Jolene Kawak is a proud Yamatji woman, Fellow Chartered Accountant and Director of Karlaya Accounting & Business Advisory, a Brisbane-based firm supporting small businesses, Indigenous organisations and Not-for-Profits. With more than 20 years’ experience in accounting and advisory, Jolene is passionate about shaping the profession beyond compliance, helping clients and organisations move from financial reporting to meaningful understanding, strategy and impact. Her work increasingly focuses on the evolving role of accountants beyond compliance, including governance, advocacy, board leadership and representation within the profession. Jolene currently serves on the boards of Brisbane Indigenous Media Association (BIMA) and The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service (Qld) Ltd (ATSILS), and is also a committee member for the Hymba Yumba Foundation. She is a member of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Committee for Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ). Through her speaking and advocacy, Jolene shares an honest perspective on visibility, governance, cultural understanding and why the future of accounting needs different voices at the table.