Woolworths Group general manager of social impact, Adam Bray, is a finalist in two categories of the 2025 Supply Nation Awards.

The first is in the 'Corporate Member of the Year' category, which recognises a corporate member which has demonstrated exceptional commitment and leadership and driven significant growth in supplier diversity.

The second, together with ARA Indigenous Services, is in the Supplier Diversity Partnership of the Year' category, which recognises businesses who have worked in partnership to contribute to the growth of the sector and/or specific Indigenous businesses.

Mr Bray, proudly from the Iman People in Central Queensland, said Woolworths' core purpose is to create a better experience for a better tomorrow.

"It is a team effort to achieve tangible progress and success and that is something I am proud of," he said.

The Woolworths Group is one of the largest organisations in Australia and New Zealand with one of the largest workforces.

"We are able to leverage our network and our team to drive progress and make good progress in areas that matter," Mr Bray said.

Mr Bray joined Woolworths in 2021, in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, and his career path has been anything but linear.

Born and raised Mount Morgan in Queensland, he dropped out of high school to commence an apprenticeship as a butcher.

He then joined the Australian Navy and during deployment, sustained a serious spinal injury.

Unable to work and while recovering, Mr Bray enrolled in university as a mature aged student to study political science.

"My family was prosecuting a Native Title case, and they were successful in 2016, and that shaped my outlook, who I am, and motivated me," Mr Bray said.

While at university, Mr Bray interned at NAB in government affairs and public policy and worked part time at the Human Rights Commission.

His first corporate role was at Telstra as senior advisor Indigenous affairs, and about a year later, was the national Indigenous affairs manager at Shell.

"In 2021, the Woolworths Group asked if I could assist with a strategy and build an Indigenous affairs team, and a year ago I was promoted to general manager of social impact," he said.

"You can have a crack Indigenous affairs team, but it only becomes a reality when all folk to come together for the common good, and when supported by good leadership."

Mr Bray said in Woolworths' latest Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), released in May 2025, there is a concerted focus on employment, procurement, education and training, sourcing and health.

"The key focus is tangible progress," he said. "We have set ourselves a target over a three-year time frame to spend with Indigenous businesses.

"We're adding more suppliers in procurement in the supply chain and non-chain services such as ARA Indigenous Services."

ARA Indigenous Services works in collaboration with Woolworths in properties and facilities management, focussing on the employment and integration of Indigenous Australians into the workforce.

"Woolworths has a diverse pool of Indigenous businesses we work with, and we are deliberate in how we set up agreements with those businesses for mutual success and a sustainable pathway," Mr Bray said.

"Importantly, there's work going on in background around the trade element that shows up on our shelves and there are growing calls for more Indigenous owned products on shelves."

Being a finalist in two categories at the Supply Nation Awards, according to Mr Bray, is a result of a credible plan, legitimacy and trust in the eco system, individual leadership and team members willing to roll up their sleeves up to get involved.

"Personally, the opportunity here is proven with what we are already doing," he said.

"My dream, is that what we are doing becomes a 'business as usual' activity and not confined to RAP, make it core business and something for all of us to be really proud of."

Winners will be announced at the Supply Nation Connect 2025 Gala Awards Dinner, which will be held at ICC Sydney on Gadigal Land on Thursday 21 August.