Finalists announced for the 2024 Australian LGBTQ+ Inclusion Awards

The finalists for the 2024 Australian LGBTQ+ Inclusion Awards have been announced ahead of a glittering ceremony to be held in Sydney on 31 May 2024.

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.

“We are thrilled that the Australian LGBTQ+ Inclusion Awards are back after a brief hiatus to refresh the Index,” said Director of ACON’s Pride Inclusion Programs, Dawn Emsen-Hough. “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,” said Emsen-Hough.

The 2024 Australian LGBTQ+ Inclusion Awards takes place on Friday 31 May 2024. For more information, visit: www.pid-awei.com.au for details.

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: