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.
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.
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.
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 13th 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 25th 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.
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.
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.
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.
