(Australian LGBTQ+ Inclusion Awards 2022)
The finalists for the 2024 Australian LGBTQ+ Inclusion Awards have been announced ahead of a glittering ceremony being held in Sydney on 31 May. The awards will see business leaders, diversity champions, HR professionals and many more actively working on LGBTQ+ inclusion come together at the ICC Grand Ballroom in Sydney to celebrate greater inclusion throughout Australian workplaces over the past year.
First held in 2011, the Awards are based on the results of the Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI) Submissions, which allows Australian organisations to benchmark their LGBTQ+ inclusive policies and practice on an annual basis. The event acknowledges and celebrates the organisations demonstrating foundational and progressive efforts toward making all workplaces inclusive for all.
The event is produced by Pride in Diversity, the national not-for-profit diversity inclusion program spearheaded by Australia’s largest LGBTQ+ health organisation ACON.
This year, the Australian LGBTQ+ Inclusion Awards will be hosted by drag icon Courtney Act and broadcaster Jeremy Fernandez and will feature a performance from the cast of & Juliet.
Being held for the first time at the ICC Grand Ballroom, the awards will be attended by CEOs, dignitaries, senior executives, HR and diversity practitioners, employee network leaders, and members of LGBTQ+ employee networks and allies, all of whom have made a significant impact to LGBTQ+ inclusion in their workplaces.
Director of ACON’s Pride Inclusion Programs, Dawn Emsen-Hough, said: “We are thrilled that the Australian LGBTQ+ Inclusion Awards are back after a brief hiatus to refresh the Index. We have some record-breaking results within the AWEI Submissions this year, highlighting the importance that participating organisations are placing on this work.
“We know from the AWEI Employee Survey that many within our community have been impacted by the negativity and misinformation that is playing out in social media and the country more broadly. The number of people out to all at work is continuing to decline with respondents indicating that this is a significant reason. It is therefore critical that there remains a high level of focus on this important aspect of Diversity and Inclusion.
“These awards are a testament to the remarkable commitment of organisations who understand that importance and the individuals who are strong visible allies for LGBTQ+ people at their places of work. We hope this sends a powerful message to Australian employees that we are working incredibly hard to ensure that you can feel safe and empowered to bring your whole self to work,” Emsen-Hough added.
The 2024 Australian LGBTQ+ Inclusion Awards is on Friday 31 May 2024. For more information, click here.
ENDS
For more information please contact: David Alexander, ACON Media and Communications E: dalexander@acon.org.au T: (02) 9206 2044 M: 0428 477 042
2024 AUSTRALIAN LGBTQ+ INCLUSION AWARDS FINALISTS
CEO OF THE YEAR
- David Locke, Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA)
- Mike Burgess, Australian Securities Intelligence Organisation (ASIO)
- Murat Dizdar, NSW Department of Education
EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP AWARD
- Chris Waite, IHG
- Jess Huf, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Australia and New Zealand
- Nicky Bell, Services Australia
- George Hughes, The Star Entertainment Group
LGBTQ+ INCLUSIVE INNOVATION AWARD
- ABC’s Retracing the steps of the first Mardi Gras, Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)
- American Express World Pride Activation: &Proud, American Express
- Queer Careers, EY Oceania
- Voices of Our People, KPMG Australia
- Sydney World Pride Activation, Minter Ellison
LGBTQ+ ROLE MODEL OF THE YEAR
- Sarah Bateson, Bendigo and Adeliade Bank
- Damian Bachor, Clifford Chance
- Jed Shiels, Gold Coast Health
- Renee Shike, MinterEllison
- Kim Lee, NAB
NETWORK LEADER OF THE YEAR
- Luke Nixon, Brisbane City Council
- Federica Pasterino, Charter Hall
- Luke Butler, Compass Group
- Michelle Pallas, KPMG Australia
- Craig Dumas, The Star Entertainment Group
SALLY WEBSTER ALLY AWARD
- Anthony Massaro, Russell Kennedy Lawyers
- Hannah Venn-Brown, Services Australia
- Justine Knight, The GPT Group
SAPPHIRE INSPIRE AWARD
- Lisa Walton, Deloitte
- Maggi Hughes, EY Oceania
- Catherina Behan, Suncorp