Jenni Walke, founder and First Nations business owner of Elephant in the Room Consulting (EITRC), does not steer away from real conversations about values, culture and inclusion.
In fact, she brings them to the fore and helps organisations address the figurative elephant in the room when it comes to being genuinely inclusive and people focussed.
We met up with Jenni at the Indigenous Workforce Connect Conference—hosted by Department of Employment, Small Business and Training and Department of Women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Partnership and Multiculturalism—and learned more about this Brisbane-based success story.
Q: Firstly, who’s your Mob?
A: I’m a proud Bundjalung woman from Northern Rivers NSW. My family, on my mother’s side come from Cabbage Tree Island.
My culture walks with me in everything I do.
Whether I’m in Meanjin (Brisbane), where our head office is based, or working with clients across the US, Canada, or Southeast Asia—my connection to Country, community, and culture is always present. It’s not just part of my story; it’s the lens I lead through. Wherever I go, I bring Indigenous wisdom, cultural intelligence and purpose-led leadership to the table.
Q: Your business focusses on empowering organisations to create inclusive and culturally safe workplaces. What inspired you to start this journey, and how has your cultural background influenced your approach?
A: I founded Elephant in the Room Consulting in 2017 with just $43 and 3 guiding values:
From personal experience, I’ve seen how systems often exclude Indigenous voices, not out of malice, but through unconscious bias and outdated structures. I wanted to change that.
Our work is about more than consulting—it’s about catalysing change. We help organisations move beyond box-ticking and into brave, values-led action. My cultural background and ways of being and doing, informs everything. From how we design programs to how we hold space for truth-telling, empathy, and transformation.
One of the most powerful tools I use in our sessions is weaving. It’s more than a cultural practice; it’s a way to break down barriers.
When we teach people to weave, it opens their hearts and minds, and invites honest conversation, reflection, and connection. It’s grounding, it’s healing and it creates space for deep listening. That’s where real learning happens.
Q: Elephant in the Room Consulting has expanded its impact internationally. Can you share some of the challenges and successes you’ve experienced in taking your business global?
A: Elephant in the Room Consulting’s first clients were from Germany, Canada and the US, and we were embraced by business owners internationally before building our client base here in Australia.
Expanding Elephant in the Room Consulting’s clients globally has been a wild, wonderful ride. We’ve built partnerships with the Native American Business Association and Digital Sonder, launched our Empire Builders program in Sedona (Arizona), and are expanding into Southeast Asia. It’s not always easy, navigating compliance, currencies, and cultural nuance takes work, but the reward is seeing business owners, teams and Indigenous communities connect across borders, share wisdom, and build inclusive economies.
And, now, we’re taking that impact to the world stage in a big way. I’ve just been named a finalist in 4 categories at the global Stevie Awards for Women in Business, and I’ll be heading to New York City for the gala in November. Even more surreal, I’ll be featured on a billboard in Times Square.
It’s an extraordinary moment that fuses legacy with visibility, offering brilliant, larger-than-life proof that Indigenous excellence deserves the spotlight. Being recognised on the global stage is more than an achievement—it’s a celebration of the values, vision, and voice we bring to the world.
We’re not just exporting services, we’re leading with purpose, and proving that Indigenous business is bold, innovative, and ready to shape the future.
Q: You’ve referenced The University of Queensland's Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Engagement) Professor Bronwyn Fredericks’ powerful quote about being an accomplice rather than an ally. Why did this resonate with you, and how does it reflect the mission and values of Elephant in the Room Consulting?
A: This is more than a quote, it’s a challenge. A call to action.
Being an accomplice means moving beyond symbolism to action: showing up, speaking out, and standing with us, not just behind us. It’s about shifting from waving the proverbial flag to engaging meaningfully. Listening deeply, challenging systems, and taking tangible steps that create lasting change. True allyship becomes action when it’s grounded in courage, accountability and shared purpose.
At EITRC, we challenge performative inclusion and invite organisations into real, relational change. Our ethos is built on impact, integrity and innovation and that means naming the uncomfortable, holding space for growth, and embedding cultural intelligence into the DNA of business.
Q: You were the recipient of the 2024 First Nations Exporter of the Year Award. What does this recognition mean to you and your team at Elephant in the Room Consulting?
A: To be completely honest, winning awards means more than just the LinkedIn post and another shiny new trophy on the shelf – it’s a testament to the power of Indigenous excellence.
This award celebrates our journey from a $43 startup to a million-dollar consultancy with global reach. It confirms our belief that cultural intelligence isn’t just valuable, it’s magnetic. For my team, it’s a moment of pride. For our community, it’s proof that our stories, our strategies, and our spirit belong on the world stage.
Q: What advice would you give to aspiring Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander entrepreneurs looking to make a difference in their communities and beyond?
A: My advice would be ‘lead with culture’.
Don’t try to fit into systems that were never designed for us. Reshape them. Your story, your values, and your way of doing business are your greatest strengths. They are your superpower.
Success isn’t just measured in profit, it’s measured in impact, legacy, and the people you lift as you rise. At Elephant in the Room, we live by this and it's how we do business.
The way we make a difference and give back through our partnership with the Yalari Foundation—committing 5 per cent of our revenue to support educational scholarships for Indigenous students – because leadership starts early, and opportunity changes everything.
We walk our talk by prioritising Indigenous businesses in our supply chain, partnering with Indigenous consultants, and mentoring emerging founders through programs like Empire Builders and other capability initiatives. We proudly promote Indigenous excellence on platforms such as the Queensland Government’s Indigenous Business Connect, helping entrepreneurs grow with confidence, clarity, and cultural integrity.
So, if you’re dreaming big, know this: you don’t need permission to lead. You already carry the wisdom of our ancestors. Walk with it. Own it. And bring others with you as you rise.
Last reviewed:03 February 2026
Last modified:03 February 2026
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) licence
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