Some people enter your life quietly and change it forever. Jaynaya Winmar is one of those people. She is the kind of woman who shows up with heart, humour and purpose and reminds you of your own strength when you have forgotten it.

Born and raised on Ballardong Noongar Country in Western Australia and now living on Wurundjeri Country in Naarm (Melbourne), Jaynaya is grounded in culture and community. She walks through the world with deep conviction, driven by a belief that our people deserve to lead, thrive and be seen in spaces where we have too often been overlooked.

This year's Indigenous Business Month theme, Strength Through Collaboration, could have been written about her. She does not just talk about collaboration, she lives it.

"Collaboration has been at the heart of everything I do," Ms Winmar said.

"Personally, I have been carried and lifted by an incredible sisterhood of Indigenous women who remind me that leadership isn't a solo journey, it's collective. Through Blakbone Sistahood, we've built a space where women can lean on each other, share knowledge, and amplify one another's voices.

"These partnerships aren't just about projects, they're about survival, empowerment, and legacy. Strength through collaboration means recognising that when one of us rises, we all rise."

Through her business Blakbone Sistahood, Jaynaya is changing the way the world sees Indigenous leadership. A proudly Indigenous-owned consultancy, Blakbone Sistahood delivers employment, recruitment, and engagement strategies that empower both community and corporate Australia to work better together. It creates pathways for Blak women to grow, lead, and stand tall in business while staying deeply connected to culture.

"Blakbone Sistahood was born from a simple truth, I needed a space where I could see myself reflected and I knew other women did too," Ms Winmar explained.

"Too often, we were walking into rooms where our voices were missing, or worse, silenced. I wanted to create a sisterhood that not only acknowledged our challenges but celebrated our strength, resilience, and brilliance."

That sisterhood is not just something she talks about, it is something she lives. When I was going through one of the most challenging times of my life, stressed, not eating, and barely holding it together, Jaynaya jumped on a plane without hesitation. She came north, kept me grounded, fed, and focused, reminding me who I was and why I started. Because of that, I found the strength to keep going and to win my seat in the recent local government council election in Darwin.

That is what we do. That is Blakbone Sistahood in action.

We show up.

We bring the energy.

We pick each other up when it matters most.

Her leadership extends far beyond home. Jaynaya was selected for the Distinguished Humphrey Fellowship Program in the United States, an international fellowship focused on advancing the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. During her time there, she worked alongside global leaders and policymakers to champion Indigenous self-determination, cultural protection, and land and resource rights. That experience strengthened her global perspective and deepened her commitment to ensuring that Indigenous voices are heard everywhere decisions are made.

Now, as the Australian Ambassador for the 2025 World Indigenous Business Forum (WIBF), she continues that global mission.

"Culture keeps me grounded wherever I go," she said.

"Whether I'm in Austin, Canada, Washington, or here at home, I carry my Noongar Ballardong identity with me. It guides how I speak, how I connect, and how I build relationships. Our mob do business differently, it's relational, not transactional. We prioritise trust, reciprocity, and long-term benefit over quick wins. That is something the global business world can learn from us.

"Success is measured not just in dollars, but in how communities thrive, how land and culture are respected, and how future generations are set up to succeed."

When asked what is next, Jaynaya's response is both powerful and pragmatic.

"The next frontier is shifting from participation to ownership," she said.

"It is not enough for our people to be included in someone else's economy. We need to own the means of production, investment, and innovation."

And when she speaks about legacy, her words come straight from the heart.

"Legacy, for me, is about leaving doors open and making sure they stay open for the next generation," Ms Winmar said.

"You do not have to shrink yourself to succeed. You can lead unapologetically with culture at the centre and still thrive on the world stage. If my journey shows anything, I hope it is that we are cycle breakers and path makers, creating a world where our daughters and sons can dream bigger than we ever imagined."

For me, and for so many others, Jaynaya Winmar is more than a business leader. She is a sister, a powerhouse, and a reminder that success means nothing unless we bring others along with us.

She leads with culture. She leads with love. And she leads with strength through collaboration.

If you are ever in Melbourne, reach out to Jaynaya and experience her warmth, wisdom, and passion for empowering others. And if you are heading to the World Indigenous Business Forum, make sure to find her there, standing proudly for her people on the global stage.