Sean Gordon
2018 Cohort
Sean is working on the social and economic disparity of Indigenous Australians, ensuring that legislation, policy and programs have a positive impact, leading to opportunities for Indigenous economic empowerment and independence.
Sean Gordon is the Managing Director and owner of Gidgee Group Consulting and Partnerships Pty Ltd, a 100% Indigenous owned business that specialises in providing strategic advice on Indigenous affairs to the private, corporate, government and community sectors. He is based in Newcastle (Awabakal Country), and is focused on building strong black local economies and wealth creation in Indigenous communities by supporting communities to better understand the value and potential of their assets.
Sean is applying his considerable leadership skills to drive Indigenous development (cultural, social, economic and spiritual) and to establish independence through creating real opportunities and benefits for individuals, organisations, and communities. A Wangkumarra/Barkindji man, Sean is a strong advocate of self-determination for Indigenous communities, and for social, cultural, and economic empowerment. He is currently Chief Executive Officer (Part-time) of Awabakal Enterprise Ltd, an organisation established on the 1st June 2021 to drive economic development in the Hunter region.
Sean serves on numerous boards and advisory committees/groups:
Member, Woolworths, Indigenous Advisory Board, 2021
Councillor, University of Newcastle, Council, 2021
Chairman, Commonwealth Bank Indigenous Advisory Committee, 2010
Founder and Director, Yahdu Muru Foundation, 2018
Member, Commonwealth Bank, CEO Advisory Committee, 2019
Chairman, Max Solutions, Indigenous Advisory Committee, 2019
Chairman, Insurance Council of Australia, Indigenous Advisory Committee, 2020
Chairperson, Uphold and Recognise, 2019
Former Chairperson, Empowered Communities National Leadership Group, 2013 - 2019
Former Member, Stronger People, Stronger Places Leadership Group 2018 - 2021
Former Chairperson, NAISDA, 2014 -2019
Social change work
Sean's social change work is focused on building wealth in Indigenous communities by supporting communities to better understand their assets and the benefit and opportunities those asset can achieve for communities. He does this by connecting communities with key partners from the private, corporate and government sectors and working with each of the parties to help drive real and lasting change. He has had great success working with a number of communities across Australia supporting them in their development.