What’s in a name? In a vibrant, multicultural society like Australia, names hold deep personal, cultural, and historical meaning.

Yet too often, non-Anglo names are mispronounced, altered, or avoided—reflecting lingering colonial legacies and contributing to the marginalisation of diverse identities in workplaces, schools, and community life.

In this panel discussion, community voices, academics, and thought leaders explore how respectful name recognition can foster deeper inclusion.

The event was facilitated by Dr Elaine Laforteza and Dr Zozan Balci from UTS.

Dr Elaine Laforteza has a PhD in Cultural Studies. She is the Equity and Diversity Project Officer (Cultural Diversity) at the UTS Centre for Social Justice & Inclusion. She has held academic positions at Macquarie University, Charles Sturt University, and most recently in the School of Communication at UTS. Her work has been published in peer-reviewed academic journals and community media, and her book ‘The Somatechnics of Whiteness and Race’ is available through Routledge.

Elaine hosts SBS’s award-winning podcast, ‘My Bilingual Family’, and is also an emerging playwright, producing plays for various festivals in Sydney.

Dr Zozan Balci is an academic and sociolinguist in the School of Communications. An expert in life history interviewing, she excels at transforming research into powerful storytelling that resonates with a broad range of audiences.

As a passionate social justice advocate, she connects researchers and students with real-world issues for social change, earning multiple awards for her work with not-for-profits and community organisations through the Centre for Social Justice and Inclusion. Her new book, ‘Erased Voices and Unspoken Heritage’ is available through Routledge.

Jie Pittman is a proud First Nations cultural educator, entrepreneur, and storyteller from the Gadigal-Darug, Murramurang/Budawang Dhurga-Yuin, Kooma, Wiradjuri, and Ngemba nations. As CEO of Jie Pittman Pty Ltd, he leads nationally recognised programs such as the 10 Elements Cultural Exchange and the Liven Deadly Program, which embed Aboriginal cultural identity and healing into education, government, and corporate spaces.

Jie brings lived experience and a deep understanding of the power of names as anchors of belonging, resilience, and intergenerational strength. His contribution to Say Our Name offers a decolonised lens on how name recognition can restore dignity, strengthen community identity, and create culturally safe spaces across schools, workplaces, and society.

Koon Lai is an executive coach and leadership facilitator with over two decades of experience with PwC. A seasoned executive, she brings deep lived experience to her transformative coaching, equipping culturally diverse leaders with the...

What do you need to know to prosper as a people for 65,000 years or more?

Alison Page is really obsessed with training up a new generation of Aboriginal designers and that’s been a driving force behind her book, Design and Building on Country: First Knowledges for Younger Readers, co-authored with anthropologist and architect Paul Memmott.

It’s a rework of Design and Building on Country, published in 2021 as part of Thames & Hudson’s First Knowledges series.

In this short talk, hear...

• How did lego get Alison into design?
• What does it mean to design with Country?
• How can design be used as a form of storytelling and knowledge-keeping?
• What does 'form follows Country' mean in the context of design education?
• What is 'biomimicry' and how did First Nations people use it in design?
• How can traditional Aboriginal design principles be applied in contemporary Australian architecture and urban planning?
• How can design reconnect people with a sense of belonging and community?

Alison then talks Dillon Kombumerri, a principal architect and co-creator of the 'Connecting with Country' framework. They discuss the growth of Indigenous presence in design, the challenges of integrating cultural principles into urban settings, and the importance of designing for both cultural expression and environmental sustainability.

Alison Page is a First Nations artist, designer and filmmaker who co-creates with Aboriginal communities, organisations and cultural practitioners, to bring the power of Indigenous storytelling to public spaces primarily to awaken the memory of Country.

Hailing from Yugambeh and Quandamooka Country, Dillon Kombumerri is a Professor of Practice at the Cities Institute. He is also Principal Architect for the Government Architect NSW and has over 30 years of experience bringing his own unique indigenous perspective to re-imaging the built environment.

This episode was recorded at UTS House as part of SXSW Sydney 2024.

UTS House at SXSW Sydney 2024 explored future trends and emerging technology from leading academics and industry experts in a series of interviews and panel discussions across the week.

Impact Talks at UTS is produced by UTS Impact Studios, with sound engineering by Alison Zhuang.

How do you build successful businesses while creating meaningful impact?

How can companies foster inclusive cultures during periods of growth?

Panelists share their journeys and offer insights on navigating the complexities of entrepreneurship, advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion and responding to current societal shifts.

Famey Williams (Githabul), Chief Executive, Aboriginal Housing Office. Famey has over 18 years’ experience working with Aboriginal communities across NSW Government and non-profit sectors, her community and culture serve as a barometer in her roles and she looks to bring that lens to all her interactions professionally.

Gunjan Wadhwa, Co-founder of Astra Health AI. Gunjan has over 10 years of experience across the Technology, Financial Services, Consulting, and Healthcare industries. At Astra Health AI, their mission is to transform the healthcare experience with the power of AI for the better. They are passionate about making it more streamlined and centred around patients.

Heather Thomson, Chief Operating Officer, Global Sisters. Heather’s 25-year professional career has been dedicated to social and economic justice for women. At Global Sisters, she works to scale impact, supporting thousands of women to reach their full economic potential & create a ripple effect of change in their family, community and society.

Adama Kamara, Founder of Just Shea, a skincare brand that uses African botanicals in its formulations and draws deeply from her West African heritage. She has a social background in social services and is a member of the organizing committee for the Africultures Festival, Australia's largest African arts and cultural festival. She is also the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Refugee Council of Australia.

Gabriella Maselli McGrail, Director & Producer, Maselli Film. Gabriella's filmmaking approach empowers creatives through collaboration, reflecting her dynamic career and commitment to championing women.

The panel is chaired by Dr Claire Wright, lecturer and business historian at the UTS Business School teaching and researching Australian corporate networks, governance and diversity in leadership.

Impact Talks at UTS is produced by UTS Impact Studios, with sound engineering by Alison Zhuang.