8 questions with Sharon Ninyette: Visitor Economy Profile

Your name: Sharon Ninyette?

Your role and what you do: As Senior Indigenous Programs Manager with Crown Resorts, I am accountable for the implementation of the overall Indigenous Employment Strategy. ?

I play a leadership role within the group program and ensure a strong partnership with the HR Executive Leadership Group, whilst developing alliances and initiatives for Crown, with a focus on their home property, but with influence within the group. This also includes driving the integration and delivery of Aboriginal cultural, social, environmental, and economic values in order that these objectives are realized at various levels across Crown.??

I lead the implementation of Crown’s cultural protocols and advise the organisation on culturally appropriate practices and ensuring Indigenous employees have access to a culturally safe workplace and improved retention outcomes, also assisting with cultural determinants. These responsibilities include attraction, recruitment, training, counselling and supporting Indigenous employees as well as cross cultural training related to the effective delivery of the Indigenous Employment Program.??

I am also responsible for working with and providing strategic advice on Aboriginal matters to departmental managers and supervisors to create a proactive coaching and counselling approach to all program participants while developing and maintaining effective stakeholder relationships, including community, government and corporate levels.??

I am a key advisor to senior management to ensure Crown Resorts is a culturally safe environment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees. Whilst providing advice to the organisation on significant matters of importance to the Aboriginal community. ?

Sharon is also a member of the THRIVE 2030 Workforce and Skills working group.?

How long have you worked in visitor economy roles? I have worked 14 years in the visitor economy role. ?

What’s your fondest memory of / or what you enjoy most about working in the sector? My fondest memory is when I travelled to Uluru, which was the biggest highlight of my career and going on a cultural journey that was overwhelming.??

What are you looking forward to and why?? I am looking forward to my next adventure in life and where it takes me from here. ?

What’s your best tip, advice, or lesson learned for the visitor economy right now? Keep doing what we do best and deliver high performance outcomes for all to be a part of the journey.?

What do you do on holiday that you don’t do any other time? Relax and reflect on the moment. ?

What always goes in your suitcase when travelling?? My phone charger!?

Connect with Sharon Ninyette on LinkedIn and read our previous Visitor Economy profiles of Tour Guides Australia President Jim McInerney TAFE business development manager Paula Meyer, tourism survey manager Bode Ten Buuren, regional tourism leader Coralie Bell, accessible tourism operator and advocate James "Buck" McFarlane, international education expert Karyn Kent and Aboriginal tourist operator Juan Walker (the latter two both Reimagining the Visitor Economy Independent Panel members).?

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