Gill Mailman – Building an empire and having an exit plan

Gillian Mailman is a proud Bidjara woman from the Charleville region. She grew up in Mount Isa and has created a trailblazing career in telecommunications. She is Australia’s first Aboriginal woman to become a qualified electrician and has since established her own telecommunications business, Fibre Optics North Queensland.

She is also the CEO of MJB Solutions – a majority owned and managed Indigenous company working in Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea. Gill is passionate about improving the lives of people through empowerment and economic development, and her innovative approach makes her the leading businesswoman she is today.

In this episode, Gill talks about entering her wise woman era, putting in the work to set yourself up in the long term, the importance of having your own money and an exit plan, being your own best company, and the unique perspectives First Nations women can bring to the table.

Rich Blak Women is a podcast from national Indigenous not-for-profit First Nations Foundation, following stories of culture, strength, challenge, and resilience from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women – rich in culture, value, and mindset.

Conversations aim to deepen awareness about the unique economic inequities’ First Nations women face, investigate success and connection to culture, empower financial wellbeing through shared experiences and learnings, and build community and allies.

The First Nations line-up of guests in the new season include Guyala Bayles (model, actor, activist), Gill Mailman (telecommunications leader), Senator Dorinda Cox (WA Greens), Marcella Ketchell (GBH Torres Strait Sea & Land Council), Shantelle Thompson OAM (Kiilalaana Foundation founder and Jiu Jitsu world champion), Shanell Dargan (boxer and singer), Donnell Wallam (Australian netballer), Celeste Carnegie, (Community Programs & Engagement at Indigitek), and Nornie Bero (Mabu Mabu restaurant owner).

Host, Larisha Jerome, is a proud Jarowair, Wakka Wakka & Wulli Wulli woman who grew up on Darug Country in Western Sydney and has an extensive background in banking, women’s health, government, and community services. She leads the Foundation’s Women’s Financial Wellness work addressing the economic injustice First Nations people face and empowering women to achieve full financial wellness and independence.

Rich Blak Women will be available on most podcast platforms and can be streamed from First Nations Foundation directly. For more information, please visit tomorrowmoney.co/women/rbw

For more information on the Foundation’s Women’s Financial Wellness initiative, please visit firstnationsfoundation.org.au/indigenous-womens-financial-wellness

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