areas of WA and Victoria. She is an expert networker and has identified gaps in engagement delivery.

Jaynaya is involved in various organizations, including SheEO, Blakbone Sistahood, First People Property Group, Women in Board Leadership, Leadership Victoria Diversity Mentoring, Australian Indigenous Leadership Centre, Indigenous Women in Mining and Resources, Wellah Women, and the National Indigenous Cultural Centre.

As the Head of Entrepreneurship and Indigenous Business at the Minderoo Foundation, Les facilitates investment, research, and education opportunities to strengthen the Indigenous business sector. Les has worked with the United Nations, U.S. State Department, and state governments across Australia.

Les is a former venture-backed founder and has founded two startups, leading a team from Australia, Canada, and Israel with clients from ASX listed companies to the Government. Les’ passion for Indigenous entrepreneurship has led him to work in Indigenous economic development, impact investing, and equity investments.

Rob is the Manager, First Nations Business at the Minderoo Foundation. With over 25 years of experience in public policy, strategic planning, program development, and project management, Rob has led many large public, corporate and philanthropic organizations to improve their results with Indigenous clients and communities.

Rob has held senior executive roles in government in the portfolios of Health, Education, Mines & Energy, and on non-government boards including the Queensland Theater Company and Save the Children Fund. Rob is also a passionate founder, equity investor, and advisor in various sectors including technology, mining resources, creative arts, and trade services.

Josh Devine is a Wonnarua man with business qualifications from Monash University, Indigenous Business Leadership, and the Wade Institute VC Catalyst Program.

He is currently working in the for-purpose and First Nations investing sector. Previously, Josh worked in management consulting, where he helped clients from various sectors create community-aligned strategies and improve outcomes for Indigenous businesses and communities. Josh is passionate about First Nations entrepreneurship, economic development, and creating sustainable success, and impact within the First Nations business ecosystem.