Elephant in the Room takes top First Nations exporter award

Photo: Jenni Walke, Founder of Elephant in the Room Consulting accepts the 2024 Indigenous Exporter of the Year at the Connect 24 Supply Nation Supplier Diversity Awards

Elephant in the Room Consulting, an Indigenous-owned and run consulting firm offers professional services including leadership development, business and First Nations strategy, coaching and facilitation. The consultancy works with businesses and leaders from Australia, Europe, Southeast Asia, Canada and the US. 

Founder Jenni Walke, a proud Bundjalung woman based in Meanjin, Brisbane, in accepting the award says:

We have had an export model from the day we started our company in 2017.  We know that’s where we get scale and growth. To be recognised for the work we have done is phenomenal.

Connect, Australia’s largest trade event for First Nations businesses has been held annually since 2009. The awards bring together Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander 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, General Manager for Visitor Economy and Client Programs Division in the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade). The 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.

Jenni Walke encourages other First Nations businesses to look for opportunities to take their products and services global. She says the success of Elephant in the Room Consulting shows First Nations knowledge and wisdom is valued globally now more than ever.

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 Sam 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.'

The CEO of Supply Nation, Kate Russell, says export is essential to First Nations businesses as it offer a chance to grow, earn and employ more.

Ms Russell says, 'Austrade and Supply Nation’s partnership is important to ensure culturally appropriate support for Indigenous businesses who inspire to work internationally.'

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.

Austrade sponsors the Indigenous Exporter of the Year award and the shortlisted contenders in 2024 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.

​Find out how Austrade supports First Nations businesses to go global.

Supply Nation is a non-profit organisation that supports the growth of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander business sector by promoting supplier diversity. Supply Nation's Indigenous Business Directory lists over 5,000 verified Indigenous businesses.