Speakers

Laurie Acreman, Director, QCS Consulting

After 30+ years at ExxonMobil, Laurie is now a consultant in Business Improvement and Strategic Sourcing. He has enjoyed a broad career in engineering, operations, and procurement. After 18 years outside Australia, in places as diverse as PNG, Houston and Washington DC, Laurie and his wife, Jeanette, now live in Brisbane.

Laurie is passionate about supplier diversity. While in the US for ExxonMobil Global Procurement, his duties included executive responsibility for supplier diversity initiatives. He has considerable experience advocating for, and advising to, minority-owned businesses.

Laurie has served on the International Committee of the US National Minority Supplier Development Council and on the Board of the US Women’s Business Enterprise National Council. He is looking to stay engaged in similar advocacy programs, including AIMSC.

Adrian Aggett, Head of Procurement Head for Australia and New Zealand, Citi Australia

As a member of the Citi Regional Procurement leadership team he oversees an annual spend in excess of $1billion USD per annum across multiple countries. Prior to joining Citi, he spent 15 years leading successful strategic sourcing operations across the government, retail, and financial sectors.

Unlike many procurement leaders, Adrian’s path to strategic sourcing came via a slightly unusual path. Prior to entering the private sector he had over 20 years experience in the NSW Government in a number of housing and social planning agencies, where for example, he helped establish a number of ground breaking joint venture government and community housing programs.

At Citi , in combination with other senior executives, Adrian has been a strong advocate of the goals and objectives of AIMSC and in 2010 received an award from AIMSC reflecting his contribution to the success of the organisation and Indigenous businesses operating under the Council.

Laura Berry, Manager, Community Partnerships & Reconciliation, Qantas Airways

Laura Berry joined Qantas Airways in February 2011 as Manager of Community Partnerships & Reconciliation. Laura is responsible for setting and driving the strategic framework for the Qantas Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) and managing Qantas Community Partnerships which include key strategic Indigenous and non-Indigenous community partnerships and sponsorships.

Laura’s responsibilities also include promoting and enhancing Qantas’ connection with Indigenous communities nationally and building and maintaining strong working relationships with relevant government, business, and community organisations. Prior to joining Qantas, Laura worked for Leighton Holdings Limited in the role of Manager, Indigenous Affairs & Community Investment, where she implemented the Group-wide Indigenous Participation Policy and managed long-term community partnerships with organisations such as the University of NSW, Sydney Symphony, Landcare Australia and Primary Science Matters as well as managing the Leighton Workplace Giving and charitable donations programs.

Laura proudly identifies with her Aboriginal and Italian heritage and was born and raised in Canberra. Laura is a Director of Engineering Aid Australia and Career Trackers.

Scott Carpendale, Director of Supplier Management & Procurement, Boeing Defence Australia

Scott Carpendale was appointed Boeing Defence Australia’s director of supplier management and procurement in February 2010. In this role, Carpendale is responsible for increasing supply chain effectiveness by collaborating with customers and forming strategic supplier partnerships with a strong emphasis on program execution and supply chain management.

Prior to this, Carpendale was senior manager subcontracts and teaming for Boeing Defence Australia’s Global Services & Support - Australia (GS&S-AU) division. He commenced this position after completing an expatriate assignment based in St Louis, Missouri, for the Strategic Customer and Government Relationships team from 2007-09.

Carpendale has held a variety of other senior business management roles within Boeing Defence Australia including aerospace support business manager, military aerospace support business manager and acting GS&S-AU business manager, during which time he was responsible for the overall business and commercial management of the division’s existing business and commercial support of new proposals.

He joined Boeing Defence Australia in 2002 from the Australian Defence Materiel Organisation where he held a number of commercial management roles including Business and Contracts Manager for the Strike Reconnaissance Systems Program Office. Carpendale has a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Queensland.

James Christian, NSW State Manager, Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCISA)

A proud Wiradjuri man, Mr Christian has a strong track-record of leadership and achievement in the NSW public service, and was awarded the Public Service Medal in 2011. He has many laudable accomplishments such as his role in securing Constitutional recognition of Aboriginal people as the first people in the NSW Constitution.

Mr Christian has made a strong and positive contribution to the O’Farrell Government’s reform agenda, including through his role in the establishment of the NSW Ministerial Taskforce on Aboriginal Affairs and its focus on employment and education outcomes. ON 9 January of this year, James took up a senior position with the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCISA) as part of his commitment to social policy. James is State Manager (NSW/ACT). Mr Christian holds various formal qualifications, including a Masters in Public Administration ANU.  

Denise Coley, Director, Global Supplier Diversity Business Development, Cisco Systems, US

As Director of Global Supplier Diversity Business Development at Cisco Systems, Inc., Denise leads the company's supplier diversity organisation by developing relationships with diverse suppliers, partners, customers and Cisco. Connecting customers, suppliers, partners and communities promotes economic growth and sustainability on a global basis.

Cisco’s Global Supplier Diversity Business Development organization represents an integrated human network that includes the collaboration of indirect and direct sourcing; sales supply chain; certified diverse channel partners and suppliers that access a wide range of skills and innovation. As she and her team drive this strategic business focus, her primary responsibilities include supplier development, inclusion and utilisation of diverse owned businesses, process and tool infrastructure, reporting, training and support, as well as multi-level global outreach activities on behalf of Cisco.

Denise serves as a member of the Board of Directors on the following Councils: the National Minority Supplier Development Council, the Rocky Mountain Minority Supplier Development Council, and the Conference Board Supplier Diversity Leadership Council. She is a member of the NAWBO Silicon Valley Education Group Advisory Committee. She is the Co-chair of the WeConnect International Board and Co-Chair of the Conference Board Supplier Diversity Leadership Council. Denise also served on the Northern California Supplier Development Council as a member of the Board of Directors for over 10 years.

The Hon Julie Collins MP, Minister for Indigenous Employment & Economic Development, Minister for Community Services & Minister for the Status of Women

Julie Collins MP was born in Tasmania and has worked tirelessly over the past twenty years to improve the lives of Tasmanian families in a variety of political and public sector roles including as an adviser to former Tasmanian Premier Jim Bacon. She was the State Secretary of the Tasmanian Labor Party from 2006 to 2007 and holds a Cert IV in Business Administration. Julie is also mother to three children.

Julie was the first woman to be elected to the House of Representatives for the Tasmanian seat of Franklin in 2007. She was re-elected in 2010 and was appointed the Parliamentary Secretary for Community Services. In December 2011 Julie was appointed the Minister for Community Services, the Minister for Indigenous Affairs and Economic Development and the Minister for the Status of Women. Her responsibilities as Minister for the Status of Women include implementing the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children 2010-2022, reforming the Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Act and Agency and working across the Government to achieve 40 per cent representation of women and men on Australian Government boards and bodies by 2015.

As Minister for Indigenous Employment and Economic Development, Julie is responsible for driving the implementation of the key priorities of the Government’s Indigenous Economic Development Strategy 2011-2018 and is committed to working to halving the employment gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians by 2018.

Miriam Corowa, 24 Weekend Breakfast Presenter, ABC News

Miriam’s television career began in 2000, when she joined SBS’s Indigenous television programme, ICAM, where she worked as a Production Assistant, Researcher and Producer. In 2003, Miriam commenced a 12-month cadetship with SBS Television’s World News service, where she was successful in gaining ongoing employment as a Producer and Presenter with the SBS World News website.

Miriam returned to SBS World News as a Television Reporter in 2005, where she covered events ranging from local to national and international significance, including reporting on the London train bombings of July 2005.

In 2006, Miriam made the move to ABC television, joining the Indigenous documentary programme, Message Stick, as a Producer. She also took on the role of presenting the programme from 2008 to 2010.

Among the stories Miriam has produced for Message Stick are programmes examining the impact of reduced water flows to the Murray River for Aboriginal traditional owners, the recognition of Indigenous servicemen and women’s contributions to Australia’s various war efforts, as well as profiles of leading Indigenous figures such as lawyer/author Terri Janke, Olympian Paul Fleming and Indigenous soprano/ composer/ director Deborah Cheetham.

Miriam also had the great honour of co-hosting ABC Television’s live ‘Apology’ broadcast with Lateline presenter, Tony Jones, on the 13^th of February, 2008 from the grounds of Parliament House in Canberra. For the past three years, Miriam has had the pleasure of hosting the ABC’s national broadcast of the ANZAC Dawn and Lone Pine Services from Gallipoli. In January 2010, Miriam was joined by Australian cricketing legend, Matthew Hayden, in hosting ABC2 Live’s presentation of ‘Jai Ho!’, a spectacular showcase of Bollywood music star AR Rahman’s best-loved hits. Most recently, she co-hosted the ABC’s live broadcast of the ‘Australia Celebrates’ concert alongside Myf Warhust, staged in Canberra on the 25^th of January, 2011.

Andrew Erratt, Executive Lead, Corporate Social Responsibility in Australia and New Zealand (ANZ), Cisco

Having joined Cisco in 1999 to run the ANZ Professional Services Group, he has most recently held the position of Director of Systems Engineers in Cisco ANZ and previously senior positions in Cisco Professional Services in Canada, where he had commercial responsibility for the division. He has had management responsibility in many of his previous roles as well as significant experience in senior levels of Olivetti and Wang, where he also held the role of Company Director and Secretary of the Olivetti Superannuation Fund. Andrew is a previous director of Djarragun College and Wangetti TAVEC and is a current Director Djarragun Enterprises.

Andrew has a Bachelor of Business degree and a Masters of Business in Administration, both from University of Technology, Sydney

Chris Fry, CEO, Indigenous Business Australia (IBA)

Chris Fry, former National Manager of the National Australia Bank’s Agribusiness Wealth Planning team, joined IBA in February 2011 after an extensive history with the Bank, working in various roles in Melbourne, Armidale, Corowa, Wagga Wagga, and Deniliquin. Chris has a long standing interest and involvement in Indigenous Affairs, for example being Chair of the Indigenous Land Council’s Mossman Gorge Development Steering Committee, Inaugural Board member of Indigenous Tourism Leadership Group and having a five week secondment to the Miriuwung Gajerrong Corporation in Kununurra.

Chris holds a Bachelor of Agricultural Economics from the University of New England, a Masters of Applied Finance from Charles Sturt University, and graduate of Australian Rural Leadership Program. As CEO of IBA, Chris is responsible for managing IBA’s day-to-day administration in line with policies determined by the Board. He is assisted by the Canberra-based executive team in working to ensure IBA meets its corporate objectives.

Jocelyn Grant. Director, Five Grants Family Trust

Jocelyn Grant (nee King) is a proud Aboriginal woman born and raised on the lands of the Gadigal people of the Eora nation and a direct descendant of the King and Smith families. She now lives with her family in the Hunter Region of NSW and is an active member of the Aboriginal communities of the Awabakal, Wonaruah, Darkinjung and Worimi people.

As a director of Ngurra Bu Aboriginal Corporation, Jocelyn also maintains an active role in promoting and sharing traditional lore and culutre.
Jocelyn holds a Masters of Applied Science and Social Ecology with majors in Community Development, Organisational Change and Environmental Education and Advocacy.

Jocelyn is also a founding director of the NSW Indigenous Chamber of Commerce. Jocelyn established her consulting firm Fivegrants Family Trust in 2009 after successfully operating as a sole trader offering consultancy services since 2006. Prior to this Jocelyn had over 10 years experience in State and Local government. Fivegrants Family Trust became an Australian Indigenous Minority Supplier Council certified supplier in December 2009.

Janice Bryant Howroyd, Founder and CEO, The Act•1 Group

Janice Bryant Howroyd is the Chairman and CEO of the Act•1 Group, a global leader in the staffing and human resources industry. Headquartered in California, her company creates and implements innovative technologies and global business solutions that allow firms to optimize their talent pools and bottom line through resource management through its Agile1 solutions organization.  Her AppleOne group provides staffing and A-Check America offers background and drug screening internationally. As a leader in the human resources industry, Mrs. Howroyd’s organizations work with business of all sizes, from start-ups to global conglomerates. A sought-after speaker and lecturer, Mrs. Howroyd embodies the importance of combining education and entrepreneurship with service. She shares her unique understanding of the challenges faced by American workers and business owners alike, and has regularly appeared on CNBC’s Street Signs to provide her perspective on the monthly Jobs Report. Recently, she compiled practical as well as motivating solutions in her book, The Art of Work: How to Make Work, Work for You! 

Shaun Hodgins, Supply Chain Manager, Compass Group

Shaun Hodgins is the General Manager of Non Food Procurement with Compass Group Australia, a Multi services provider across multiple business sectors covering catering, Hard and soft FM, security services and township management. Shaun joined Compass in 2008 after being recruited from within the Mining & Resources sectors, where he fulfilled logistics and procurement positions with Oz Minerals (formerly Pasminco) and Rio Tinto respectively. These positions were based in the operational environment, where extensive experience was gained managing direct expenditure, and subcontract and commercial risk. Prior to entering the Supply Chain field Shaun initially completed an automotive electrical apprenticeship within a small family owned business. He holds a Bachelor of Business with Post Graduate qualifications in Finance.

As Compass Group’s core business is driven around catering and support services, Shaun’s role within Supply Chain is to oversee the identification, selection and engagement of Non Food & Beverage suppliers, service providers and subcontractors – all of which are central to Compass’ support services offering. Shaun and his team manage over 2000 suppliers across 80 categories, with a geographic spread across all operating sectors in all states & territories in Australia. Shaun Hodgins is also the AIMSC and Supplier Diversity advocate within Compass Group’ Supply Chain department.

Derek Jacobs, Director of Infrastructure, Brookfield Multiplex Services

Brookfield Multiplex Services provides Facilities Management, Commercial Property and Projects Management services across Australia.

Derek is Director of Infrastructure for Brookfield Multiplex Services, with responsibility for contracts in Education, Defence, Health and Justice Sectors, delivery Hard and Soft Management Services for diversified property portfolio’s across Australia. Derek has worked for both Government and the Private Sectors with experience therefore in procuring  contracts for Government and tendering for them. He is a member of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors.

Terri Janke, Solicitor Director, Terri Janke and Company

Terri set up the legal practice in 2000, today there is a team of six people, three are Indigenous. The firm has a niche with Intellectual Property, guiding clients through the trade mark process and protecting the branding of organisations. The firm does a lot of business legal work, negotiating and drafting agreements, sale of business and employment mediation. Terri is also on the board of Tourism Australia and a graduate from the Company Directors Course. Terri was born in Cairns, with family connections to the Torres Strait Islands and the Cape.

Jennifer Levasseur, Communications & Corporate Social Responsibility, Corporate Express Australia

Jennifer has been passionately involved in supplier diversity programs for over 12 years in the US, UK and Australia. Jennifer currently works for Corporate Express, as Corporate Social Responsibility Manager (Australia and New Zealand). Successes to date have been, developing and promoting Corporate Express’ Sustainable Supply Chain customer strategy and driving policy, procedures and initiatives for all areas of CSR (Environment, Community, Ethics and Diversity).

Her proudest achievements in the last few years have been working with the Australian Indigenous Minority Supplier Council (AIMSC) to share her experience in supplier diversity and leading Corporate Express’ supplier diversity program. This program has been developed to make it easy for Australian organisations to support Indigenous businesses through a Tier 2 supplier diversity solution.

Damian Martina, Sales Director for ANZ, PGi

Damian’s background is as varied as they come; from IT Management and Consultancy, to Call Centre Management (and even a stint with the Victorian Police Force). There’s little that Damian hasn’t seen or dealt with in the Sales arena.

Damian has worked at PGi for the last 5 years, initially as the General Manager for Enterprise Care Teleconferencing where he successfully grew the business 20 per cent year on year in a declining market.

As Sales Director at PGi, and a prominent member of the AU&NZ Senior Management team, he is responsible for the transformation of key selling strategies around prospecting, meetings, presentations and ongoing customer relationship management. Damian invests in continuous learning to up skill and nurture his staff into high performing teams with the customer always front of mind.

Kevin McCafferty, Chief Procurement Officer, Qantas Airways

Kevin McCafferty is currently the Chief Procurement Officer of Qantas Airways Limited, a role which he has held since September 2010, and is responsible for managing Qantas’ $10bn per annum third party expenditure.  Prior to his role at Qantas, Kevin was the General Manager, Strategic Procurement and Supply for RailCorp NSW, the state rail authority for NSW and was responsible for transforming the procurement function at RailCorp, addressing some hard-hitting issues such as perceived systemic corruption within the organisation, an entrenched, traditional, heavy engineering culture, significant cost constraints across the supply base and conflicting priorities between the central government functions and the agencies.  Kevin was awarded the CIPS Leadership Award by the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply at its annual awards in November 2010, and has recently become a Fellow of the Institute.

Kevin has lived in Australia for 7 years, settling with his family of 4 children in Woonona, near Wollongong, on the NSW South Coast. Kevin  originally hails from Stirling, Scotland (Braveheart country for the history and movie buffs).

Kevin has over 16 years experience in procurement, and in a career spanning 29 years, has spent 18 of these in a variety of public sector roles, and 11 in private sector and consulting role.

Shelley Reys, Managing Director, Arrilla

Shelley Reys is an Indigenous woman of the Djiribul people and an Indigenous strategist and service provider across the nation and Managing Director of Arrilla - Indigenous Consultants and Services, a successful private firm in its 20th year.

While she works with all sectors of the community, she is best known for her work with corporate Australia in helping them achieve their goals and advance with confidence. Indigenous Cultural Awareness & Competency training is Arrilla’s most sought after service. Ms Reys’ reputation is one of skilled diversity; from training CEOs, boards and executives through to HR practitioners and mentors.

Ms Reys is also known for her work with the national apology to the ‘Gtolen Generations’ and the broader national reconciliation movement, both of which she played a formal role for 19 years.

Stephanie Rice, Manager Indigenous Finance and Development, NAB

Stephanie builds partnerships and facilitates relationships with Indigenous organisations to create financial inclusion via business support and supplier diversity. She also manages NAB’s cultural engagement through its Reconciliation Action Plan.

Stephanie has 15 years experience in corporate responsibility, stakeholder and community engagement, and environmental management.  Prior to her move to the finance industry, she led infrastructure development and environment management initiatives including wind farms, water allocation plans and cultural heritage management.

She has held senior roles in state government, private consulting and a global sustainable development company. Stephanie holds a Masters Degree in Environmental Studies and a Bachelor of Arts (double major in Anthropology and Media Studies) both from the University of Adelaide.

Stephen Roberts, CEO, Citi Australia & Chairman, AIMSC

Stephen joined Salomon Brothers as an investment banking associate in 1984 and the following year was transferred to Sydney and promoted to Vice President in 1985. In 1989, he was appointed Director with responsibility for opening and heading the firm’s Melbourne office. In 1992 he transferred to London as Director of European Capital Markets. He left Salomon Brothers in August 1995 to work as Regional Head of Capital Markets for Lehman Brothers in Hong Kong. He rejoined Salomon Brothers in August 1996. Prior to his career with Salomon Brothers, Stephen held positions with the Australian Treasury and the Australian Foreign Service as Vice Consul in New York. Born in Australia, Stephen holds a Bachelor of Economics degree from Australian National University.

Darrin Savo, Director, Northern Haulage & Diesel Services

Darrin is an Aboriginal man who is a descendantfrom Old Mapoon,near Weipa, and the Djirribal people from the Tully area in northern Queensland.  He is a Co-Director with his brother, Craig Savo, of Northern Haulage & Diesel Services Pty Ltd, which commenced operations in July 2009.    Both are motivated and driven by goals that reflect their vision of enhancing our business, our community, our people. 

Darrin’s career has been in the mining, civil works and training over the past 22 years.  He has held leadership and technical positions in the mining industry which has empowered him to share his knowledge andpursue opportunities through the business setting. Darrin is passionate about the development and capacity building of his own people.  Working in his own business has enabled him to use his experience to help Aboriginal and TSI people to aspire to their own visions and careers. 

By means of this process, Darrin aims to provide an opportunity and platform to enhance skills, knowledge and experience to enter into mainstream employment.  This path has already been established and proven successful through the NHDS recruitment process and then creating opportunities as the need arises.

Gillian Trenerry, Managing Director, Fibre Optics NQ

Fibre Optics NQ has been operating for 10 years and has been very successful in the telecommunications industry in Queensland and have expanded operations to Western Australia.

Gillian is a Bjarra Woman from Central Queensland where to this day you can see how my ancestors communicated with each other 20,000 years ago. Gillian completed an Apprentiship as an electrician and fell into the telecommunications industry and with her partner Gino Amadio started Fibre Optics NQ. Her mission is to create wealth and role models within the Indigenous communities.

Michael Tuahine, Executive Director, Community Leadership Solutions

Michael Tuahine is talented and versatile performer. He has appeared in film, theater and television and his notable credits include: Valentines Day (December films) Corrugation Road (Black Swan Theater Company), Showboat the music, Last Cab to Darwin and Ruby’s Last Dollar (pork chop productions), Sea Patrol (Channel 9), Hot Spell (SBS). A graduate of the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) he has also gained recognition as a host of some of Australia’s largest events. Host and MC credits include:

The Deadly’s (Vibe Australia 1997-present), Vibe Alive Festival (Vibe Australia), National Indigenous Television Launch – NITV (Power House Museum 2007), NAIDOC Ball 2007, The World Masters Games 2008 – Sydney (Out There Productions), NRL All-Stars Match 2010, Former Origin Greats – FOG’s (2011-present), Learn Earn Legend Conference (Gold Coast 2011)

As host of The Deadly’s on numerous occasions, his performance attracted such reviews as: “Host for the second year running, Michael Tuahine beamed from start to finished, his classy performance oozing with poise and panache, as he steered the night home. If only other Australian awards nights could offer hosts with as much charisma and personality.” – Vibe Magazine

As well as being an accomplished performer, Michael is also the Executive Director of his own company Community Leadership Solutions – bringing communities together. Currently funded by the Australian Government, Michael’s company delivers leadership skills and development programs to Indigenous communities through Queensland.

Stephen Turner, Manager - Group Procurement, Wesfarmers

Stephen Turner has 16 years procurement experience but, like most procurement professionals, did not start his working life in this profession. In 10 years at the Naval Dockyards in Melbourne he gained qualifications as an electrician, electrical draftsman and a quality assurance officer before relocating to Perth.

Steve then worked for Carrier Air Conditioning for 13 years, first as a design draftsman, then engineering liaison and air conditioning designer and finally seven years as the Procurement Manager. Nine years ago he joined Wesfarmers and for the last seven years has been Manager of Wesfarmers Group Procurement.

Natalie Walker, CEO, AIMSC

Natalie has held advisory roles in KPMG, the Australian Human Rights Commission and Queensland Government. Natalie is currently the Deputy Chair of National Indigenous Television, a director of the Australian Indigenous Leadership Centre and a member of the NSW Board of Vocational Education and Training.

In 2002, Natalie was a delegate to the United Nations Working Group on Indigenous Populations. Natalie is currently one of 83 senior women mentees participating in the Australian Institute of Company Directors ASX 200 Chairmen’s Mentoring Program.