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Indigenous Business Australia (IBA) escalates a strong community focus with the latest updates to the IBA Board including the reappointment of Josh Gilbert and escalation of Olga Havnen to Deputy Chairperson.
Western Arrernte woman Olga Havnen was escalated to Deputy Chairperson after her appointment to the IBA Board in December 2025. Olga has significant board experience as Director of the Justice Reform Initiative and previously as a director of the Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation, Clontarf Foundation and Stars Foundation. She has also had leadership roles in important community-facing organisations, including CEO of the Danila Dilba Health Service.
Olga grew up in Tennant Creek, Northern Territory and is a strong advocate for culturally safe care for Indigenous Australians. She was nominated for NT Australian of the Year in 2022. With significant expertise in strategic management, public sector leadership, and advocacy for social justice, Olga combines her passions with her commitment to positive change.
Worimi man Josh Gilbert was reappointed as board director, continuing his commitment on the board since April 2022. Josh is the Indigenous Co-Chair of Reconciliation NSW. He is an entrepreneur and business advisor, working predominantly in the Aboriginal culture, agriculture and environmental spheres. Josh pursues transformation through modern truth-telling, bringing new concepts to the forefront through acknowledgement of the past.
A farmer and academic, Josh is undertaking higher degree research at Charles Sturt University and was recently recognised within the world’s top 50 young gastronomers. He has worked with numerous not-for-profits, businesses and the government to develop change and bring people on a journey of change. His work seeks to connect traditional Aboriginal knowledge and history to current contexts, translating past wisdom and learning to future opportunities.
IBA Chairperson and descendant of the Kokoberren peoples of Cape York, Darren Godwell, acknowledges the importance of a strong Indigenous board with diverse skills to represent the vision of IBA.
“Bringing together a diverse board of community members that have their own individual expertise along with a mix of corporate skills will leverage IBA to the next stage in our delivery to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
“Community comes first for Indigenous Australians and we understand that it’s not one view that will solve the puzzle but bringing together multiple of strengths to support a common goal.”
Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator Malarndirri McCarthy congratulated the appointees and looks forward to working with them to advance the economic empowerment of First Nations people.
“I am confident that this new-look board will help deliver the Albanese Government’s drive for greater economic empowerment for First Nations people.
“Collectively this board balances a wealth of expertise with fresh perspectives. The experience of the Board will be beneficial to IBA as it enacts the recent expansion of its role and remit.”
In addition to these important community appointments, Minister McCarthy brought a wealth of additional corporate knowledge to the IBA Board with the appointment of Dr Doug McTaggart FAICD and Torres Strait Islander Meriam man Brian Bero.
Media contact: Tara Toohill 02 9207 6362 or tara.toohill@iba.gov.au
