ABOUT
Tina Waru (Founder, MD)
Based in Melbourne, Australia, Tina Waru is a proud First Nations woman of NZ Taranaki, Waikato, Ngāpuhi, and Ngāti Kurī descent. She is the visionary founder of Global Indigenous Management. An internationally recognised creative enterprise leading First Nations fashion runways, productions, installations, and now, fashion brands.
Tina is also the founder of the not-for-profit Indigenous Runway Project Inc., which has supported the personal development of over 2,000 First Nations youth globally. Her programs offer more than skills, they restore confidence, cultural pride, and a sense of purpose, creating pathways into creative careers and leadership. She believes deeply in the power of Indigenous creativity to transform both industries and lives, and she is determined to bring something truly unique to the world stage.
A recognised leader in global creative industries, delivering multitude of high fashion runways nationally and across the globe. Tina’s contributions have earned the company multiple prestigious awards. In 2022, they won two Gold MUSE Creative Awards in New York and a Bronze A ’Design Award for Spatial Design in Lake Como, Italy, honours considered among the highest in the creative world.
Leadership, Legacy & Global Impact
In 2023, the company Global Indigenous Management won the Governor of Victoria’s Export Award for Creative Industries and was named a national finalist in the Australian Export Awards, placing among the top five creative businesses in the country. In 2024, she was named Woman of the Year by the Lalor electorate in Victoria.
Their influence continues to grow. In 2024, the Global Indigenous Runway event hosted 75 of the ASEAN Emerging World Leaders and prominent Indigenous leaders including the Hon. Linda Burney, Senator Jana Stewart, and First Nations Ambassador Justin Mohamed.
Their dedication in launching thousands of First Nations talent through their Global Indigenous Runways featured at both Melbourne Fashion Festival and Melbourne Fashion Week for the past 13 years is highly commendable. They remain a passionate, resilient, and highly respected leader in the industry. Their company has spearheaded major initiatives in collaboration with the City of Melbourne, Melbourne Airport, and the University of Melbourne to name a few.
Today, Global Indigenous Management is preparing to launch its most ambitious chapter yet, the largest Indigenous trade expo and global Indigenous fashion festival in the world in 2026, expanding into the retail sector and elevating First Nations designers, creatives, and brands to international recognition. From the runway to the retail floor, “Global Indigenous is reshaping the future of Indigenous excellence where cultural pride, creativity, and global recognition walk side by side.“
