Media releases
Nominations open for the 2015 Australian Financial Review and Westpac 100 Women of Influence Awards
19 June 2015
Celebrating the achievements of female leaders across Australia
Nominations are now open for The Australian Financial Review and Westpac 100 Women of Influence Awards, which are dedicated to recognising and celebrating Australia's most influential women.
Westpac Group Chief Executive Officer, Brian Hartzer and Fairfax Media Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Greg Hywood, officially launched the 2015 program in Sydney today with 2014 overall Woman of Influence Award winner, Elizabeth Broderick.
In its fourth year, the program is launching a new category and for the first time Australians are able to nominate women across the arts, sport and entertainment sectors for the 100 Women of Influence Awards under the category of Culture. Many women are leaders within these industries and this category will highlight their significant and meaningful contributions to Australian society.
At today's event, Mr Hartzer called for entries which recognised the outstanding work of inspirational women who have shown influence within their sectors.
Mr Hartzer said, "The Australian Financial Review and Westpac 100 Women of Influence Awards have a real and lasting impact, and give well-deserved recognition to women who are inspiring change right across the country. The influence and impact the 300 alumni have in their respective sectors are testament to this.
"I'm asking individuals and companies across Australia to join us, and take this opportunity to call out those women whose influence is shaping our country as we know it.
"Women like Elizabeth Broderick, the 2014 Woman of Influence, who has given Australia the confidence to fight for a fairer and more sustainable future.
"For Australia to prosper we need to lead the charge in recognising the value of bold and diverse leaders - it's good for women, it's good for business and in fact, it's a national imperative. It makes economic sense to not only get more women into the workforce, but to also help them achieve their full potential.
"That's why Westpac Group has this year announced our Equilibrium Program, an initiative to recruit experienced women from other industries to widen our 'pipeline' of female leaders for senior management roles," said Mr Hartzer.
Fairfax Media CEO Greg Hywood said: "Together with Westpac, The Australian Financial Review is proud to champion the most influential, visionary and inspirational women in Australia. This year's 100 Women of Influence Awards builds on the powerful momentum the program has achieved to date. The addition of Culture to this year's categories broadens the conversation even further. From well-known public figures such as last year's overall winner Elizabeth Broderick, to rising stars, the awards amplify some of the most extraordinary stories of strength, determination, commitment, passion and enthusiasm.
"At Fairfax, we promote gender diversity, equality and inclusiveness in our workplace. We believe that telling the positive stories of women has a powerful impact in helping individuals - men and women - and companies to embrace change for the better.
"Through the Awards, we are seeking the next 100 women to shine bright as true leaders and share their stories, achievements and triumphs to inspire others."
The overall 2014 Woman of Influence and Diversity category winner Mrs Broderick said, "It was such an honour to be named as the overall winner of the 2014 Australian Financial Review and Westpac 100 Women of Influence Awards. On occasion, when presented with the enormity of creating a more gender equal world, it can be easy to lose faith in the possibility of change. That's why awards such as these are so important. They reveal the breadth and extent of women's contribution and the importance of creating an Australia where both women and men can thrive.
"The awards teach us about the barriers women face in achieving social and economic advancement but they also allow us to see where the solutions lie. Most importantly these awards help to inspire other women to step up as powerful agents of change. You can't be what you can't see so the Women of Influence Awards will remain a key enabler for women's progression in Australia for many years to come. If we are to forge lasting change we must celebrate women's achievement, so I encourage you to nominate someone you admire or nominate yourself."
The ten categories for the 2015 program are Board/Management, Public Policy, Young Leader, Social Enterprise and Not-for-Profit, Culture, Global Influence, Innovation, Local/Regional Community, Diversity and Business Enterprise. Entries will be assessed by a panel of well-regarded judges, which will be announced in the coming weeks.
Nominations for the 2015 100 Women of Influence Awards open Friday, 19 July 2015, and close on 9th August 2015. Entries can be submitted online at www.100womenofinfluence.com.au.
A gala event celebrating the 100 Women of Influence winners and announcing the category and overall winners will be held at Sydney Town Hall on Thursday, 15 October 2015.
Financial Review BOSS editor Joanne Gray alongside Ainslie van Onselen Head of Inclusion and Diversity at Westpac will co-chair the judging for 2015.
We would like to thank former co-chair judges Narelle Hooper and Catherine Fox for their valuable contribution and involvement in the establishment years of the program.
For further information please visit: www.100womenofinfluence.com.au.
Please join the conversation at #100WOI
Notes to Editors
100 Women of Influence Awards Categories:
- Board/Management
- Public Policy
- Diversity
- Business Enterprise
- Young Leader
- Global
- Local/Regional
- Innovation
- Culture
- Social Enterprise and Not-for-profit
Entry and Judging Criteria
Candidates will be judged on their demonstrated vision, leadership, innovation and action in and beyond their field; their impact and how it was achieved.
The judging panel will give consideration to:
- Personal, academic, professional and community achievements.
- Demonstrated performance in their field.
- Demonstration of collaboration within and beyond their field, and a wider circle of influence than their direct role.
- How their influence has contributed to women's social and economic advancement.
- Involvement and contribution to Australian communities through collaboration and mentoring.
- Extent to which their contribution was achieved in new and creative ways.
Key Dates and How to Enter
- Entries open - Friday, 19 July 2015
- Entries close - Sunday, 9th August 2015
- Finalists announced in The Australian Financial Review in early October
- Entry forms can be downloaded at www.100womenofinfluence.com.au
- Completed entries can be uploaded online at www.100womenofinfluence.com.au
- For more information about the 2015 100 Women of Influence Awards, please visit www.100womenofinfluence.com.au
- Winners announced - Thursday, 15 October 2015 at a gala event held in Sydney's Town Hall