SONIA SADIQ GANDHI
CEO, Gandhi Creations | Founder of FOMA
Sonia is the Founder and CEO of Gandhi Creations Pty Ltd, a multi-award-winning events enterprise with over a decade of success. Renowned for designing and delivering sustainable projects, Gandhi Creations strengthens economic, diplomatic, and cultural connections for its clients.
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With vast experience in strategic event management for both public and private sectors across the Asia-Pacific region, Gandhi Creations’ core strength is its robust network across government and industry.
Sonia also serves on the board of Multicultural NSW and is an Australia Day Ambassador. Through her work, she actively promotes a more inclusive Australia by engaging with multicultural communities. Having led over 600 events, Sonia has created platforms for international idea exchange, cultural diplomacy, and strengthened foreign investment and trade.​​
foma AWARDS JURY
charlotte smith
Fashion Anthropologist
Charlotte, a 'Globe Trotting Fashion Anthropologist,' is a social and cultural commentator, author, speaker, and curator. In 2004, she inherited a remarkable collection of vintage garments from her godmother, Doris Darnell, along with notes documenting the stories behind them—transforming the collection into a record of international social history. Charlotte explores fashion's history, social impact, and multicultural influences, celebrating identity and heritage through dress.​
Dean Boone
Director | Founder of Olsen Palmer
Dean, Founder of ØLSEN PALMER, brings over 30 years of expertise in creating memorable brand experiences across design, architecture, media, arts, and hospitality. Passionate about culture, place, and heritage, he integrates historic narratives into contemporary placemaking, celebrating the past while shaping the future.
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Helen Waldron
Member Relations and Head-NSW | Australian Industry Group
Helen Waldron, Head of Member Relations at Ai Group, has been with the organization since 2002, managing member relationships nationally and leading teams across Australia. Originally from Ireland, she has lived in the US and Hong Kong before settling in Australia. Helen played a pivotal role in advocating for members during the pandemic and remains dedicated to enhancing member services nationwide.
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Ireena kilic
CFO | Pro IT Pty Ltd
Ireena Kilic, CFO of PRO IT, oversees finance operations, growth, and risk management, playing a pivotal role in the company’s evolution into an industry leader. A dedicated community contributor, she supports schools, charities, and has served as a Justice of the Peace since 2002, making a lasting impact both professionally and philanthropically.
Natalie O'Brien
Former Investigative Reporter| Fairmax media
Natalie O’Brien is a multi-award-winning career journalist who has worked around Australia covering some of the country’s biggest stories for News Corporation and Fairfax media. ​Natalie has also lived and worked in Europe and the Middle East as a media adviser and consultant including to the United Nations. ​She is currently on the board of the Kennedy Foundation, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to excellence in journalism. ​
roger leong
Senior Collection Curator | Powerhouse Museum
Roger Leong, Senior Curator at the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences (MAAS) in Sydney, has been shaping the museum sector since 1990. With prior curatorial roles at the National Gallery of Australia, Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery, and National Gallery of Victoria, Roger has curated over 19 exhibitions spanning fashion, decorative arts, and Ballets Russes costumes. At MAAS since 2014, he leads the applied arts curators and spearheads the MAAS Centre for Fashion, fostering industry and audience engagement through the lens of design and history.
Crispin conroy AM
State Director | Department of Foreign Affairs
Mr. Conroy, formerly ICC Representative Director and Permanent Observer to the UN in Geneva, led ICC’s engagement with the UN, WTO, and global business and human rights strategy, while serving as a UN Gender Champion. A seasoned diplomat, he has held roles including Australian Ambassador to Chile, Nepal, and Deputy High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea, along with senior Austrade positions across Latin America and Italy.
Emma isaacs
Global CEO | Founder of Business Chicks
Emma Isaacs, founder of Business Chicks, became a business owner at 18, a property investor at 19, and a self-made millionaire by 23. Leading a global community across two continents, her team hosts over 100 events annually, featuring icons like Sir Richard Branson and Diane von Furstenberg. Author of Winging It and a mother of six, Emma champions living a full, purpose-driven life, inspiring thousands with her fearless energy and vision.
colleen tighe johnson
Founder of Buluuy Mirrii
As a Gomeroi fashion designer, Colleen uses her talents to harness the spirit of her Gomeroi ancestors and revive Gomeroi Dreaming Stories through each design. Her label, Buluuy Mirrii (Black Star in her Gamilaraay language) has been featured on international runways in Melbourne, New Zealand, Canada, and New York Fashion Week in Spring and Fall 2017.
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The label Buluuy Mirrii celebrates a range of Aboriginal talents. Commissioned Gomeroi artworks are transformed into fabric patterns by a Gomeroi graphic designer, printed on luxury fabrics and sewn into one-off garments. Her label, Buluuy Mirrii promotes and revives important aspects of Gomeroi culture in each runway show, allowing the international fashion audience to learn some of Gomeroi cultural richness through specially recorded Gomeroi soundtracks and voice overs which tell the stories behind each garment.
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CLICK HERE to read more about Colleen Tighe Johnson
Francis Wong
Organising Chairman | Australia ASEAN Business Forum
Francis Wong OAM FAICD moved to Adelaide from Brunei in 1988 and founded Encounter Australia, which he built into one of Australia’s leading inbound tourism companies. He is a prominent business and community figure in South Australia, sitting on several boards including Tourism Australia, Football Federation SA, the Women's and Children's Hospital Foundation SA and the Adelaide Festival Centre Foundation. He is also national president of the Australia Brunei Darussalam Business Council and patron of charity Sight for All.
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CLICK HERE to read more about Francis Wong.
Joseph LA Posta
CEO | Multicultural NSW
As the CEO of Multicultural NSW, Joseph is driven to improve access and services for our newest Australians. He is also passionate about supporting established communities to preserve and nourish their cultures and language.
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Since joining as CEO in January 2019, Joseph has overseen the delivery of Multicultural NSW’s strategic plan for 2021 to 2025 and the implementation of a new award for the language services business. In addition, our Multicultural NSW team has grown to 90 full-time staff and more than 1,300 interpreters and translators.
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CLICK HERE to read more about Joseph La Posta.
Prof. tim harcourt
new Industry Professor and Chief Economist
Tim Harcourt is the new Industry Professor and Chief Economist at the Institute for Public Policy and Governance (IPPG) at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS). Prof. Harcourt specialises in Australia’s economic engagement with the Global Economy particularly Asia, Latin America and Emerging Markets and has worked in both public policy and research roles in International Trade, Labour Markets, Climate Innovation and the Economics of Sport.
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Prof. Harcourt is passionate about making economics and international trade accessible to the whole community. Prof. Harcourt is also well known for his TV show The Airport Economist about his travels to over 60 countries to see what makes their economies tick and the potential trade opportunities with Australia.
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CLICK HERE to read more about Prof. Tim Harcourt.
Rebecca McPhee
Deputy Secretary | Investment NSW
Natalie O'Brien is a veteran journalist, editor, and media consultant with extensive experience across digital, print, and social media platforms. Currently a reporter with News Corp Australia, she has worked as an investigative reporter with Nine (Fairfax Media), contributing to The Sydney Morning Herald and The Sun-Herald. Natalie also held senior editorial roles at The Australian Newspaper, earning multiple awards for reporting on human rights, the environment, immigration, and the exploitation of women and children.
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With a background in international media relations, Natalie O'Brien has advised the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), the International Criminal Tribunal for Yugoslavia, and the UN Development Program. A regular speaker and panelist, she has participated in events such as the FBI Leadership in Counterterrorism and the Safeguarding Australia Conference. Natalie is also a Board Member of the Kennedy Awards Foundation.
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CLICK HERE to read more about Natalie O'Brien.
Prof. tim harcourt
new Industry Professor and Chief Economist
Tim Harcourt is the new Industry Professor and Chief Economist at the Institute for Public Policy and Governance (IPPG) at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS). Prof. Harcourt specialises in Australia’s economic engagement with the Global Economy particularly Asia, Latin America and Emerging Markets and has worked in both public policy and research roles in International Trade, Labour Markets, Climate Innovation and the Economics of Sport.
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Prof. Harcourt is passionate about making economics and international trade accessible to the whole community. Prof. Harcourt is also well known for his TV show The Airport Economist about his travels to over 60 countries to see what makes their economies tick and the potential trade opportunities with Australia.
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CLICK HERE to read more about Prof. Tim Harcourt.
Yvonne Weldon AM
Councillor | City of Sydney
Yvonne is an independent councillor and the first Aboriginal Councillor in the City of Sydney's 180-year history. She was born and raised in inner Sydney but maintains strong ties to her Wiradjuri homelands of Cowra and the Riverina areas of New South Wales.
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Yvonne was awarded the 2019 NSW Volunteer of the Year for the South Sydney Region and in 2022 was recognised as the NSW Aboriginal Woman of the Year and appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for her service to the Aboriginal community. She also recently published her debut novel, Sixty-Seven Days. The previously unpublished manuscript was shortlisted for the Queensland Literary Awards David Unaipon Award.
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CLICK HERE to read more about Yvone Weldon AM