Speakers
RIAA’s conference 2026 falls during National Reconciliation Week and in the 20th anniversary year of the first Reconciliation Action Plans. Many don’t realise that the finance sector supported the pastoral expansion and resource extraction industries that dispossessed First Nations peoples of their land, often without compensation and often violently. Learn directly from the CEO of Reconciliation Australia about the unique role that investors can now play in advancing reconciliation. Leading funds on different stages of their RAP journey will discuss how they have sustainably and strategically taken meaningful action to advance reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians, and the potential of RAPs to positively impact organisational culture and change.
Co-Chair of RIAA's First Nations Peoples' Rights Working Group and Director (various)
Phil is a professional Director, Adviser and private investor with sector experience covering sustainable finance and impact investing, credit markets, education, health, the not-for-profits and early stage investing. He is currently a Director of Futurity Investment Group, the Stroke Foundation, Environmental Defender’s Office and B Lab ANZ. He also works with numerous early-stage companies in the renewable, clean tech and fintech sectors as an investor and mentor. Phil was previously CEO and Managing Director of Australian Ethical Investment and Group Executive with Perpetual Limited in charge of their Corporate Trust and Securitisation business. He is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand and of the Australian Superannuation Funds Association.
Chief Executive Officer of Reconciliation Australia
Karen Mundine is from the Bundjalung Nation of northern NSW. As the CEO at Reconciliation Australia, Ms Mundine brings to the role more than 25 years’ experience leading community engagement, public advocacy, communications and social marketing campaigns. An architect of the landmark Australian Reconciliation Barometer, Ms Mundine works with governments, the business sector and civil society to advocate for change and is currently a member of the Australian Government’s Referendum Engagement Group. Over the course of her career, she has been instrumental in some of Australia’s watershed national events including the Apology to the Stolen Generations, Centenary of Federation commemorations, Corroboree 2000 and the 1997 and 2021 Australian Reconciliation Conventions. Ms Mundine holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) and was the winner of the 2021 Indigenous Australian UTS Alumni Award. She is a Company Director of Gondwana Choirs, Sydney Festival, the Australian Indigenous Leadership Centre (AILC), and Australians for Constitutional Recognition, and is a Member of Chief Executive Women.
Why we selected Karen Mundine?
As Australia’s leading voice on reconciliation and a driving force behind many of the nation’s most significant reconciliation initiatives, Karen brings unparalleled insight into the role institutions, including investors, can play in advancing meaningful change. Her leadership at Reconciliation Australia gives investors a clear, evidence‑based understanding of how RAPs can strengthen organisational integrity, shape culture and support long‑term, sustainable outcomes across the finance sector.
Head of Corporate Sustainability & Social Impact at Aware Super
Amanda Barker is an influential and strategic senior leader and Non Executive Director with more than 15 years of extensive experience shaping and implementing enterprise wide strategies that deliver both commercial outcomes and meaningful shared value impact.
A specialist in sustainability, ESG and corporate social responsibility, Amanda has designed and executed transformative strategies that align purpose with performance. Her work is defined by a commitment to long term value creation, ethical leadership, and measurable impact — enabling organisations to thrive while contributing to broader societal and environmental wellbeing.
With a reputation for collaborative leadership, strategic foresight and the ability to influence at executive and board levels, Amanda continues to drive forward thinking initiatives that shape more resilient, responsible and future ready organisations.
