Rachelle Towart OAM is the Founder and Managing Director of Pipeline Talent, a 100% Aboriginal-owned executive recruitment and leadership advisory firm. With nearly a decade of experience connecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander talent to executive and board opportunities, Rachelle leads a team dedicated to culturally grounded recruitment, leadership development, and strategic advisory services. Under her leadership, Pipeline Talent has grown nationally, launching innovative platforms like Dreamjobz and MobConneX to transform Indigenous employment pathways across Australia.
When did you start your business?
2016
What was the inspiration behind starting this business?
The driving force behind Pipeline Talent came from recognising a critical gap in representation at senior leadership levels for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Despite the wealth of First Nations talent across Australia, executive recruitment processes often failed to reach, engage, or support Indigenous candidates in culturally safe and meaningful ways.
Rachelle Towart OAM saw the need for a recruitment agency that didn’t just “fill roles” but instead worked in partnership with organisations to build leadership pipelines, strengthen cultural safety, and deliver long-term outcomes for both candidates and clients. Her lived experience as a proud Aboriginal woman, coupled with decades of leadership and community advocacy, shaped Pipeline Talent’s unique approach—one grounded in respect, relationships, and results.
Today, that vision has grown to include innovations like Dreamjobz and MobConneX, expanding opportunities for First Nations talent across executive, board, and professional pathways nationally.
What are you most excited about in your business?
What excites me most about Pipeline Talent is our incredible team and the people we place into leadership roles. Every day, I get to work alongside passionate, values-driven professionals who genuinely care about creating change. Watching our team go above and beyond for clients and candidates is inspiring.
Equally rewarding is seeing the impact of our placements—knowing we’ve helped an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander leader step into a role where they can influence decisions, drive reconciliation, and create opportunities for others. That’s what keeps us motivated and makes this work so meaningful.
What has been the most challenging thing about starting your business?
The biggest challenge in starting Pipeline Talent was building awareness and trust in a completely new, Indigenous-owned executive recruitment model. When we began, there were few examples of Aboriginal-led businesses operating at a senior executive level, and many organisations didn’t yet understand the importance of culturally safe recruitment or the untapped potential of First Nations leadership.
At the same time, we had to manage all the realities of running a growing business—securing funding, scaling systems, attracting the right team—while staying true to our values. Balancing those practical challenges with our mission to create lasting impact for candidates and communities was tough, but it made us stronger and shaped the business we are today.
What advice would you give to other women thinking about starting a business?
My advice to other women thinking about starting a business is to back yourself and stay true to your vision. Surround yourself with people who believe in you, because the right mentors, supporters, and networks will make all the difference when challenges arise.
Don’t be afraid to start small—just start. You’ll learn, grow, and adapt along the way. And remember, success isn’t just about profit; it’s about building something with purpose, values, and impact that you can be proud of.
Why did you enter the AusMumpreneur Awards?
I entered the AusMumpreneur Awards to celebrate the journey of building a business while raising a family and to highlight what’s possible when women back themselves and each other. For me, it was about showcasing the impact Pipeline Talent is making in creating opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders, while also acknowledging the juggle of motherhood and entrepreneurship.
These awards are a chance to share our story, inspire other women, and connect with a community of like-minded entrepreneurs who understand the challenges and the triumphs of running a business and a family side by side.
What did you enjoy the most about being part of the awards?
What I enjoyed most about being part of the AusMumpreneur Awards was the sense of community and connection. It was inspiring to be surrounded by so many incredible women who are building businesses, raising families, and creating real impact in their communities.
I loved hearing their stories, celebrating each other’s successes, and realising we all share similar challenges and triumphs. The awards weren’t just about recognition—they were about support, encouragement, and belonging in a network of women who truly understand the juggle.
What surprised you most about the awards?
What surprised me most about the AusMumpreneur Awards was the incredible diversity of businesses and stories represented. Women from every corner of Australia, across so many different industries, came together with a shared passion for innovation, family, and community impact.
I was also struck by how supportive and uplifting the atmosphere was. Even though it was a competition, there was no sense of rivalry—just genuine encouragement and celebration of each other’s achievements. It was such a refreshing and inspiring experience.
How did the awards help you in your business?
The AusMumpreneur Awards helped raise the profile and visibility of both myself and Pipeline Talent, opening doors to new networks, collaborations, and opportunities. Being recognised on a national stage validated the hard work of our team and the impact we’re making in creating leadership pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
It also gave us a platform to share our story more widely, attracting potential clients, partners, and supporters who align with our values and vision. The experience has been a real confidence boost for the whole team.
What advice would you give to other mums thinking about entering the awards?
For other mums—especially Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mums—thinking about entering the AusMumpreneur Awards, my advice is simple: go for it. Your story, your business, and your journey deserve to be celebrated.
Don’t wait until you feel “ready” or think everything has to be perfect. These awards are about sharing your voice, connecting with other women, and showing the next generation what’s possible. For First Nations mums, it’s also a powerful way to highlight culture, resilience, and leadership on a national stage.
What has been the best thing about starting your own business?
The best thing about starting my own business has been the freedom to create something with purpose and impact. Building Pipeline Talent has allowed me to shape a business that reflects my values—one that champions Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership, delivers culturally safe recruitment, and opens doors for others.
It’s also incredibly rewarding to watch our team grow and to see the leaders we place thrive in roles where they can influence real change. That sense of legacy and community impact is what makes it all worthwhile.
What’s happening next in your business?
What’s next for Pipeline Talent is growth, innovation, and impact. We’ve recently launched Dreamjobz, a national job board for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander job seekers, and are preparing to launch MobConneX, a reverse job board connecting employers with pre-vetted First Nations talent.
We’re also expanding our executive search services, hosting national Talent Table events, and building stronger partnerships with organisations committed to reconciliation and diversity. The goal is simple: to create more pathways for Indigenous leadership and transform recruitment across Australia.
What are your big plans for the future?
Our big plans for the future focus on scaling impact nationally. We want to see Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders represented at every level of decision-making—across corporate, government, academic, and community sectors.
This means growing Pipeline Talent’s executive recruitment services, expanding Dreamjobz as the leading Indigenous job board, and launching MobConneX to revolutionise how employers connect with First Nations talent. We also plan to increase leadership development programs and cultural advisory services so organisations can build truly inclusive workplaces that deliver lasting change.
What is your website and/or social media links?
@rachelletowart
@dreamjobz_au
@pipelinetalent