Partnership and vision
For over 20 years, Michael McLeod and Dug Russell have shared a partnership built on trust, vision, and a deep commitment to social and economic change.
Michael, a Ngarrindjeri Monaro man and survivor of the Stolen Generations, has spent his adult life creating opportunities through business.
Dug, with a corporate background and a passion for social impact, brought strategic insight and unwavering support to that mission.
Together, they co-founded Message Stick in 2003 with a simple idea, that an Indigenous owned business could lead in delivering professional services at the highest level.
BUILDING MESSAGE STICK
In 2003, Michael McLeod and Dug Russell came together with a shared vision: to create a business that would empower First Nations people through economic participation and challenge the status quo in corporate Australia. Michael, a Ngarrindjeri Monaro man and member of the Stolen Generations, brought lived experience and resilience to the partnership. Dug, with a background in corporate leadership and a deep respect for Indigenous communities, complemented Michael’s vision with strategic insight. Their collaboration led to the founding of Message Stick Communications, starting with a modest $29 invoice for audiovisual work at Sydney City Council.
Over the next two decades, Message Stick evolved from its initial focus on audio and video conferencing to become a comprehensive ICT managed service provider. The company expanded its offerings to include cloud infrastructure, cybersecurity, managed services, and digital transformation solutions, serving both public and private sector clients across Australia . This growth was driven by a commitment to delivering high-quality, culturally informed services that meet the complex needs of modern organisations.
Beyond business success, Michael and Dug’s partnership sparked broader change. Recognising the need for systemic support for Indigenous enterprises, they co-founded Supply Nation in 2009, establishing a national framework to connect Indigenous businesses with corporate and government procurement opportunities . Today, Message Stick stands as a testament to their pioneering spirit, demonstrating how purpose-driven leadership can drive both commercial success and meaningful social impact.
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DEDICATED TO CHANGE
At Message Stick, our commitment to meaningful change is more than words, it’s woven into the foundation of who we are. Our Co-founder Michael McLeod, a survivor of the Stolen Generations, has championed reconciliation through enterprise, action, and truth-telling. Our annual Apology Breakfast brings together community leaders, survivors, and government to reflect on the National Apology and reaffirm our shared responsibility to close the gap for future generations.
That same purpose drives our broader initiatives. Michael co-founded Supply Nation to connect Indigenous businesses with procurement opportunities and shift the dial on economic inclusion. We also established the Message Stick Foundation to support First Nations youth with culturally safe programs that build resilience, confidence, and opportunity. Through these platforms, and in everything we do, we remain focused on creating long-term, systemic change.
SUPPLY NATION
Supply Nation is Australia’s leading supplier diversity organisation, connecting Indigenous businesses with corporate and government buyers. Co-founded by Michael McLeod in 2009, it has become a catalyst for economic empowerment, helping to build a strong, sustainable Indigenous business sector. By setting rigorous certification standards and fostering genuine procurement opportunities, Supply Nation plays a vital role in closing the gap and reshaping Australia’s commercial landscape.
MESSAGE STICK FOUNDATION
The Message Stick Foundation is dedicated to creating positive change for First Nations youth through culturally grounded programs that build strength, connection, and opportunity. Established to extend our impact beyond business, the Foundation delivers safe, community led initiatives that support healing, education, and leadership. With a focus on long-term outcomes, we aim to empower the next generation to thrive culturally, socially, and economically.
APOLOGY BREAKFAST
The Apology Breakfast is Message Stick’s annual event held to honour the National Apology to the Stolen Generations. Now in its 18th year, the event is delivered in proud partnership with the Healing Foundation and brings together survivors, community leaders, government, and allies to reflect, listen, and commit to meaningful reconciliation. More than a ceremony, it is a powerful platform for truth-telling, healing, and driving change, reminding us all of the shared responsibility to close the gap for future generations.