The Inaugural First Nations Business Research Summit was hosted at the University of Sydney Business School on Wednesday 16 August 2023 and moderated by Professor Leisa Sargent, Dean of the University of Sydney Business School. It bought together thought leaders and entrepreneurs, including our panel speakers included Carol Vale, Chief Executive Officer, Murawin Pty Ltd, George Denny-Smith, RPS Group and Deb Barwick, CEO of the NSW Indigenous Chamber of Commerce Inc. (NSWICC) from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander business sector, the business community and academia.

The event recording from the day can be accessed via the video below and you can access the photos from the event via the Flickr album.

The Summit created an inclusive space for connection of ideas and where people could share their research of relevance to First Nations businesses and peoples, and to celebrate and promote this sector.
The theme for this year's summit was "The Voice and Business" . Businesses across Australia have a leading role to play in the referendum and will be impacted by its outcome.

Speakers

Carol Vale

Chief Executive Officer, Murawin Pty Ltd

Carol Vale is a Dunghutti woman from Armidale, NSW. She is Sociologist specialising in Indigenous Public Policy and Strategy. She has been a senior officer in the NSW Government, spanning a career of 35+ years. She has 3 daughters and 1 son, 13 grandchildren and 1 great grandson. She along with her life partner Greg Mckenzie, established Murawin, one of Australia's leading Indigenous consultancy businesses in 2014 with the view to empowering First Nation voices through their work.

George Denny-Smith

RPS Group

George is a passionate subject matter expert in social procurement and how the construction industry creates social value in the communities where it operates. George has worked with industry and academia to develop and monitor social procurement initiatives by developing industry-first frameworks that outline how business can create sustainable social impact. George helps co-design solutions for complex problems, advising clients on maximising the impact of their social procurement.

Deb Barwick

CEO of the NSW Indigenous Chamber of Commerce Inc. (NSWICC)

Deb Barwick is a proud descendant of the Gamilaroi Nation, CEO of the NSW Indigenous Chamber of Commerce Inc. (NSWICC) and international award-winning entrepreneur. Deb's many professional achievements include establishing Australia's first Indigenous Chamber of Commerce in 2006. She then went on to establish the NSW Indigenous Chamber of Commerce in 2009 as the first state peak body for Indigenous entrepreneurs, business owners and enterprising community organisations. In 2015 Deb led the national network of Indigenous peak business bodies to establish the First Australians Chamber of Commerce and Industry to provide the sector with a national voice and advocacy vehicle. Her vision was, and continues to be, for a model whereby Indigenous business owners operating in every region across Australia are positioned to inform the country's economic and social policy agenda.