Simone Kenmore is an exceptional force – a mother, an executive and a steadfast advocate for Indigenous businesses.
Leading Commonwealth Bank's Indigenous Business Banking, she balances the demands of a bustling family life with her partner and three boys while driving key strategic initiatives within one of Australia's largest financial institutions.
Her story is one of passion, resilience, and a deep-rooted commitment to community – shaped by her early years spent navigating between the contrasting worlds of Adelaide and the remote South Australian Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands.
This unique upbringing instilled in her a powerful sense of purpose, which she has carried into every stage of her professional journey, from grassroots community development to the boardrooms of corporate Australia.
The Power of kulila
Central to Simone's approach is the concept of "kulila", a Pitjantjatjara term meaning "to listen". For her, listening is not a passive act but an active commitment to understanding and respecting the needs and aspirations of Indigenous communities. "Kulila is a fundamental leadership skill that has served me well over my career," she says.
Simone's earliest memories are filled with experiences that shaped her path into advocacy and leadership. She recalls travelling with her family to the APY Lands from Adelaide when she was just five years old where she was taken into a white weatherboard hall filled with women engaged in mourning, a practice she would later understand as part of "sorry business", the traditional grieving and healing process for Aboriginal communities.
This experience, where she sat quietly on the lap of her grandmother amid the wailing and expressions of grief, was her first encounter with the cultural depth and communal connection of her people.
It was a moment that left a lasting impression on her, opening her eyes to the complex realities of her community's traditions and the stark contrast between her life in Adelaide and the experiences of her cousins living on country.
For Simone, this early exposure to "sorry business" deepened her resolve to listen, understand, and commit herself to advocating for her community throughout her life.
"We have to genuinely listen to the stories and experiences of our communities if we are to advocate effectively for them," she says.
Her journey from community-based roles to a corporate leadership position at CommBank is a testament to the power of listening deeply and acting with purpose.
A father's influence: The foundation of advocacy
Her father, George Kenmore, played a pivotal role in shaping her life and values. A member of the Stolen Generation, George endured the traumatic consequences of Australia's oppressive policies toward Aboriginal people. Despite this, he remained a staunch advocate for his community and passed on this commitment to Simone.
"Dad passed away a couple of years ago, and before he passed, I thanked him for giving me my purpose. He was a really strong advocate for his family on the APY Lands and the broader Aboriginal community across Australia. I always knew my purpose was to contribute to my community, it's always driven me."
His influence guided her as she pursued a career path initially aimed at accounting but soon diverted to community work, where she could more directly affect change.
Her father's resilience and teachings reinforced the importance of "kulila" in her own life: to listen, to learn, and to advocate from a place of genuine understanding. "Dad was a stockman in his early years, he always had a strong work ethic which served him well as a small-business owner later in life.
"Dad always gave back to community, it was embedded in his business model."
Transition to corporate leadership: A new chapter
After years of contributing to community development and advocacy across various sectors including health, education and disability and youth services, Simone made a significant transition to the corporate world by joining CommBank in 2022.
Her entry into the bank as the Executive Manager of Indigenous Business Banking marked the beginning of a new chapter –
one that would allow her to leverage the bank's platform for a broader impact.
"I'm still working for community, just in a different way," she notes, acknowledging that her role at CommBank enables her to drive systemic change from within one of Australia's most significant financial institutions.
CommBank's journey towards meaningful engagement with Indigenous communities began in earnest in 2008 when the bank launched its first Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). This marked the start of a dedicated effort to build stronger relationships with First Nations peoples – a commitment that has only deepened over time.
Building a foundation: CommBank's commitment to Indigenous communities
The bank launched its second RAP in 2009 and became a founding member of Supply Nation, a key partner in supporting Indigenous businesses.
Over the years, CommBank introduced numerous programs to support Indigenous communities, including the Indigenous Customer Assistance Line, a commitment to increase representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to 3 per cent and a cultural learning program for employees.
In 2019, CommBank strengthened its longstanding partnership with Supply Nation to support their Capability Hub, which provides targeted support and guidance to Indigenous businesses, and Supply Nation's corporate and government members to incorporate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses into their business operations, procurement processes and supply chains.
The journey continues with the introduction of the First Nations Reach program in 2024 to support financial inclusion and empowerment and access to banking for remote Indigenous Australians.
Simone's role has been pivotal to these efforts. As one of the founders and inaugural Co-Chair of CommBank's Indigenous Leadership Team (ILT), she has been instrumental in ensuring that Indigenous voices are included in decision-making processes at every level of the bank.
"I am really proud of the ILT, we meet regularly with our CEO and Group Executives to co-design better outcomes for our people and customers, it's important we are at the table with the key decision makers," she says.
"Part of my role at CommBank is to educate and advocate for change.
"It is really important for financial institutions to understand the impacts of past legislation on Indigenous businesses today; historically, Indigenous people were excluded from fully participating in the economy, leading to a lack of intergenerational wealth."
Connecting communities and corporate culture
For businesses looking to engage with CommBank, Simone highlights the importance of the bank's Indigenous Business Concierge, a specialist team
that works closely with Simone and has access to ongoing progressive cultural education to ensure safe and respectful interactions, who are uniquely positioned to support Indigenous businesses with accessing a range of financial solutions to accelerate growth and simplify their operations.
"We understand the importance of accessibility, culturally safe engagement and making sure our customers are informed about the products and services available to them."
More than providing financial services, Simone and the Indigenous Business Banking team are dedicated to fostering relationships and crafting solutions that meet the unique needs of Indigenous businesses.
"We've got a great team of experienced bankers championing these efforts," she adds.
Vision to build capacity and resilience
Looking ahead, CommBank remains committed to its vision of a thriving Indigenous business sector that is self-determined and resilient.
Simone envisions further expansion of support initiatives like the Indigenous Business Education Series, a partnership with Supply Nation to deliver business capacity-building workshops.
"There's so much opportunity to help our businesses grow," she says. "By
using our platforms to profile Indigenous businesses, we can help demonstrate that these are not just Indigenous businesses, but strong, industry leading businesses in their own right."
CommBank's focus on capacity building and financial literacy is designed to help Indigenous businesses overcome common challenges, such as cash flow management and access to capital.
"Our aim is to make sure Indigenous businesses not only survive but thrive," Simone notes, pointing to the bank's commitment to fostering economic empowerment.
Inspiring the next generation
For young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander professionals considering a career in the financial sector, Simone offers an encouraging perspective.
"There are lots of career opportunities at CommBank," she says. "You don't need a degree in finance or commerce. We have Indigenous people working in our cafes as chefs, in technology, procurement, human resources."
She believes the bank needs more people with community experience, not just bankers, to drive meaningful change.
"There is a place for Indigenous people of all ages and lived experiences at CommBank. We need people with diverse perspectives to help us grow and evolve as an organisation."
Listening for the future: A commitment to community and growth
Simone's journey is a powerful testament to the strength of purpose and the profound impact of one person's unwavering commitment to community and advocacy. At the core of her vision and leadership is the principle of "kulila" – to listen deeply and intentionally. "Listening is about understanding the lived experiences of our people and using that knowledge to guide our actions," she emphasises, illustrating how this concept has shaped her approach both within and outside the walls of CommBank.
As CommBank continues to deepen its engagement with Indigenous communities, Simone's leadership ensures that listening remains central to every effort – whether it's building trust, driving growth or fostering genuine partnerships.
She has helped create a space where voices are heard and respected, shaping solutions that are inclusive and responsive to the real needs of Indigenous businesses across our country.
Through her dedication, Simone is forging new pathways for collaboration, growth, and mutual respect between CommBank and the Indigenous communities it serves. Her work exemplifies a future where both the bank and the businesses it supports can grow and flourish together, creating a more equitable and prosperous Australia.
Simone, together with CommBank, stand as a bridge between corporate Australia and First Nations peoples, driving towards a future where Indigenous businesses are empowered, communities are self-determined, and the principles of listening and respect are woven into the fabric of all that they do.