Shelley Ware is a proud Yankunytjatjara, Kokatha and Wirangu woman from Tandanya/Adelaide who currently lives in Naarm/Melbourne. She is highly regarded AFL media presenter with over two decades of experience in live television, starting on Channel 7’s ‘Live and Kicking’ then 10 years on NITV’s ‘Marngrook’ football show and hosting ‘Colour of Your Jumper.’ She is a regular “Morning Broad” on ‘Broad Radio’ a women’s radio show and writes a fortnightly AFL and opinion column for the Koori Mail. She was the Essendon Women’s Network ‘Football Women of the Year’ in 2019 and continues to work in the AFL space as the Chairperson of the Carlton FC RAP.
Shelley is also a teacher, author, curriculum writer, MC and facilitator and is passionate, about embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander History and culture into classrooms and the national curriculum. She consults and works closely with schools and the corporate sector, teaching and upskilling staff and leadership, in Aboriginal History and Culture and creating culturally safe spaces for all to thrive. Shelley has been an Indigenous Literacy Foundation ambassador for 10 years. Last year she was a finalist for the NAIDOC Education award.
Liz Allen, founder and owner of Liz Allen Consultancy, is a proud Wurundjeri and Dja Dja Wurrung woman and Traditional Owner of Victoria. Establishing her consultancy in 2010, her work reflects a deep commitment to improving cultural, social, and economic opportunities for First Peoples across various sectors.
Liz brings a thorough understanding of the impacts of being historically excluded from the economy and now finding our people in a social policy setting. Liz understands the unique challenges and opportunities involved in the strengthening the First Peoples business landscape across Victoria.
Liz was involved in establishing policy and participation targets with her work on the Victorian Governments Social Procurement Framework, Aboriginal Affairs Framework and Yuma Yirramboi Victorias Aboriginal employment and economic strategy. Liz is the current deputy chair of the Victorian Aboriginal Economic and Employment Council.
Rob is a Partner and the National Director of Indigenous Services for MNP. Through a career spanning 30 years Rob has held senior posts within Government, Corporate and Aboriginal sectors. More recently Mr. Campbell has been recognized by the Globe and Mail’s Report on Business as one of the “Top 50 Executives in Canada” award winners. With strong interpersonal and communication skills and a high degree of empathy Rob identifies well with MNP clients and their needs. His unique experience has given him an in-depth understanding of Indigenous issues and opportunities. Through his skills and knowledge Rob oversees and supports MNP’s services for Canada’s Indigenous community.
Past positions included Vice President of Corporate Development for Tribal Councils Investment Group of Manitoba Ltd. (TCIG). TCIG is a unique investment company mandated by the First Nations of the seven founding Tribal Councils of Manitoba to create sustainable First Nations economies. Within TCIG Rob also held the role of Vice President and General Manager of the Radisson Winnipeg Hotel Downtown and Vice-President and General Manager of Tribal Marketing Communications Inc. Prior to TCIG involvement Rob was the Provincial Coordinator of Community Development Corporations, Community Works Loan Program and Community Roundtables on behalf of the Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives Department. These innovative programs are a creative approach for rural communities to foster social and economic growth through locally controlled strategic planning, development corporations and community-based loan funds. On an independent basis Rob operated a boutique consulting company called Aboriginal Business Information Services. The main function of ABIS was to provide economic and business development support related to initiatives within the Aboriginal and Corporate community. In addition, Rob has worked as an economic development advisor and officer with various organizations. Some involvements include Governmental Liaison to the Manitoba Chiefs Agreement Advisory Committee, National Development Officer to the Department of Indian and Northern Affair’s Community Economic Development Branch, National Director of Aboriginal Affairs and Economic Advisor to the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB), and National Director to the Council for the Advancement of Native Development Officers (CANDO).
Some present and past board and committee positions include Board Member to the Norman Regional Development Board, Board Member and Executive to CANDO, Board Member to the St. Boniface Hospital Research Foundation, Board Member to the Manitoba Law Society, Committee Member to the Assembly of First Nations Economic Experts, Board Member to the Canadian Aboriginal Minerals Association (CAMA), Committee Member to the National Aboriginal Trust Officers Association (NATOA), Committee Member to the Special Procurement Initiative on Aboriginal Business, Committee Member and Jury Chairperson to the CCAB Progressive Aboriginal Relations Program (PAR), Committee Member to the Canadian Aboriginal Portal, Committee Member to the Manitoba Aboriginal Business Network, Chairman of the Aboriginal Business Development Centre of Winnipeg, Board Member to the Whitehorse Mining Initiative, Committee Member to the Minto and Sergeant Neighborhood Advisory Committee, Board Member to Manitoba Cancer Care, Board Member to Villa Rosa and Vice-Chair for Manitoba Junior Achievement. Through these unique experiences Rob has become a consultant, advisor, facilitator, motivational speaker and emcee at many conferences, youth gatherings and corporate events. This specialization has also led Rob to be a guest lecturer at several Canadian universities, colleges and high schools. Rob is from the Kinosao Sipi Cree Nation (Norway House) and has worked extensively throughout Canada. Rob is married to Beatrice Mathias a Member of the Frog Lake Cree Nation and they have son Connor. Rob has recently attended Harvard’s School of Business.