Jawoyn and Wiradjuri woman, Kristal Kinsela, has been awarded the 2017 Aboriginal Woman of the Year Award for her work in education and training, organisational and workforce development, and supplier diversity working across government, corporate and not-for-profit sectors.
She has been recognised for her innovation and success in establishing her own consultancy to use her passion and skills to help corporate and government clients increase their productivity, performance and Indigenous engagement through coaching, training and facilitation.
Kristal has presented at international conferences, and advised the Australian Government on policies to foster social inclusion. In 2011 she provided mentorship to Aboriginal teenage girls through the Birpai Aboriginal Land Council. She has also run teenage motivational and leadership camps to educate young Aboriginal women about their rights, and the skills required to navigate society, prejudice and stereotypes. Kristal was recently announced the Sydney Ambassador for Indigenous Women in Business; a not for profit network to connect and support Indigenous women who run their own businesses. Kristal is a prime example of an Aboriginal woman paving her own career path and through determination and innovation, ensuring her own success and that of women she works with.
it’s recognition of my work and does give me greater motivation to continue doing the work I’m doing and making a difference
Speaking to NITV, Kristal was elated with the award and said, “it’s pretty unbelievable, I did not expect to win at all” with reference to all of the incredible finalists.
Kristal said that although she was overwhelmed, as is all of her very proud family, “it’s recognition of my work and does give me greater motivation to continue doing the work I’m doing and making a difference, it [the award] means I am on the right path.”
Kristal was joined by three other incredible finalists, including Bundjalung woman and the Director of Jarjum Centre Inc Maurita Cavanough, Wodi Wodi Elder and a driving force in the establishment of the Aboriginal Medical Service in Coomaditchi Aunty Joyce Donovan and NITV’s own Birri and Guugu Yimidhirr woman Tanya Orman who has worked for NITV for 10 years. NITV is very proud to say that Tanya is one of the youngest television executives in Australia, and one of only a handful of Aboriginal women in a leadership role in media. She regularly volunteers her time, including in her role as Chair of the Media Reconciliation Industry Network Group, a group of media organisations committed to the development of reconciliation and employment of Indigenous people in the media industry.
