GROUND-BREAKING INDIGENOUS PROGRAM TO BUILD A NEW GENERATION OF BUSINESS LEADERS LAUNCHED

Mawal

MAWAL LAUNCHES GROUND-BREAKING INDIGENOUS PROGRAM TO BUILD A NEW GENERATION OF BUSINESS LEADERS

• Program aims to develop the first ASX100 CEO who is Indigenous

Sydney, [20 October 2025]: Mawal has today launched a world-leading leadership program to develop a new generation of Indigenous business leaders with 60 full scholarships supported by blue-chip Australian companies.

Backed by BHP, Soul Patts, Ampol, Jarden and Indigenous Capital Limited, and supported by the University of Sydney and Senior Academic Advisors from the UNSW Business School, the program is designed to tackle one of corporate Australia’s most persistent gaps - Indigenous underrepresentation in senior commercial and leadership roles.

Mawal founder Brad Welsh, the first Aboriginal CEO and Managing Director of an ASX-listed company said the program was designed to equip Indigenous Australians with the skills to secure senior corporate roles with material financial and commercial accountability.

“For a culture to thrive, it must be able to manage capital and risk which is what our people have done for 65,000 years. Mawal is preparing Indigenous Australians to do exactly that - lead the balance sheet not just NAIDOC week celebrations,” Mr Welsh said.

“We need the next wave of reform for Indigenous Australia. The 1967 generation delivered recognition, and the 1990s generation delivered accountability. It’s time for a commercial generation that owns, manages and grows assets for the future.”

Program participants will undertake a comprehensive leadership development pathway, including:

• Executive-level mentoring from Australia’s leading corporate figures;
• State-of-the-art Indigenous-led Ai learning journeys building core leadership, financial management and decision-making skills; and
• Exposure to the very latest in technology and balance sheet challenges across the country to build confidence for Indigenous talent considering this pathway.

Todd Barlow, Managing Director and CEO of Soul Patts said, “At Soul Patts, we believe leadership should reflect the full breadth of Australia’s talent. Mawal’s program is a bold and necessary step toward building Indigenous representation in senior executive roles. We’re proud to support an initiative that equips First Nations leaders to shape strategy, drive performance, and lead with commercial impact.”

Sarah Rennie, co-CEO of Jarden said, “At Jarden, we believe diverse leadership strengthens organisations and creates better outcomes. Partnering with Mawal allows us to contribute meaningfully to closing the representation gap in corporate Australia while supporting emerging leaders who will shape the future of business."

Roger Allen, Director of Indigenous Capital Limited said, “Activating the Indigenous estate isn’t just social progress - it’s a productivity imperative for the nation. Mawal is developing investment-ready leaders who will translate cultural capital into commercial capability and long-term economic value.”

Indigenous professionals can now apply to be part of Mawal’s leadership course or apply for a scholarship to participate at www.mawal.com.au. Leaders across corporate Australia (Indigenous and non-Indigenous) are also encouraged to sign up to become a mentor through the program. 

Mawal also specialises in executive and board placements, connecting high-performing Indigenous talent to senior decision-making roles across mainstream industries.

About Mawal

Mawal was founded to bridge the gap between the world’s oldest living culture and the modern world of capital and risk management. Mawal’s mission is to develop Indigenous talent and empower Indigenous communities by facilitating meaningful participation and ownership in projects on their lands. By combining a deep understanding of Indigenous culture with sound commercial practices, Mawal is seeking to create opportunities for sustainable development and long-term wealth creation.

About Brad Welsh

With over 25 years of experience in mining, politics, and government, Brad is one of Australia's most senior Indigenous business leaders. He is Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Energy Resources of Australia, an ASX-listed mining company responsible for one of the world’s largest and most complex mine-site rehabilitation processes. Prior to joining ERA, Brad was the Chief Advisor Closure Strategy Non-Managed Assets with Rio Tinto and General Manager of the Weipa bauxite operation in Northern Queensland - the first Indigenous general manager of operations in Rio Tinto’s history. He is also a non-executive director of ASX-listed NIB Holdings Ltd and a director of NIB Health Funds Limited. Brad is a proud member of the Muruwari tribe from north-western New South Wales and grew up in the Redfern Aboriginal community in Sydney.

Media contact: Ben Mitchell 0419 850 212