Tania Stevens

A proud Guruma and Yindjibarndi woman, Tania grew up in the Pilbara in a large, close-knit family deeply connected to Country and culture. At 12 she moved to a Perth boarding school, determined to pursue education despite distance from family. At 17 she returned to Karratha, working across education, health and rehabilitation to support Aboriginal communities. She also played a pivotal role in her community’s land-rights case around Tom Price, helping reclaim ancestral lands through cultural knowledge and advocacy. 

In 2004, Tania co-founded Eastern Guruma — a 100 per cent Indigenous, female-owned civil and mining company — to create meaningful employment opportunities for her people. From humble beginnings around the kitchen table, Tania built Eastern Guruma into a major industry contractor partnering with BHP, Rio Tinto and Fortescue. Under her leadership, the company has delivered major rehabilitation and infrastructure projects while driving sustainability through electric equipment and blending traditional environmental knowledge with modern engineering. Today, Eastern Guruma’s turnover exceeds $90 million, employing more than 300 people, including one-third Aboriginal staff. 

Tania champions Indigenous participation and women’s advancement through initiatives such as the Marangka Training Program, which achieved a 90 per cent graduation rate and supported 18 per cent Aboriginal women into industry roles. She mentors emerging leaders, funds community programs, and promotes cultural awareness across the sector.