Program speakers

Adam Goodes

CEO – Black Excellence Fund

Adam Goodes, renowned as an iconic Australian athlete and a trailblazer for First Nations empowerment, serves as the CEO of the Black Excellence Fund and iDiC. 

An Adnyamathanha and Narungga man born in Wallaroo, South Australia, Adam is proud of his heritage and passionate about eliminating discrimination in society. His passion and strength of character is fuelled by his drive to help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People achieve economic independence.

As one of the founders of iDiC, Adam works with federal and state Governments, industry captains, and prime contractors, putting him at the vanguard of change. His innovative approach has helped shape a brighter future for Indigenous Businesses, with iDiC generating over $100 million in revenue since its inception and facilitating business expenditure that has pumped $400 million in socio-economic value back into Indigenous Businesses and communities. 

In 2014, Adam’s tireless efforts were nationally recognised when he was named Australian of the Year, an honour bestowed for his commitment to empowering future Indigenous role models and his unwavering advocacy against racism.

Moreover, his dedication to cultivating support pathways for communities led to the inception of The Goodes-O’Loughlin Foundation (GO Foundation), which he co-founded with his fellow Indigenous teammate Michael O’Loughlin. The Foundation, with Adam at the helm for 14 years, has awarded 1,294 scholarships to date and currently supports 609 active scholars across 94 schools and 6 universities. Their fundraising achievements exceed an impressive $14 million.

Adding to his portfolio of influential roles, Adam also joined the National Indigenous Council and the board of Supply Nation, spending five years as a non-executive director. He is also the ambassador for renowned brands like Toyota, David Jones, Qantas, SCG Trust, and Lendlease, always advocating for thoughtful approaches for improved outcomes.

Adam’s mission is deeply personal, geared towards accelerating Indigenous entrepreneurship and amplifying Black Excellence. His enduring commitment to Indigenous empowerment and development continually shines through, making him a force of change in both the sports and business worlds.