Olga Havnen and Josh Gilbert have been promoted and re-appointed, respectively, to roles on Indigenous Business Australia's board.
Ms Havnen, a Western Arrernte woman has been escalated to deputy chairperson after appointment to the Indigenous Business Australia (IBA) Board in December, 2024 while Mr Gilbert, a Worimi man, has been reappointed as board director.
Ms Havnen enters her role with significant board experience as Justice Reform Initiative director and previously as a director of the Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation, Clontarf Foundation and Stars Foundation.
The Tennant Creek local and strong advocate for culturally safe care for Indigenous Australians has also held leadership roles in numerous community-facing organisations, including as chief executive officer of Danila Dilba Health Service.
Mr Gilbert's re-appointment extends his commitment to the board since April 2022.
The current co-chair of Reconciliation NSW, Mr Gilbert is an entrepreneur and business advisor, predominantly working in the Aboriginal culture, agriculture and environmental spheres.
He has worked with numerous not-for-profits, businesses and the government to develop change and bring people on a journey of change, his work seeking to connect traditional Aboriginal knowledge and history to current contexts, translating past wisdom and learning to future opportunities.
A farmer and academic, Mr Gilbert is currently undertaking higher degree research at Charles Sturt University and was recently recognised within the world's top 50 young gastronomers.
Ms Havnen and Mr Gilbert's appointment comes after IBA recently announced the appointment of Brian Bero and Dr Doug McTaggart as board directors.
Speaking on Ms Havnen and Mr Gilbert's appointment, IBA chairperson Darren Godwell, a descendant of the Kokoberren peoples of Cape York, highlighted the importance of a strong Indigenous board with diverse skills to represent the vision of IBA.
"Bringing together a diverse board of community members that have their own individual expertise along with a mix of corporate skills will leverage IBA to the next stage in our delivery to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people," Mr Godwell said.
"Community comes first for Indigenous Australians and we understand that it's not one view that will solve the puzzle but bringing together multiple of strengths to support a common goal.
Federal Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator Malarndirri McCarthy said she looked forward to working forward to working with the pair to advance the economic empowerment of First Nations people.
"I am confident that this new-look board will help deliver the Albanese Government's drive for greater economic empowerment for First Nations people," Senator McCarthy said.
"Collectively this board balances a wealth of expertise with fresh perspectives. The experience of the Board will be beneficial to IBA as it enacts the recent expansion of its role and remit."