Connect 2025 event will inspire Indigenous business
Supply Nation’s annual flagship event Connect 2025 is returning to Sydney on Gadigal Land next week with two inspiring days connecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses, corporate organisations and government departments.
The theme this year is Beyond the Horizon, and after celebrating 15 years of Supply Nation, there organisation is looking to where land, sea and sky meet – ready to break new ground and shape the future of Indigenous business.
The Knowledge Forum brings together pioneers of supplier diversity with Australia’s leading Indigenous entrepreneurs and business voices – creating a space for important conversations relevant to the sector and the broader Australian landscape.
The Indigenous Business Tradeshow provides the opportunity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses to showcase the calibre, diversity and vibrancy of their products and services to some of Australia’s leading corporate organisations and government departments.
Guests will gather to celebrate the success of the supplier diversity community with live performances from First Nations artists at a gala awards dinner.
And the winners of the Supplier Diversity Awards will be announced, with some amazing finalists nominated.
The 2025 finalists for the Certified Supplier of the Year are Ethan Indigenous, Hardy Fencing and Pipeline talent.
Developed by the David Liddiard Group in 2018, Ethan Indigenous aims to improve digital literacy capabilities and increase the numbers of Indigenous youth involved in the ICT industry.
Hardy Fencing is an Aboriginal-owned fencing and civil construction services company providing employment opportunities for Aboriginal peoples in remote Central Australia.
Pipeline Talent is an Aboriginal-owned executive recruitment agency committed to increasing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representation in leadership roles across Australia.
Amy Crookes, Sam Muit and Shinead Coleman are the nominees for the Supplier Diversity Advocate of the Year award.
Amy Crookes serves as EY’s Asia-Pacific ESG Services Leader. She is dedicated to spearheading supplier diversity initiatives and the advancement and empowerment of Indigenous businesses.
A proud Wiradjuri man, Sam Muir is Coles Group’s Indigenous Affairs Manager. Experienced in governance and strategy, Sam advocates for Indigenous participation and supplier diversity.
Shinead Coleman is the Procurement Sustainability Manager within Transport for NSW’s Finance, Technology and Commercial Division, responsible for integrating supplier diversity outcomes across the procurement portfolio.
Corporate Member of the Year finalists are BAE Systems, CPB Contractors and Woolworths.
Indigenous Businesswoman of the Year nominees are Jadah Pleiter, Nicole Appleton and Tammy O’Connor.
Jadah Pleiter is a Palyku Traditional Owner and Director, Founder and CEO of Panku Safety Solutions, a personal protective equipment provider. She has spearheaded the growth and success of the business.
Nicole Appleton is the Founder and Director of NLA Logistics, a women-led, Aboriginal-owned trucking company. She drives initiatives that create employment opportunities for women and Indigenous people in the industry.
Tammy O’Connor, a proud Nyiyaparli Palyku woman, is the Founder and Managing Director of KingKira Group in Perth, focusing on sustainable growth, community empowerment and innovative environmental stewardship.
Nominees for Registered Supplier of the Year are Jabil Commercial Diving, Mob Jobs and TVN On-Country.
Jabil Commercial Diving specialises in underwater construction, maintenance, and inspection services for commercial and industrial sectors. They offer training, mentoring and employment pathways for Indigenous communities.
Mob Jobs is an Aboriginal-owned recruitment, corporate development, and training service business, founded in response to a critical gap in workplace cultural safety and Indigenous recruitment and retention.
TVN On-Country is a majority-owned Indigenous enterprise, delivering tailored construction, project management and procurement services. Their vision is to be a driver of generational change for Indigenous people.
Other awards include Procurement professional of the year, government member of the year, the Sam Tjengala Reuben Award recognising Young Entrepreneur of the Year, Supplier Diversity Partnership of the Year, the Indigenous Exporter of the Year and the Dr Dean Jarrett Award recognising Outstanding Impact.
Connect 25
Wednesday 20 August 2025
Knowledge Forum | 8:30am – 4:30pm
Knowledge Forum Networking Reception | 4:30pm – 6:30pm
Thursday 21 August 2025
Indigenous Business Tradeshow | 8:30am – 3:30pm
Gala Awards Dinner | 6pm – late
