The AIEF journey started in 2008 with one scholarship student at a school in Sydney. Now more than 17 years on, we are proud to have witnessed over 1,000 young Indigenous people from around Australia who have graduated from school and university and gone on to make their mark on the world.
One story that continues to inspire is that of AIEF Scholarship Student Kahn who was originally featured in the AIEF 2015 Annual Report.
One of 12 sibings, Kahn left the family farm in Bairnsdale to follow in the footsteps of his older brothers and sisters. From a proud Gunai family, they inspired him to apply for an AIEF Scholarship to attend Melbourne Grammar School. At that time, Kahn’s dream was to be a farmer like his Dad.
AIEF supported Kahn throughout his time at school, with one-on-one career sessions and mentoring that helped him make key decisions about his future.
“The people you surround yourself with are really important and at Melbourne Grammar you’re surrounded by really good teachers who support you and want you to succeed,” Kahn said in 2015
A decade later and since finishing Year 12 in 2017, Kahn has entered the world of business and entrepreneurship.
Starting his first business at 20, Kahn has now had his hand in multiple ventures and learned plenty of lessons from the failures and successes of business.
“This journey hasn’t always been easy, but it’s been worth every step.”
Kahn has launched multiple brands in the food and beverage space into major Australian retailers. He continues to innovate and disrupt the market, with a new brand set to launch in a major retailer this August.
After attending the YPO Global Entrepreneur Summit in San Francisco recently, Kahn says he’s come to appreciate the power of sharing his story. He hopes to inspire other young Indigenous people to back themselves and bring their ideas to life.
“Growth comes down to persistence and building strong relationships. That’s where the magic happens.”
Kahn’s story is a powerful reminder of the transformative impact of education. We are proud of his achievements and of all AIEF Alumni for the difference they are making in their communities and beyond.
