Voting Opens for 2018 Impact 25 Awards
17 January 2019 at 8:30 am
Australia’s social sector is being asked to pick from more than 300 names to crown 2018’s most influential people.
A total of 337 people have been nominated as part of Pro Bono Australia’s 2018 Impact 25 awards, with voting now open.
The awards, run in partnership with Community Sector Banking, are an established accolade recognising the most influential people in the sector as nominated and voted for by their peers.
Pro Bono Australia CEO and founder Karen Mahlab AM said it was an inspiring list of people.
“I’ve had the great fortune of being able to read the Impact 25 nominations ahead of voting opening today. Just reading the stories of these determined, devoted, innovative and smart individuals has been enough inspiration to last me the whole of 2019. I guarantee you will find this too,” Mahlab said.
“It is Pro Bono Australia’s privilege to be able to bring to public awareness the valuable work of these 300-plus people nominated by their communities.
“Last year 21,000 people voted for 235 nominees. This year we have more than 300 nominees. I’d encourage you to do yourself a favour, have a read of these inspiring stories, and vote.”
People can vote for up to three of the nominated individuals.
The 25 nominees with the most votes will be crowned the Impact 25 award winners.
For the first time ever an esteemed judging panel – featuring Mahlab, Community Sector Banking CEO Andrew Cairns, Lisa Cotton, Narelle Hooper, Jon Bisset, Lindley Edwards and Peter Hunt AM – will also give Judges’ Choice awards to four of the Impact 25 winners.
The judges’ awards will recognise winners across the categories: Innovation, Influence, Collaboration and Catalysation.
Those winners will receive a scholarship to attend the 2019 Harvard Club of Australia program, Leadership and Culture: DNA for an Age of Disruption, presented by Harvard Business School Professor Joshua Margolis.
Cairns said he was looking forward to judging the awards.
“These awards are a great opportunity to celebrate the work Australians are doing every day to drive better social outcomes and build stronger communities,” Cairns said.
“There are many people from across the sector who are delivering impactful work that is contributing to societal change and making a more inclusive and equitable society.
“I’m looking forward to judging the awards and I encourage everyone to vote for those individuals making a positive impact in our communities.”
Voting closes on 31 January.
Those who vote will be in the running to win one of five for-good hampers, including contributions from Songbird, Big Little Brush, Mister Timbuktu and the Human Rights Arts and Film Festival (valued at $276 each).
