Speakers

Raquel Todd is a proud Aboriginal woman from the Banjima and Kariyarra language groups in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. She is the Founder and Managing Director of Blak Line Industries, which is Australia's first and only 100% Aboriginal-owned signage, print, and branding business with in-house manufacturing capability. Todd's business is grounded in her cultural and community connections, aiming to create real economic opportunities while deeply ingrained in culture, community, and pride.

Renata leads the Destination Development division, which focuses on the supply-side of tourism, working with the public and private sectors to encourage the development of incredible tourism experiences and destinations that create memorable holidays. The division is responsible for Aboriginal tourism, workforce development, cruise tourism attraction, policy and planning and destination development, and includes a case management team to help significant private sector developments navigate planning approvals. Renata has around 30 years' experience in the tourism industry working in visitor servicing, marketing and destination development. She is a past CEO of Australia’s Golden Outback regional tourism organisation, interim CEO of the WA Indigenous Tourism Operators Council, and was Tourism Policy Advisor for former State Tourism Ministers. She joined Tourism WA in 2009.

Sébastien Desnoyers-Picard is an Indigenous leader, entrepreneur, and global tourism strategist from the Wendat Nation in Québec, Canada. A former elected Chief of his Nation, he has dedicated more than 20 years to advancing Indigenous-led tourism and economic development that strengthens communities, protects culture and lands, and creates meaningful opportunities for future generations.

Jean is the Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Yatista Consulting Group, a strategic advisory firm based in Wendake, Québec, Canada, dedicated to advancing Indigenous tourism and territorial development. Jean also serves as Director of Development at Destination Original Indigenous Tourism (DO-IT), a global alliance bringing together leading Indigenous tourism organisations from Canada, Aotearoa New Zealand and the United States. With more than 22 years of international experience, Jean has contributed to over 70 projects across Latin America, the Caribbean and Asia, working alongside Indigenous organisations and community leaders, governments, international organisations and development partners. Jean’s expertise spans Indigenous-led tourism, sustainable and territorial development, protected area management, destination planning, governance, visitor management, capacity development, monitoring and evaluation, and international cooperation. Jean continues to collaborate internationally with Indigenous tourism organisations and leaders to advance Indigenous-led frameworks, partnerships and development initiatives. Throughout Jean’s work, there is a strong focus on Indigenous self-determination, rights, cultural integrity and Indigenous knowledge. Jean views tourism as a strategic tool for strengthening Indigenous economies, communities, cultures and territories, with an emphasis on long-term, locally driven and sustainable impact.

Boodjar. Kaartidjin. Moort. The Nyungar trilogy that provides the basis for Len Collard’s lifetime of work - to create an enduring legacy of cultural knowledge across Nyungar boodjar and beyond. Len’s passion is to revive and place Nyungar kaartidjin (knowledge) held by the moort (families) of this boodjar (land) centre stage again, by leading the way in cultural diplomacy, cracking the codes of Nyungar placenames, and recolonising this land. Len is a highly respected Whadjuk Nyungar Elder and Traditional Owner of the Perth Metropolitan area and surrounding lands, rivers, and ocean. He has dedicated over 3 decades to teaching, leading and advocating for Australia’s Aboriginal people, including developing the first ever digital Nyungar language database of over 25,000 words, being Director of Moodjar Holdings – a a cultural consultancy business running Nyungar naming, decoding, and cultural narrative programs, and holding positions on Boards including SMYL, AIATSIS, and the Indigenous Business Council. In 2023 Len’s contribution to bringing Nyungar education and knowledge to the forefront was recognised through two honorary academic titles - a Doctor of Education at Edith Cowan University, and Emeritus Professor at the University of Western Australia

Jo-Anne Driessens is a descendant of the Koa, Kuku Yalanji people. Bringing three decades of working across the GLAM sector as an arts worker and artist, Jo-Anne continues to guide and advocate for artists alongside the dedicated team at Indigenous Art Code, a national not-for-profit organisation that empowers Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, supporting them to make informed decisions and achieve fair and transparent commercial opportunities for their art.

Temali Howard is a proud Jaru and Kija woman, entrepreneur, and community advocate based in Kununurra on Miriwoong Country in Western Australia's East Kimberley. As the founder of Blak Tapas Impact Group, Temali has created an innovative business that brings together food, culture, and community empowerment, providing a culturally safe and welcoming space that celebrates Aboriginal heritage while creating pathways to employment, skills development, and confidence. With more than 20 years of experience in youth justice and education, Temali has dedicated her career to supporting young people, women, and communities. Her work is driven by a passion for creating grassroots solutions that strengthen self-determination and ensure First Nations people are leading, shaping, and benefiting from opportunities within their communities. Temali is a strong advocate for the ethical and community-led use of native foods and is committed to ensuring Aboriginal people are recognised not only as suppliers, but as leaders, decision-makers, and storytellers within Australia's growing bush food and cultural tourism sectors. Through both Blak Tapas and Mararljaru Aboriginal Corporation, she champions First Nations businesses, supports leadership development, and helps create culturally strong pathways into employment, enterprise, and tourism.

Helen is the Founding Director of the Northern Territory Aboriginal Tourism Council (NTATC). She is an Arrernte woman from Central Australia, and she has played a significant leadership role in Aboriginal tourism development in the Northern Territory for more than two decades. Helen is the co-founder of Banubanu Beach Retreat in Arnhem Land, an award-winning Aboriginal tourism experience developed in partnership with Traditional Owners. She previously served as Chair of the Northern Territory Aboriginal Tourism Advisory Council and as a Tourism NT Commissioner, contributing to policy development and industry strategy across the Territory. Through her work with NTATC, Helen is helping establish a strong Aboriginal-led peak body to support tourism operators and strengthen cultural and economic outcomes for Aboriginal communities.

Simon's journey in tourism began in 2011 when he and his wife started a small walking tour company in Western Australia. Over the next decade they grew the company from two people, to one of Australia's largest tour operators and eventually became part of the Intrepid family in 2022, through acquisition. With a strong background in Product and Operations, Simon has lead the Australian DMC through an expansion into all corners of country, and overseen a dramatic improvement of customer feedback scores. He has a deep knowledge of the Australian industry, as well as first hand knowledge of what it takes to run great trips in all areas of Australia. When not building or operating touring product, Simon can be found behind a guitar or drum kit, or on one of Fremantle's beaches with his wife and two young sons.

Daina Walker is a Wirangu woman who lives and works on Bundjalung Country in Northern New South Wales. With more than 25 years' experience in the tourism industry, she has built a career spanning tourism, aviation, sales, marketing and business development before founding her own First Nations-owned consultancy, Diversified Business Skills. Drawing on both her extensive industry experience and qualifications in tourism, business, training, digital marketing and social media, Daina now works with tourism operators, businesses and communities to build digital capability, strengthen marketing strategies and create sustainable growth opportunities. Passionate about supporting Aboriginal tourism, Daina's work centres on helping operators turn powerful cultural stories into effective digital marketing strategies. She believes that when story meets strategy, Aboriginal tourism businesses can connect with the right audiences, grow sustainably, and share culture in ways that are authentic, respectful and impactful.