Meet the UNSW First Nations Business Society's Executive Leadership Team

Established in 2022, the UNSW First Nations Business Society is dedicated to empowering First Nations students to thrive at UNSW Business School, contributing to the growth of the Indigenous Business sector in collaboration with industry and government partners, and the wider community.

UNSW First Nations Business Society is pioneering community-led initiatives within business. With over 50 members (and growing) our students range in experience from first-year undergraduate students, to working professionals with decades of experience to successful entrepreneurs. The society works with more than 10 industry partners to build on the many different pathways for its members to become the future business leaders they aspire to be.

The society offers employment pathways, mentor programs, skills building through masterclasses, personal brand building, and community events. The society is open to all UNSW Indigenous Business school students across all degree pathways and alumni.

The UNSW Business School EDI is honoured to introduce you to one of our 2024 UNSW First Nations Business Society's Executive Leadership Team Members: Alex Sanderson a proud Wiradjuri man, AGSM MBA (Executive), specialising in Strategy, Founder and President of UNSW First Nations Business Society.

Dream career or industry to work at: to work in the Television and Film industry, specialising in film financing.

Why did you choose to a Business Degree? And what led you to study at UNSW?

I started my first corporate job at 15 in Procurement and Contracts. I knew then that in order to grow and become the business leader I aspired to be I needed an MBA as some of the world’s leading business leaders that inspired me had one.

How has your experience helped you make a positive impact in your degree, career and/or community?

UNSW Business School and the Australian Graduate School of Management (AGSM) have helped me to understand how businesses operate internally (systems, resources, capabilities, human capital etc) and how to be competitive in the market space to provide a point of difference.

Outside of studying, it has broadened my thinking of how business can play a role in solving some of the world’s problems through Responsible Management practices, in Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s), and Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) practices and implementation strategies.

How has UNSW prepared you to lead in the workplace and community once you graduate?

UNSW Business School and AGSM have created a very positive and supportive environment throughout my time as a student. I’ve had the opportunity to become the first Postgraduate Representative (PG) on the UNSW Business School’s EDI Committee and a Student Representative on the UNSW Business School Social Impact Strategy Committee. This has helped me gain valuable skills outside of my degree including networking and relationship building, how key resources can be used to better society, and to also think more strategically.

What inspired you to join the UNSW First Nations Business Society? Tell us a bit about your Executive role.

During my first corporate job, I was part of the team that diversified the organisation's supply chain that procured goods and services from Indigenous-owned businesses as part of the  Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) and the introduction of the government's Indigenous Procurement Policy. This showed me that business is the best platform for change, and I have taken this philosophy with me throughout my career and education.

When I was the PG EDI Rep, I identified a gap between the Faculty’s Indigenous targets, Indigenous student's voices and working together. I then came up with the idea of creating the society to be student led but integrated into the Business faculty to achieve common goals and aspirations. Becoming a vehicle to drive more future Indigenous students to be curious about studying business by offering them a place to ask questions and talk to like-mind mob. As well as being a place where graduates can connect with First Nations alumni and ask questions about what’s like to enter the corporate world and ask for advice. Either way we aim to create economic independence for Indigenous Australians.

What initiatives or activities do you run? How is this making a positive impact on Business School Indigenous Students?

UNSW First Nations Business Society is making a positive impact on Business Indigenous Students by supporting them to become job-ready before embarking on their career journey, creating relationships with organisations they aspire to work for and creating a sense of community to work collaboratively with while studying business at UNSW Business School.

We run the following initiatives:

• Peer Mentoring Programs
• Industry Mentoring Programs
• Career Expo’s
• Career Information Sessions with industry partners
• Masterclasses
• Business Workshops for the Community
• Sending students to the National Leadership Forum every year

How is UNSW Business School helping to improve Indigenous representation within the business sector? And how is the society helping to improve this?

UNSW Business School is passionate about supporting Indigenous students and it is evident in the EDI team's purpose and initiatives, as well as through their event and support provided to Indigenous students throughout the year. This includes outreach programs to future Indigenous students, working with the UNSW First Nations Business Society, sending students to conferences and supporting community-led events on culturally significant days such as NADIOC Week.

UNSW First Nations Business Society and its members also work collaboratively with industry to engage more students to study at university, graduate and get graduate jobs to empower Australia’s future Indigenous business leaders.

UNSW Business School strives to cultivate a welcoming environment that supports all Indigenous business students - from their first enquiry to graduation and beyond.

We provide ongoing advocacy and support for Indigenous business students and graduates. We support students to achieve their best throughout their studies and academic, career mentoring and industry opportunities in Australia and overseas.

Find out more about the UNSW First Nations Business Society. 

Find out more about UNSW Business School's Indigenous Engagement.