OUR STORY
About us
Koorie Women Mean Business (KWMB) Incorporated is a proactive organisation with a memberships of Aboriginal women living in regional, rural, and metropolitan Victoria. KWMB provides support to women and girls in their "business" at the community level.
KWMB specialises in developing partnership projects, identifying business opportunities and offering professional development services. We continue to be guided by our membership in undertaking projects, which focus on issues that sustain women and their business through a variety of formats women’s camps, luncheons, seminars, training and development.
Copyright 2003. Artwork - by Treahna Hamm.
Exhale Series
Proudly presented by Koorie Women Mean Business (KWMB), Exhale is a series of virtual forums and webinars aimed to improve business viability and growth for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women in regional Victoria.
Message from the Committee of Management
Koorie Women Mean Business Incorporated (KWMB) would like to acknowledge all those individuals and organisation’s that have assisted us in preparing our map for the next five years.
Since KWMB was established, it has successfully weaved collaborative community projects and goodwill towards women’s aspirations, views and projects. These initiatives have brought together partners from various Victorian communities, Government and non-Government agencies, businesses, philanthropists and the general community.
The real challenges for KWMB as it evolves into an organisation that is even stronger in its support to women and their ‘business’ throughout Victoria.
The KWMB Board has witnessed an increased anxiety among Indigenous women about developments and trends in Victoria. High unemployment; additional layers to community structures; reduced standards of community service; lack of support for leadership development; racism and social tensions are all placing an increased strain on local communities. We recognise the vital role women play in creating practical solutions to these issues.
KWMB works in partnership arrangements with local women, their communities and supporting stakeholders to address their ‘business’ issues in ways they feel are right for them. To this end, we have worked towards clarifying causes of anxiety, barriers to aspirations and potential solutions. We have also provided practical support to Indigenous women in the pursuit of economic independence and other projects they feel address well being for themselves, their families and communities.
We look forward to increasing our partnership initiatives with Victorian communities as we continue to provide a strong base from which women’s views and aspirations can find a voice and practical support.
Leanne Miller, Executive Director
Our Team
Meet the strong First Nations women who make up our team.
Leanne Miller
Executive Director
Leanne is a woman of the Dhulanyagen Ulupna Clan, Yorta Yorta nation and Executive Director of Koorie Women Mean Business. She has an extensive advocacy background working in indigenous, legal and women’s sectors, and has represented Australian Indigenous Women at the United Nations, New York, as well as undertaking a UN Fellowship in Geneva.
Jaynaya Winmar
Project Manager
A proud Noongar/Balladong woman from Quairading in the wheatbelt region of Western Australia, Jaynaya has a strong background across the Employment and Recruitment sectors through partnerships throughout the Education and Employment across regional and remote areas within Western Australia and Victoria.
Sofii Mara
Communications Manager
Sofii Mara is a Yuin/Wiradjuri woman born and raised on Gadigal land. She is the Founder of INCOMMON, a creative agency specialising in Digital Transformation and Branding. She is passionate about entrepreneurship and is the Cofounder of Dream Lucid, a festival to inspire and nurture the next generation of Indigenous changemakers.
LISTEN TO THE PODCAST
Meet Leanne Miller,
Executive Director of KWMB
In this podcast Standing Strong Together celebrates the amazing Leanne Miller for International Women's Day 2020. Leanne is a woman of the Dhulanyagen Ulupna Clan, Yorta Yorta nation and Executive Director of Koorie Women Mean Business.
She has an extensive advocacy background working in indigenous, legal and women’s sectors, and has represented Australian Indigenous Women at the United Nations, New York, as well as undertaking a UN Fellowship in Geneva.
Leanne comes from a line of strong women, her grandmother and mother are both highly respected Aboriginal leaders. Leanne has made significant contributions over many years to Aboriginal communities in the areas of economic development, employment, community development, tourism and the promotion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women in business.
She is passionate about the elimination of violence against women and children and was instrumental in the development of the ‘Iramoo Zone’ – Mentors in Violence Prevention program. Her career spans more than 30 years, and is Chairperson of the Outback Academy. She made the Victorian Women’s Honour Roll – Minister of Women’s Affairs in 2004, and attended the United Nations Convention on the Status of Women in 2010.
