Naomi Anstess (Samsep/Erub & Gumeroi) is a Blak leader, strategist, and fearless advocate for Indigenous economic sovereignty. As Big Boss of the Northern Territory Indigenous Business Network (NTIBN), she drives Blak-first procurement, strengthens Indigenous business participation, and ensures grassroots voices are at the centre of decisions that affect communities and country.

Naomi is a national lead in the war against Blak Cladding - the practice of using Indigenous identity as a veneer for profit without genuine Indigenous ownership, control or benefit. Unafraid to call it out, she challenges governments, corporations, and industry bodies to lift standards and be accountable. A powerful Blak procurement advocate, she is relentless in her push for real, not tokenistic, opportunities for Indigenous businesses.

Alongside her leadership at NTIBN, Naomi owns and operates SaltBlack, a business through which she has built an evidenced history of supporting Blak businesses to grow, strengthen, and thrive. Her on-the-ground experience through SaltBlack adds depth to her national advocacy, ensuring her voice is grounded in lived realities of Blak entrepreneurs, not just policy or theory.

Her career spans government, community-controlled organisations, national advocacy platforms, and business enterprises, where she has delivered sector reforms, governance change, and major project negotiations. Known for her ability to cut through and demand fairness, Naomi consistently brings corporate, government, and grassroots voices together, while never compromising on accountability to mob.

She is passionate about empowering the next generation. From programs for Indigenous women in business to youth entrepreneurs and remote enterprises, Naomi continues to create pathways that ensure Blak businesses thrive now and into the future. Her leadership is defined by authenticity, accountability, and an unwavering commitment to dismantling systems that undermine Indigenous sovereignty.

Deb Barwick is the CEO of the NSW Indigenous Chamber of Commerce Inc. Deb is also a national and international award-winning Aboriginal entrepreneur and business owner who believes that Aboriginal people themselves are the solution to social and economic parity and that enabling Aboriginal leadership regionally, nationally and globally is a strategic and wise investment toward a stronger Australian economy and nation. Deb’s many professional achievements include:

Establishing Australia’s first Indigenous chamber of commerce in 2006 and leading the establishment of state and national peak bodies since 2009 to represent the interests of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander owned businesses and social enterprises. Today, the national network of Indigenous Chambers of Commerce represent over 5,000 members.

Deb received the NSW Premiers Award for Excellence recognising the impact of her work since 1999 to support the establishment and growth of Indigenous owned businesses in NSW and for advocating their inclusion in government and industry supply chains. Today she is a highly sought after procurement advisor and strategist in the development and implementation of social procurement policy working with both sides of the supply chain for best practice sustainable engagement.

Deb’s  accomplishments are complemented by her many successes and achievements as a business owner. Her company Winya Indigenous Furniture, established in 2016, has won multiple local, state and national awards in Australia including the overall business of the year award by the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply Management and in 2018 became the first and only Australian company to win a United Nations Sustainability Goals Award.

Gordon Cole is a respected Noongar leader, entrepreneur, and advocate for First Nations economic empowerment. He is the Chairperson of the Noongar Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI), where he has been instrumental in advancing opportunities for Indigenous businesses through trade, advocacy, capacity building, and wealth creation. Under his leadership, NCCI has strengthened its role as a platform for Indigenous enterprises to thrive, while embedding cultural authority and sustainability at the heart of its work.

With extensive experience across governance, business development, and community leadership, Gordon has been at the forefront of building long-term economic strategies. 

Gordon is also the founder and director of multiple ventures, including Blak Digital Pty Ltd and Paradigm Entertainment demonstrating his commitment to creating opportunities across diverse industries. His work is guided by ESG principles, the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and First Nations knowledge systems, ensuring Indigenous voices shape future prosperity.

A collaborative leader, Gordon brings vision, integrity, and cultural strength to advancing Indigenous business nationally and globally.

Lawrence is a Taungurung Victorian First Nation descendant and board member of the Kinaway Business Chamber Victoria. He brings a range of knowledge and skills spanning government, Aboriginal community-controlled organisations and business ownership.

 Lawrence is an advocate of self-determination and has been involved in legacy outcomes such as Victorian Treaty establishment, recognition and rights through the Victorian Traditional Owner Settlement Act, protection of Cultural Heritage and economic empowerment building Aboriginal business ownership.

Lawrence sees the NIBCA as the Peak body leading in combating “Black Cladding” through strong leadership and advocacy with Commonwealth and State Governments to Legislate and enforce robust policy and procedures that dismantle and call out the hideous practices of “Black Cladding” in the Victorian construction industry.