Supply Nation has announced the finalists in the annual Supplier Diversity Awards for 2024.
Elephant in the Room Consulting, LassWho and Munda Wines are the finalists for the Austrade-sponsored Indigenous Exporter of the Year category.
The Awards honour and recognise businesses, government agencies, not-for-profit organisations and individuals making a significant contribution to supplier diversity, and excellence in driving a prosperous and vibrant Indigenous business sector.
Award winners will be announced at a Gala Dinner as part of Connect 2024 on 29 August.
Connect is Australia’s largest tradeshow for First Nations businesses and has been held annually since 2009. This year, it will take place in Meanjin (Brisbane) on the lands of the Turrbal and Jagera peoples at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre on 28-29 August 2024.
Indigenous Exporter of the Year finalists
Austrade is a longtime partner of Supply Nation, the non-profit organisation that supports the growth of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander business sector through the promotion of supplier diversity. Supply Nation’s Indigenous Business Directory (IBO) lists over 5000 verified Indigenous Businesses.
The following are the three nominees for Indigenous Exporter of the Year.
Elephant in the Room Consulting
Elephant in the Room Consulting is a wholly owned Indigenous business providing management consulting, mentoring and coaching. The company has business clients in Australia, Europe, Southeast Asia, Canada, and the United States. Founded by Jenni Walke, a proud Bundjalung woman and based in Brisbane, specialises in realigning organisational culture and process, teamwork, and leadership development.
LassWho
LassWho is a new digital platform that connects fans with their heroes and inspirational people for live video-chats. Founder and CEO, Dean Morrison, began this journey during COVID-19 lockdowns in 2021, by organising calls with sports stars from around the world. The success of these experiences ignited the development of , who now offer similar experiences to sports fans around the world. Heroes that are available on the platform come from over 20+ markets internationally.
Munda Wines
Munda Wines is a majority Indigenous-owned label of premium wines exporting to markets including the United States, Canada and Malaysia. Munda is the ‘‘ word for land. The company’s philosophy is to express the munda of select Aboriginal countries. is led by Wirangu and Kokatha man Pauly Vandenbergh, alongside Damien Smith. The two are producing deliberate and considered wines with munda always at the forefront.
Austrade will provide the Indigenous Exporter of the Year with dedicated trade advisory and promotional support, with a focus on Southeast Asia markets.
Honouring the contribution of First Nations businesses
First Nations businesses make a significant economic contribution to communities and the Australian economy, explains Xavier Simonet, Austrade’s CEO.
‘Austrade is implementing programs to assist First Nations businesses to grow exports and successfully go global. This involves helping those businesses access new markets. I applaud Indigenous businesses for their achievements throughout the year,’ he says.
Over 2,000 participants are expected to attend the Connect 2024 Knowledge Forum, Indigenous Business Tradeshow and Gala Awards Dinner. Austrade will host a stand at the Indigenous Business Tradeshow to promote our support and services, including the .
Supply Nation’s Chief Executive Officer, Kate Russell, says this year’s Connect 2024 promises to be bigger and better than ever. Along with showcasing Indigenous businesses, we will welcome a significant international delegation representing First Nations businesses and commercial organisations from the United States, Canada and New Zealand.
‘Austrade is a key partner for us in assisting the expansion of Indigenous businesses into international markets. Demand is growing not only for the quality products and services but also a recognition of the values and commitment to sustainability that our businesses represent,’ says Ms Russell
‘The Supplier Diversity Awards are a way to support and recognise excellence among businesses that are committed to diversified procurement policies and the benefits of working with Indigenous businesses.
‘Importantly, it’s also about honouring our First Nations businesses and entrepreneurs that are making a real difference to their communities, local employment, and the Australian economy,’ she says.
