Australian Awards For Excellence In Women’s Leadership announce top women leaders to be awarded across every state and territory
Women & Leadership Australia (WLA) today announces Karen Mundine, CEO of Reconciliation Australia as the 2023 National Award recipient of the Australian Awards for Excellence in Women’s Leadership. This prestigious award celebrates exceptional Australian women who encourage change and make important contributions to advancing equity across all facets of our society.
Nominated by members of the public, the annual Australian Awards for Excellence in Women’s Leadership highlights the successes of Australian women leaders across various industries and their achievements. The Awards are an initiative of Women & Leadership Australia, one of the largest gender equity initiatives in Australia and globally, having directly supported more than 60,000 women through professional development programs, events and advocacy. Women & Leadership Australia forms part of global education provider, Navitas.
Karen Mundine over the course of her career has been an instrumental part in some of Australia’s watershed national events including the Apology to the Stolen Generations, Centenary of Federation commemorations, Corroboree 2000, and the 1997 and 2021 Australian Reconciliation Conventions. Ms Mundine will accept her award at the Australian Women’s Leadership Symposium in Brisbane on May 12, 2023.
“I carry in me my family history and the history of the Bundjalung Nation. My grandmother, mother and aunties – role models to me and many others – set standards and expectations through their resilience and their own achievements. My life experiences might be a bit different to them but I share their resourcefulness and resilience, their determination to live their lives on their own terms and with purpose.
“To achieve real, meaningful change – to our systems, to the way things have been done in the past – we need to have a diversity of people at the table. I remind all women, don’t underestimate what you might bring to the table – own it, everything you know you are, and all the things that you’re not – your perspective is unique,” says Karen.
Along with National Award winner Karen Mundine, WLA has announced a range of inspiring women as state and territory award recipients including: Founder of Share the Dignity and Women’s Equality Advocate, Rochelle Courtenay (QLD), Assistant Director, Collections and Exhibitions, National Gallery of Australia, Natasha Bullock (ACT), Lawyer, Marrickville Legal, Tu Le (NSW), CEO Beyond Blue, Georgie Harman (VIC), Tasmania’s Police Commissioner, Donna Adams (TAS), Chair, Batchelor Institute, Pat Anderson AO (NT), Youth Activist, Speaker and Author, Zahra Al Hilaly (WA) and Partner, Gilbert + Tobin, Former Vice Captain, The Matildas,Moya Dodd (SA).
“Ms Mundine has shown exceptional leadership and advocacy as the CEO of Reconciliation Australia. As Australia further continues down the path of treaty, truth telling and establishing a voice for our First Nations community, her ongoing leadership will be an example for us all. We are honoured that Ms Mundine is accepting this award,” says Karen Taylor, CEO of WLA.
The 2023 Australian Awards for Excellence in Women’s Leadership will be presented at various women’s leadership events throughout the year.
Previous recipients of the National Award include Christine Holgate, Natasha Stott Despoja AO, Nova Peris OAM OLY, Tracey Spicer AM, The Hon. Julia Gillard, The Hon. Dame Quentin Bryce AD CVO, Elizabeth Broderick AO, Ann Sherry AO, and Gail Kelly.