Connect 2026 > Supplier Diversity Awards 2026

Finalists announced for Supply Nation’s 2026 Supplier Diversity Awards

The Supplier Diversity Awards recognise companies, government agencies and individuals making outstanding contributions to the Indigenous business sector.

Award winners will be announced at the Connect 2026 Gala Awards Dinner on Wednesday 12 August at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre in Boorloo.

All awards are judged by an independent judging panel and audited by an independent audit firm.

Certified Supplier of the Year

Proudly sponsored by: Telstra

This award recognises a Certified Supplier (including sole traders) listed on Indigenous Business Direct that has driven significant growth in their business and has demonstrated ongoing engagement with Supply Nation and/or our members.

The 2026 finalists are:

Elephant in the Room Consulting 
Elephant in the Room Consulting is a 100% Indigenous-owned consultancy led by Jenni Walke, grounded on embedding culture into business infrastructure and turning awareness into measurable practice. 
Gunggandji Aerospace 
Gunggandji Aerospace is Australia’s first and only Indigenous-owned aerospace consultancy, a profit-for-purpose business breaking barriers for Indigenous Australians and veterans in the industry. 
Karlka Fencewright 
Karlka Fencewright is a 100% Indigenous-owned company delivering commercial-grade fencing, gates and turnkey perimeter security solutions to mining, government and commercial clients across Australia. 

Supplier Diversity Advocate of the Year

This award recognises an individual from a Supply Nation member business or Indigenous supplier (including sole traders) who has driven supplier diversity growth and development within their business and / or the Indigenous business sector.

The 2026 finalists are:

Celia Perkins 
Department of Defence 
Celia Perkins serves as Deputy Secretary Security and Estate at the Department of Defence, championing a range of initiatives that advocate for Indigenous affairs and promotes supplier diversity. 
Christine Ross 
Christine Ross Consultancy 
Christine Ross is a proud Arrernte-Kaytetye woman, Managing Director, and Aboriginal engagement expert who guides corporations and government agencies in developing Reconciliation Action Plans.  
Mark Kucks 
Hutchinson Builders 
Mark Kucks, a descendant of the Yuggera and Kullilli peoples, led the development of the Statim Yaga initiative, embedding Indigenous employment, training, and procurement into Hutchies’ core business operations. 

Corporate Member of the Year

This award recognises a corporate member that has demonstrated exceptional commitment and leadership and driven significant growth in supplier diversity.

The 2026 finalists are:

BHP 
BHP is a global resources company, supplying commodities essential to modern life while embedding Indigenous procurement into its procurement, governance, and social value frameworks.  
Hutchinson Builders 
Hutchinson Builders is Australia’s largest privately owned construction company, recognised for its strong family values, long-term client relationships, and significant industry presence.  
Sodexo Australia 
Sodexo Australia delivers diverse food services and facilities management, fostering partnerships with Indigenous businesses to drive sustainable reconciliation and community impact.  

Indigenous Businesswoman of the Year

Proudly sponsored by: Westpac

This award recognises a woman-identifying Indigenous business owner who has driven significant and sustainable growth in her business and has demonstrated ongoing engagement with Supply Nation and / or our members and Indigenous businesses.

The 2026 finalists are:

Kylie-Lee Bradford 
Kakadu Organics 
Kylie-Lee Bradford is a proud Murrumburr woman and founder of Kakadu Organics, an Aboriginal-owned wellness brand grounded in culture, Country, and sustainability, transforming traditional knowledge into bush foods and wellness products.  
Jasmine Kadic 
Benang 
Jasmine Kadic is a proud Whadjuk/Ballardong woman and co-founder of Benang, a multi-disciplinary infrastructure and mechanical services company operating across water, power, gas, mining and energy sectors in WA.  
Jadah Pleiter 
Panku Safety Solutions and Heart2HeartTraining & Supplies 
Jadah Pleiter is a Palyku Traditional Owner and Founder/CEO of Panku Safety Solutions and Heart2Heart Training & Supplies, a specialist PPE provider focused on delivering safety supplies through technical expertise, reliability, and genuine social impact. 

Registered Supplier of the Year

Proudly sponsored by: bp

This award recognises a Registered Supplier (including sole traders) listed on Indigenous Business Direct that has driven significant growth in their business and has demonstrated ongoing engagement with Supply Nation and / or our members.

The 2026 finalists are:

BilaEmpower 
BilaEmpower is a First Nations-led national organisation delivering culturally integrated Employee Assistance Program services while strengthening Indigenous professional service businesses.  
Little Wombats Program 
Little Wombats Program is an Aboriginal-led cultural education business delivering immersive, curriculum aligned programs to early learning services, primary schools, libraries and community events. 
Morrgul 
Morrgul, meaning “working together”, is a 100% Aboriginal-owned not-for-profit organisation, providing culturally grounded support, mentoring and capacity-building to Aboriginal businesses. 

Procurement Professional of the Year

Proudly sponsored by: Killara Services

This award recognises an individual who works within the procurement department of a Supply Nation member organisation and has driven significant growth in sustainable supplier diversity through their organisation’s supply chain.

The 2026 finalists are:

Barbara Giudici 
Fortescue 
Barbara Giudici is the Senior Manager of Aboriginal Business Development at Fortescue, working to embed supplier diversity as not just an initiative, but as a core commercial discipline.  
Dilan Perera 
Suncorp Group 
Dilan Perera is the Procurement Leader for Sustainability and Supplier Management at Suncorp, working to embed Indigenous procurement directly into core category management and sourcing practices.  
Sharleen Airs 
BHP 
Sharleen Airs leads BHP’s Indigenous Procurement, working to embed Indigenous businesses into core procurement strategy, governance and delivery rather than treating diversity as an adjunct activity.  

Government Member of the Year

This award recognises a government member that has demonstrated exceptional commitment, engagement and leadership in supplier diversity and driven significant growth in the Indigenous business sector.

The 2026 finalists are:

Main Roads Western Australia and the Transport Portfolio Aboriginal Engagement branch 
Main Roads WA established The Transport Portfolio Aboriginal Engagement (TPAE) branch to drive Aboriginal economic participation, initiate partnerships, and provide mentoring opportunities.  
Western Power 
Western Power is committed to working with Aboriginal-owned businesses through its Innovate RAP, embedding Aboriginal participation across sourcing, evaluation, and contract delivery.  
The Department of Employment and Workplace Relations 
Through targeted initiatives, DEWR is embedding early consideration of Indigenous businesses across procurement processes, creating accessible and meaningful opportunities for First Nations enterprises.  

Sam Tjengala Reuben Award recognising Young Entrepreneur of the Year

Proudly sponsored by: EY

This award honours the late Sam Tjengala Reuben, an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander man and business owner from Townsville, who sadly passed away in 2019. Sam was a proud leader in his community and was a valued member of Supply Nation’s inaugural Indigenous Business Advisory Group.

This award recognises a young Indigenous entrepreneur who has successfully brought their business idea to fruition, can demonstrate the potential for significant growth in the years to come, and has demonstrated ongoing engagement with Supply Nation and / or its members and Indigenous suppliers.

The 2026 finalists are:

Caleb Gordon 
Gordon Plumbing Solutions 
Caleb Gordon, a proud Gomeroi man and Director of Gordon Plumbing Solutions, is helping to create opportunities for Aboriginal youth through training, work experience, and apprenticeships.  
Lane Stockton 
Yarn'n Co 
Lane Stockton is the founder of Yarn'n Co, Australia’s only Australian-made, Indigenous-owned toilet paper brand, serving customers nationwide while giving back to community through donations. 
Samuel Coote 
SIERA Logistics 
Sam Coote is a proud Aboriginal entrepreneur, maritime professional, and founder of SIERA Marine Management, helping address gaps in the market for high-quality, operator-led marine services.  

Indigenous Exporter of the Year

Proudly sponsored by: Export Finance Australia

This award recognises an Indigenous business (including sole traders) that is successfully operating within the export market; can demonstrate potential for future export growth and has demonstrated ongoing engagement with Supply Nation and / or our members and Indigenous suppliers.

The 2026 finalists are:

Kakadu Organics 
Kakadu Organics are working alongside Aboriginal women in rural and remote communities to combine Traditional knowledge with modern manufacturing standards to deliver wellness products and native foods to global markets.  
Kirrikin 
Kirrikin is an Aboriginal-owned luxury fashion and lifestyle brand that transforms contemporary Aboriginal artwork into ethically produced garments and accessories, grounded in values of respect, cultural authenticity, and ethical practice.  
Munda Wines 
Munda Wines is a premium, 100% Aboriginal-owned wine company, working with Traditional Owners, winemakers and grape growers across Australia to produce a suite of 8 wines proudly named after Traditional Countries that produced it.  

Supplier Diversity Partnership of the Year

Proudly sponsored by: ANZ

This award recognises two businesses (Supply Nation Indigenous suppliers [including sole traders] and / or members) that have worked in partnership to contribute to the growth of the sector and / or specific Indigenous businesses. Such partnerships can include mentoring, programs, consortia bids, and / or strategic alliances.

The 2026 finalists are:

Benang and ATCO Gas Australia 
Benang, an Indigenous-owned infrastructure company, partnered with ATCO Gas Australia through a shared vision of using infrastructure delivery to drive economic empowerment and meaningful community benefit.  
Dundee Rock and LION 
LION has engaged Dundee Rock, a 100% Aboriginal-owned construction company, on a variety of projects across its breweries and most notably the design and build of the Little Creatures Fremantle venue. 
Kardan Construction and Department of Housing and Works 
The Department of Housing and Works’ goal to increase Aboriginal participation in the public sector aligned with Kardan’s ambition to grow as a competitive Aboriginal construction and property business, creating a partnership focused on social outcomes.  

Dr Dean Jarrett Award recognising Outstanding Impact

This award honours the late Dr. Dean Jarrett, who sadly passed away in 2021. Dean was a proud Gumbaynggirr/Goreng Goreng/Punthamara man who worked as an academic-practitioner based at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) Business School and was a valued member of the Supply Nation Board.

This award recognises an organisation or individual that has made an outstanding impact on supplier diversity and / or the growth of the Indigenous business sector.

The winner is selected from the finalists of all other award categories. The achievements and efforts of the winning organisation or individual illustrate the potential to drive growth and achieve a truly prosperous, vibrant and sustainable Indigenous business sector.

Supplier Diversity Award Judges

The judging panel comprises of well-respected business leaders across diverse industries. All members of the judging panel are independent of Supply Nation, our membership and businesses listed on Indigenous Business Direct. This year’s judging panel consists of:   

Michael McLeod 
Message Stick Communications and Message Stick Foundation 
Proud Ngarrindjeri Monaro and Yorta Yorta man, inaugural Patron of Supply Nation, and Founder and Co-Chair of Message Stick Communications and Message Stick Foundation. A member of the Stolen Generations, Michael is a successful businessman and entrepreneur who proudly sponsors and convenes the National Apology Breakfast.  
Julie-Ann Lambourne 
Queensland Indigenous Business Network 
Proud Wagedagam woman from Mabuiag Island and Samsep woman from Erub Island. Julie-ann is a co-founder and Co-chairperson of Queensland Indigenous Business Network (QIBN) and has over 30 years' experience specialising in innovation, business strategy and advisory, workforce development and community development.  
Ryan Sims 
Laing O’Rourke 
WA Procurement Leader at Laing O’Rourke, with over 20 years' experience in contract and commercial management. Ryan leads work winning project teams across various sectors and is committed to sustainable local industry participation and meaningful Indigenous engagement.