We are delighted to announce Shelley Reys, AO to speak to the Crescent Institute in September about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Reconciliation.

Shelley Reys AO is renowned for inspiring courageous conversations on issues of national importance including national reconciliation. Shelley is an Aboriginal woman of the Djiribul people and has over two decades of experience in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander reconciliation and was the first Indigenous partner of KPMG Australia.

Shelley will speak to the role of leadership at all levels in Australia – government, business and individual to progress national reconciliation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians. She will share her journey of over 20 years at the forefront of the national reconciliation movement, including as inaugural Co-Chair of Reconciliation Australia along with her perspective on what individual action we can take.

Hosted by Geoff Morgan AM and moderated by award-winning journalist Omar Dehan, don’t miss this outstanding opportunity to participate in a conversation of national importance.

Speaker Biography

Shelley Reys AO

Shelley Reys AO is an Aboriginal woman of the Djiribul people and a respected Indigenous specialist, strategist and service provider.

She is CEO of Arrilla Indigenous Consulting and has been the leading provider in Indigenous cultural competency training for the Australian workforce for close to 30 years. In 2016, Shelley became the first Indigenous Partner of KPMG Australia.

She brings over two decades’ experience in the Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and reconciliation sectors to the table, and has built a formidable reputation for helping organisations across Australia to navigate their way in the Indigenous space with skill and absolute confidence.

She is known to inspire new, courageous conversations of national importance. This includes her leadership role with The Australian of the Year Awards and Australia Day, Parliament’s apology to ‘the stolen generations’ and the national reconciliation movement in which she played a formal role spanning 20 years including her appointment as inaugural Co-Chair of Reconciliation Australia.

The Australian Financial Review named Shelley as their ‘100 Women of Influence’ and in June 2012, Shelley was awarded the Order of Australia (AO) in the highest category. The award recognized “distinguished service to the Indigenous community, to reconciliation and social inclusion, and as an advocate for improved educational, health and employment opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people”.

Geoff Morgan AM, Host

Geoff was co-founder of Morgan & Banks in 1985 and grew the company to become a dominant global recruitment force. Morgan & Banks was publicly listed prior to its acquisition by TMP/Monster.com. Talent2 was then established in Australia and grown to be a global business which was acquired by Allegis Group – the largest private talent management firm in the world.

People are a passion for Geoff and for over 35 years he has immersed himself in the work environment and employment industry globally. Geoff has been a great mentor to many people, particularly in the Indigenous Community and more latterly around the areas of refugees and asylum seekers. His other great passions include Australian Indigenous Affairs, motor racing, cycling, travel and most importantly his family.

He is also the joint Chairman of the World Scout Foundation, Australian Chapter, sits on the Queens Scout Scholarship Selection Committee and the Lord Baden Powell Society Management Committee and is a Branch Member of the Scouts Australia’s National Council.

Omar Dehen, Moderator

Omar Dehen is an award-winning journalist for SBS World News, focusing on both national and international issues. Born and raised in Sydney, Omar has worked at numerous Australian and international media organisations; including Ten News, Sky News, and News Corp.

Among Omar's extensive body of work at SBS, are following the Donald Trump camp during the 2016 US Presidential Election, covering the 2018 Thai cave rescue, and the ongoing protests in Hong Kong.

A proficient video journalist and video editor, he was also selected to participate in the CNN Journalism Fellowship at its World Headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia. Omar Dehen is an accredited lawyer, and won the 2017 NSW Multicultural Media Award for 'Best TV/Audio Report'.

Proud of his Syrian heritage, Omar is passionate about foreign affairs, multiculturalism, and promoting cultural and social unity.