Pro Bono Australia opens nominations for 2021 Impact 25 Awards

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. 

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.

Pro Bono Australia Founder and CEO Karen Mahlab said the extreme challenges of 2020 have led to the emergence and growth of strong and innovative leaders in the sector, and that the awards offer a chance to recognise those individuals who “have worked tirelessly to create a positive impact in a year full of turmoil.” 

“2020 has tested us personally,” she said, “and 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.”  

“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. 

“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,” Mr Mullins said.

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. Further information is available here.