They’re each doing their own thing, and they’re each having a significant impact.
Meet our 2016 Agenda Setter finalists of the 2016 Women’s Agenda Leadership Awards. We’ve named a record eight finalists in this category, in recognition of the fact we received so many excellent nominations, and to also acknowledge the importance of this award.
Those who’ve been following Women’s Agenda’s daily newsletter will know ‘Agenda Setters’ have become a significant part of what we do — we profile and celebrate true change agents and award a ‘daily agenda setter’ title to a different woman every day.
In our Leadership Awards, we do it a little more formally, calling on nominations from women who are making a difference, providing real solutions in the world today and are instrumental in building a smarter planet.
Our finalists are below, with the winner to be announced at a luncheon in Sydney today (Wednesday the 5th October).
Susan Harris Rimmer, Associate Professor, Griffith University
Susan has been instrumental in the formation of the W20 — a new advisory group to G20 leaders promoting gender-inclusive economic growth — and often represents Australia overseas on setting a new agenda for women. Named Australia’s first representative to the W20, along with journalist Anne Fulwood, she was part of a core drafting group for the communique, calling on the G20 leaders to consider 22 recommendations. Susan also helped design the Chatham House UK Forum, and is meeting the German W20 leadership in Bellagio to design the process for Chancellor Merkel to chair the W20 in Berlin, May 2017.
Romilly Madew, CEO, Green Building Council of Australia
Romilly has almost single-handedly driven Australia’s green building movement for more than a decade– with Australia now leading the world on green star ratings for buildings. Since being appointed to lead the then 10-staff strong Green Building Council of Australia a decade ago, she’s seen more than 1,300 projects around Australia achieve Green Star ratings, grown the team to more than 40, and seen 30% of Australia’s office space move to Green Star certification.
Samantha Gash, Social Entrepreneur
After years of planning and developing a partnership with World Vision, Samantha commenced her 3800km run across India in August 2016, all in a bid to raise funds and awareness for children’s education. Her ‘running for change’ movement is encouraging others to get involved from home, while documenting the plight of some of those she’s meeting on her journey. The campaign is an excellent example of peer-to-peer fundraising, opening opportunities for people to engage with the issue they’re supporting, rather than simply donating money.
Lucy Perry, CEO, Sunrise Cambodia
Lucy is setting a new agenda by encouraging small charities to think big, and implementing digital infrastructure that can enable fast growth. She moved from the advertising industry to the NFP sector in 2012, developing the team and fundraising strategy necessary to raise $7 million in two and half years to treat childbirth injuries in Ethiopia. More recently, she’s used her profile to make very public statements in support of women, and been appointed CEO of Sunrise Cambodia, where she has already raised $1 million in just eight months.
Saba Vasefi, Ambassador, Asylum Seekers Centre
Saba is an academic, writer, poet, filmmaker, and well respected campaigner against capital punishment in Iran. In 2010 Vasefi fled Iran, arriving in Australia with only a suitcase and her 10-year-old daughter. Since then, she’s used her leadership and artistic skills to set a new agenda on raising awareness on refugees and asylum seekers, as well as the plight of women and children around the world. Her documentary films have been aired internationally, telling real stories on the discrimination and abuse women face.
Wesa Chau, founder, Poliversity
Similar to Emily’s List, Wesa’s Poliversity is a new Australian Labor Party affiliated organisation, working with all multicultural communities to increase diversity in the party. Supported by senior ALP members including Bill Shorten, Tanya Plibersek, and Penny Wong, Poliversity is driving a new push to promote multiculturalism and cultural diversity across Australia.
Kristy McKellar, Family Violence and Social Change Consultant
Kristy is influencing Australia’s powerful leaders to create a national response to family/domestic violence, respect and equality. A survivor of family violence, and with a background in social work, she advocates on the issue by highlighting system failures and offering advice and ideas for reform. In an unprecedented event, she addressed both houses of the Victorian Parliament in a unique joint sitting on family violence, and has significantly contributed to the Victorian Royal Commission into Family Violence.
Kate Palmer, CEO, Netball Australia
Kate is promoting women’s sport across Australia, playing an instrumental role in growing netball at all levels, including through the development of the ANZ Championship and the new National Netball League (starting in 2017), She’s also led on negotiating a landmark broadcasting partnership for netball, increased corporate sponsorship, secured rights to major netball competitions and is promoting netball as a vehicle for change through community-based projects.
