Jahna Cedar

Jahna Cedar is a Nyiyaparli woman from the Pilbara region of Western Australia, with ancestral ties to the Bardi Gija people of the Kimberleys. Recognised as a strong Indigenous community leader, who grew up between Marble Bar and Port Hedland, she has worked for over 28 years advocating for equal rights and reconciliation of Indigenous people and has represented Indigenous Australia at the United Nations in New York on three occasions.

In 2012, Jahna was the youngest person to be elected to the West Australian International Women’s Day Hall of Fame and in 2017, Jahna proudly won Business News 40 Under 40, First amongst equals. Jahna was awarded Telstra Businesswomen Awards WA – For Purpose and Social Enterprise Winner in 2017 and enjoys speaking at various events on issues of social justice, Indigenous rights and business management. Jahna received the Medal of the Order of Australia in 2020 for Service to the Aboriginal community of Western Australia and in 2022 was the WA recipient of The Australian Awards for Excellence in Women's Leadership. In 2023, Jahna delivered an insightful Tedx talk on walking in two worlds and was announced as one of ten founding Blak Angel Investors. An innovative and exciting initiative established with the objective of promoting economic development and empowerment within the First Nations Communities.

A motivational leader, Jahna’s corporate experience includes business/human resources management, social justice advocacy, non-executive board positions, governance and leadership. Through previous employment opportunities, she has led strategic growth, witnessing substantial increases in revenue and employee numbers, whilst creating meaningful pathways for the advancement of First Nations people, businesses and communities.

Offering an innate leadership style and proven business acumen, Jahna drives consistent results. She emphasizes the need for policy reform, market access, capacity building, cultural preservation, and collaborative partnerships to support the growth of Indigenous-led organizations. Jahna is dedicated to challenging preconceptions, breaking down damaging stereotypes, and working hard to make a difference for Indigenous people, specifically women and youth.