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Sam Murray, CEO of the Indigenous Desert Alliance, brings a powerful blend of desert wisdom and modern leadership to her role in protecting one-third of Australia's landscape. As a Yilka/Wongutha/Nyoongar woman who grew up in Cosmo Newberry, Sam's connection to country runs deep, informing every aspect of her work supporting ranger groups across 2.7 million square kilometres of arid lands.

What makes Sam's leadership journey fascinating is how she draws strength from her experience as a single mother raising two independent daughters. The decision-making capabilities she developed as a parent have translated directly into her ability to lead a complex organization. Yet she still brings that nurturing "desert mum" energy to her team, balancing care with the broader perspective required of a CEO.

Throughout our conversation, Sam highlights the critical environmental work being done in Australia's desert regions. Rangers are protecting unique wildlife, such as the elusive marsupial mole and the rare night parrot, while battling invasive species and adapting to increasingly harsh climate impacts. What becomes clear is the profound irony that desert communities face the most severe consequences of climate change despite contributing minimally to its causes.

Perhaps most inspiring is Sam's philosophy on environmental stewardship. Rather than becoming paralyzed by overwhelming challenges, she advocates for focused, purposeful action on what's within our control. "Desert mob are out there every day," she explains, tackling one small area at a time with unwavering commitment. This approach offers wisdom for anyone feeling helpless about environmental protection – focus on what you can do, celebrate small wins, and keep moving forward.

Sam also extends a beautiful invitation to non-Indigenous people seeking deeper connection with country. By slowing down to notice nature even in urban settings, learning about traditional owners, and developing relationships with specific places, anyone can begin to understand the profound connection Aboriginal people maintain with their country.

Ready to support Indigenous-led conservation? Learn more about the crucial work of desert rangers and find ways to contribute to protecting Australia's heart and soul – the magnificent desert landscapes that hold ancient knowledge and extraordinary biodiversity.

Ember Connect Live is a free membership community for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander women. It’s a living and breathing meeting place where we can gather, share stories and experiences, learn, and grow.

Ember Connect Live also provides another space where non-Indigenous women (our Allies), can learn, grow and be part of meaningful conversations.

Our platform is unique because we provide separate spaces for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander women and non-Indigenous women to connect and communicate but importantly, we provide a THIRD space where we can all learn and grow together.

Join Ember Connect now, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

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Michelle Evans, Director of the Dilin Duwa Centre for Indigenous Business Leadership, shares her remarkable journey from theatre director to business academic and reveals groundbreaking data on Australia's Indigenous business ecosystem.

• Indigenous businesses generate $16.1 billion in revenue annually, comparable to Australia's timber industry
• 13,693 active Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses employ 116,795 people and pay $4.2 billion in wages
• The Indigenous business ecosystem is deeply interconnected, with businesses supporting and supplying each other
• Key challenges include access to business education, capital investment, and developing networks with non-Indigenous financial institutions
• Evans created the Murra Indigenous Business Masterclass program, now in its 16th generation
• Indigenous businesses deliver benefits beyond economics: employment opportunities, self-determination, intergenerational wealth, and cultural knowledge sharing
• Evans emphasizes the importance of mentorship and collaborative data building to showcase Indigenous economic contributions
• The Indigenous business sector aims to shift away from disadvantage discourse toward recognizing its sophisticated leadership and unique value

Ember Connect Live is a free membership community for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander women. It’s a living and breathing meeting place where we can gather, share stories and experiences, learn, and grow.

Ember Connect Live also provides another space where non-Indigenous women (our Allies), can learn, grow and be part of meaningful conversations.

Our platform is unique because we provide separate spaces for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander women and non-Indigenous women to connect and communicate but importantly, we provide a THIRD space where we can all learn and grow together.

Join Ember Connect now, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Send a text

When childhood friends Katie Kiss and Liza Fraser-Gooda-McGuire sit down to yarn, something magical happens. Their conversation weaves through shared memories of growing up Aboriginal in Rockhampton – the beef capital of Australia – where racism existed alongside a profound sense of community that shaped them both.

Katie, now the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, lost her mother at six and was raised by her non-Indigenous father with the support of an entire community. "I had many mums looking out for us, many dads looking out for us," she shares, describing how elders ensured she maintained cultural connections despite her loss. Liza, a businesswoman and foundation director, grew up watching her grandmother and other community leaders advocate for change while creating safe spaces for children to gather.

Their stories reveal the power of what they call "the village" – interconnected families who provided meals, beds, guidance, and love to all children within their community. This network enabled both women to overcome significant challenges. Katie candidly discusses becoming a mother at 17, balancing education, work, and parenting with the support of mother-in-laws who "treated me like their own daughter" regardless of relationships with their sons.

The conversation takes a profound turn when discussing current challenges. Katie's nationwide consultations reveal widespread concerns about youth justice, housing crises, and especially the intensification of racism following the 2023 Voice Referendum. Katie shares her son's heartbreaking question after the referendum: "How do I walk into that space every day knowing they all voted against me....?"

Despite these challenges, their message remains one of hope and determination. Both women feel guided by ancestors – "I feel that spirit all the time," Katie says, describing how elders reach out with support precisely when needed. Their advice centres on reclaiming resilience:

“Your resilience is yours,” Katie says. “Use it fully to reach your goals.”

Subscribe to hear more powerful conversations with women who are creating change and building stronger communities through connection, wisdom, and unwavering determination.

Ember Connect Live is a free membership community for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander women. It’s a living and breathing meeting place where we can gather, share stories and experiences, learn, and grow.

Ember Connect Live also provides another space where non-Indigenous women (our Allies), can learn, grow and be part of meaningful conversations.

Our platform is unique because we provide separate spaces for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander women and non-Indigenous women to connect and communicate but importantly, we provide a THIRD space where we can all learn and grow together.

Join Ember Connect now, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.