Meet Our Management Team
Indigenous Energy Procurement has a team of energy experts who bring more than 50 years of combined Australian energy industry experience to the fore. We take great pride in our extremely low staff turnover and the ongoing continuity we have within our team.
Our team of energy analysts provide accurate assessments for each site we evaluate and negotiate with energy retailers to ensure appropriate pricing, network structures and incentives.
Michael McLeod - Executive Chairman
Michael is an Aboriginal man. His mob are the Ngarrindjeri from South Australia and Monaro from Southern New South Wales. He has been described by a senior Federal politician as one of Australia’s most valuable sons.
Michael and his family are part of Australia’s stolen generations. Before the age of two, Michael and his siblings were taken from their parents – never to be reunited as a family. Michael grew up on his own in State ward homes and foster homes. By his mid-twenties, he was a chronic alcoholic and heroin addict. By his early thirties Michael was homeless and living on the streets of Sydney.
A successful rehabilitation program has seen Michael clean and sober for over twenty years. Michael didn’t want to be the typical Aboriginal man, dependent on Government social handouts or welfare. He refused employment benefits and Aboriginal housing benefits and chose to do it the hard way – he started his own niche IT services business called Message Stick. After building Message Stick in to a shining example of how an Indigenous business can engage with large corporates and Government, Michael and his team co-founded Supply Nation. Thanks to the lobbying efforts of Michael and others, the Government is now shifting from a complete welfare and subsidy based focus to developing policies around supporting real economic development, including business ownership and entrepreneurialism.
Michael is the Chair of Message Stick Group, a Director of Supply Nation and the Chair of the Indigenous Defence and Infrastructure Consortium.
Richard Hurst - Business Development Manager
Richard is a proud Gamilaroi man who grew up in Sydney. His early career spanned property, recruitment and sales before completing a Bachelor of Business and Commerce at Western Sydney University. As a graduate Richard joined the federal public service, working on international education and tertiary infrastructure projects including the infrastructure development of Indigenous Skills Centres. After relocating to Melbourne, Richard led the Indigenous Accountants Australia Initiative, seeking to increase Indigenous representation across the accounting profession. He went on to manage the Indigenous Employment Program at Crown Melbourne and later worked at the Victorian Aboriginal Education Association (VAEAI) to promote post-secondary education pathways for Aboriginal students. Most recently, at Monash University, Richard served as Indigenous Employment and Engagement Manager, where he focused on strengthening the recruitment, retention, and professional development opportunities for Indigenous staff.
Now at Indigenous Energy Procurement, Richard brings warmth, professionalism, and a passion for building strong, trust-based relationships. He is dedicated to delivering responsive, solutions-focused support for clients while driving Indigenous innovation and economic participation. Richard has seen firsthand the positive impact of Indigenous representation within the energy sector and is committed to mentoring and developing the next generation of Indigenous energy professionals.
Kevin Kalinko - Executive Director
Kevin has a background in senior management roles in ASX 100 and ASX 200 listed companies and in private equity. Kevin owns and manages a portfolio of companies spanning the energy, education and property services sectors. Kevin also sits on the Board and is involved with several not-for-profit and philanthropic organisations.
Gavin Karro - Executive Director
Gavin is qualified as an Australian Certified Practicing Accountant and a South African Chartered Accountant. Gavin has worked in senior management roles in the IT and communications industries in Australia, Europe and Asia. Gavin joined Michael McLeod as Message Stick’s first employee 15 years ago and has worked with him every step of the way as they built up Message Stick and helped forge the Indigenous business sector into the flourishing industry it is today.
Samantha Fitzgerald - Group General Manager
Samantha is the Group General Manager of Indigenous Energy Procurement and has over 18 years of experience in the Australian energy sector. Sam’s expertise across various facets of the energy industry has provided a unique outlook that is client focused and values oriented. Sam is highly regarded for her honesty and integrity and drives a culture of customer-first throughout the organisation.
Ben Robinson - Head of Sales & Strategy
Ben has held senior management roles in financial services and founded a pioneering outdoor digital media company which later exited in 2012. Ben’s background in both public and private energy management companies brings a wealth of energy knowledge to the table coupled with his innovative approach. Ben is passionate about forging sustainable partnerships and delivering successful outcomes for Government and large corporates with complex energy demands.