Do you know an innovator? A changemaker? A collaborator extraordinaire?
Nominations are now open for Pro Bono Australia’s 2021 Impact 25 Awards, giving people the chance to nominate who they think have been this year’s most influential people in the social sector.
Amid the chaos and extreme challenges of 2020, there has been an emergence and growth of strong and innovative leaders in the sector.
Pro Bono Australia is again calling on the social sector to recognise those individuals who have worked tirelessly to create a positive impact in a year full of turmoil.
Karen Mahlab AM, Pro Bono Australia founder and CEO, said it was important in such a testing year that extraordinary people fighting for good were recognised.
“2020 has tested us personally, tested the systems that operate to keep us safe, the priorities of our governing structures and the workings of all our sectors; community, government and business,” Mahlab said.
“This year has called for inner strength and external action.
“We call on everyone who has seen extraordinary actions to nominate people they know, admire and respect in the year that was COVID 2020.”
Previous winners over the years include Greg Mullins AO AFSM, former commissioner Fire and Rescue NSW; Ronni Kahn AO, CEO of OzHarvest; Kon Karapanagiotidis OAM, founder of the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre; and Rosie Batty AO, anti-domestic violence advocate.
On becoming an Impact 25 winner last year, Greg Mullins AO AFSM said the recognition made him realise that his message was getting through.
“Being outspoken and advocating for change can be quite lonely, because sometimes you upset people in powerful positions who will work hard to maintain the status quo,” Mullins said.
“Passionate change agents do what they do because they feel a duty, not to get accolades, but I have to say that it was humbling and reinforced my resolve when I was recognised in the 2019 Impact 25 awards.”
The awards are open to all those engaging across the social economy: from charities and not for profits, philanthropists, social enterprises, impact investors and corporates looking to do good.
Due to the overwhelming number of nominations received in previous years, Pro Bono Australia will curate a list of 150 nominees from the pool of all nominations to present to the public for voting.
The 25 nominees with the most votes will be crowned the Impact 25 Award winners.
From the final 25 award winners, a panel of judges will choose a winner for each of the following three categories: Innovator, Influencer, and Collaborator.
Nominations will close on 9 December.
