Strong Women

Supporting First Nations Women

Building Intergenerational Pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women

Education is more than access to learning. It is access to confidence, capability, leadership and influence. Nyami Balmuun is First Nations Economics' national framework for First Nations women's economic empowerment — creating long-term economic participation and influence for women, their families and their communities.

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Why Nyami Balmuun?

Closing the Gap Between Programs and Pathways

Education is more than access to learning.

It is access to confidence, opportunity, leadership and influence.

Nyami Balmuun (Strong Women) was created to support Aboriginal women at different stages of their journey — whether that's pursuing education, building a business, developing leadership skills or creating greater economic opportunities for themselves and their communities.

Built on the belief that education is long-term economic infrastructure, Nyami Balmuun connects learning, mentoring, enterprise capability and leadership development through a series of pathways designed to strengthen confidence, capability and economic participation over time.

Our vision is to see more Aboriginal women leading businesses, influencing decisions, strengthening communities and shaping economic outcomes for future generations.

Because when Aboriginal women thrive, the impact extends far beyond the individual.

Aboriginal women
Our Programs

Connected Pathways for Every Stage

Scholarship

Leah Armstrong Scholarship

Supporting the next generation of Aboriginal women leaders

Financial support, mentoring, professional development and industry exposure for Aboriginal women pursuing tertiary education in economics, finance and business.

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Mentoring

Knowledge Mentoring Program

Connecting women with experienced leaders and professional networks

Culturally safe mentoring and coaching that supports confidence, career progression, leadership development and personal growth.

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Financial Capability

Financial Foundations for Business

Building confidence to engage with financial systems

Strengthening financial literacy, key business fundamentals and confidence navigating financial systems — a practical foundation for women considering or growing a business.

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Enterprise

Diversity Pre-Accelerator Program

Supporting Aboriginal women to validate, grow and scale their business ideas

Structured support through business planning, market validation, mentoring and capability development — helping participants move from concept to action.

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More Than Programs

Pathways, Not Programs

Nyami Balmuun is not a collection of standalone initiatives. It is an evolving framework designed to create stronger connections between education, enterprise, leadership and economic participation.

Learning

Scholarships & financial foundations

Leadership

Mentoring & enterprise development

Participation

Connected opportunities & networks

Influence

Shaping economic futures for communities

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An Investment in Aboriginal Women's Economic Future

Nyami Balmuun is more than a collection of programs. It is an investment in the long-term economic participation, leadership and influence of Aboriginal women.

We are seeking partners who share our commitment to creating stronger pathways into education, enterprise, leadership and economic opportunity — whether through scholarships, mentoring, financial capability, enterprise development or leadership programs that create lasting impact.

Together, we can build the confidence, capability and connections that help Aboriginal women shape stronger futures for themselves, their families and their communities.

Gurminder Saro

Interim Chair

Associate Professor Rick Macourt is a proud, queer Gumbaynggirr man, lawyer, and economic specialist. He leads First Nations Economics as Managing Director of Strategy and Foundation and serves as Associate Dean of First Nations Strategy and Services at the University of Sydney.

With over 15 years of experience spanning government, corporate, and not-for-profit sectors, Rick is deeply committed to advancing the economic development of First Peoples. As the former Director of First Nations Expenditure and Outcomes at NSW Treasury, he spearheaded the state’s inaugural Indigenous expenditure reporting processes and established the groundbreaking First Nations budget process in 2021/22. Previously, Rick held an executive role at the Westpac Group, overseeing First Nations affairs, and has a rich history in government, monitoring, evaluation, and negotiation, with senior positions at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, City of Sydney, and Standards Australia.

Rick is a published author with Oxford University Press, a member of the First Nations Advisory Board of Siemens Australia, and a Non-Executive Director on the board of Barnardos Australia.