Elephant in the Room Consulting was named 2024 Indigenous Exporter of the Year at Supply Nation’s Connect24 Supplier Diversity Awards. The awards were held in Meanjin, Brisbane, on 29 August.
The Indigenous-owned and run consulting firm works with businesses and leaders from Australia, Europe, Southeast Asia, Canada and the US. Elephant in the Room Consulting offers professional services including leadership development, business and First Nations strategy, coaching and facilitation.
Founder Jenni Walke, a proud Bundjalung woman based in Brisbane, accepted the award. The Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade) sponsors the Indigenous Exporter of the Year award.
‘We have had an export model from the day we started our company in 2017,’ says Walke. ‘We know that’s where we get scale and growth. To be recognised for the work we have done is phenomenal.’
Elephant in the Room Consulting is named 2024 Indigenous Exporter of the Year at the Connect 24 Supply Nation Supplier Diversity Awards.
First Nations business knowledge and culture valued globally
Connect is Australia’s largest trade event for First Nations businesses. It has been held annually since 2009. The awards bring together First Nations business owners and corporate and government representatives to celebrate a prosperous, vibrant and sustainable Indigenous business sector.
The Indigenous Exporter of the Year category was presented by Sam Palmer, Austrade’s General Manager for Visitor Economy and Client Programs Division. This award recognises a First Nations business that is successfully operating within the export market and can demonstrate potential for future export growth.
Palmer congratulated Elephant in a Room Consulting on its success building the knowledge and capability of businesses not only in Australia but in markets overseas.
Walke encourages other First Nations businesses to look for opportunities to take their products and services global. She says her success shows First Nations knowledge and wisdom is valued globally now more than ever.
Walke advises other First Nations businesses to: ‘look to what you can do globally, find ways to share your knowledge or your product. Globally there’s more opportunity than you can imagine.’
‘First Nations peoples are our first traders,’ says Palmer. ‘They make significant contributions to their communities and the broader Australian economy. Austrade provides resources and advice to support First Nations businesses at all stages of their export journey.’
Partnering for global success
Austrade is a longtime partner of Supply Nation. The non-profit organisation supports the growth of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander business sector by promoting supplier diversity. Supply Nation's Indigenous Business Directory (IBO) lists over 5,000 verified Indigenous businesses.
Supply Nation’s Chief Executive Officer, Kate Russell, says export is essential to First Nations businesses as it offer a chance to grow, earn and employ more.
‘Austrade and Supply Nation’s partnership is important to ensure culturally appropriate support for Indigenous businesses who inspire to work internationally,’ she says.
‘Demand is growing not only for quality products and services but also a recognition of the values and commitment to sustainability that our businesses represent.’
The shortlisted contenders in the 2024 Indigenous Exporter of the Year category were:
- Munda Wines, an Indigenous-owned label of premium wines exporting to markets including the US, Canada and Malaysia
- LassWho, a global digital platform (website and app) connecting people and organisations with inspirational leaders for live virtual events.
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