Pro Bono Australia Launches 2016 Impact 25 – Nominate Now
3 November 2016 at 10:14 am
For the third time, readers of Pro Bono Australia will choose 2016’s 25 most influential people in the social sector – in a year that has seen great change.
Pro Bono Australia is launching its annual Impact 25, calling on its readers to nominate those people who influence the way they think and act – in a year that has seen the introduction of the National Disability Insurance Scheme, budget constraints, a growing housing and homelessness crisis, vigorous debates around marriage equality, refugees and detention centres, a strong national anti-family violence campaign, and the progress of social enterprises and new funding models.
Impact 25 is the only national accolade recognising the most influential people in the Australian social sector. We need your vote to honour them.
Some of Australia’s best-known CEOs, politicians, advocates and innovators, including students and refugees, have been recognised in previous years for their influence on a sector that accounts for 4.3 per cent of Australia’s GDP and employs more than one million people.
The members of Impact 25 spend their days advocating for the issues of the day, working with the disadvantaged and silenced groups, finding ways to improve efficiency, inspiring others and even leading the country.
Pro Bono Australia founder Karen Mahlab AM and head of business Matt Betts believe 2016 will see some strong competition in what is expected to be a big field of people who have been leading the way.
“We launched the first Impact 25 in 2014 in order to recognise the inspirational people in the social economy that do amazing and often unrecognised work,” Mahlab said.
“As our readers understand, the social economy covers all those people working for the common good whether they are in not-for-profit organisations, corporations, governments, social enterprises or notable individuals.”
Betts said: “2016 has been particularly tough and challenging and there will be many standout candidates. Last year more than 5,000 people nominated more than 200 people and then voted for the top 25.
“These influencers provide the building blocks for a resilient community and sustainable change – and its champions should be celebrated.”
Last year’s list included the overall winner, anti-family violence campaigner Rosie Batty, World Vision CEO Tim Costello, asylum seeker advocate Kon Karapanagiotidis, ACOSS CEO Dr Cassandra Goldie and the CEO of the ten20 Foundation Seri Renkin.
The youngest recipient of Impact 25 in 2015 was Paige Burton. This week she was announced as the Australian Youth Representative to the United Nations in 2017.
Burton is currently travelling to New York with the Australian diplomatic mission to represent Australian young people at the United Nations.
“Having the opportunity to represent the diversity of Australia’s young people on the
international stage is a huge honour,” Burton said.
The nomination process is open now and will close Monday 14 November. A shortlist will then be released for the public to vote on.
Influencers who receive the most votes will be announced as members of Pro Bono Australia’s Impact 25 in early December.
Readers can nominate up to three people for Pro Bono Australia’s Impact 25 here.
Nominate now and go into the draw to win one free ticket to the Fundraising Institute of Australia 2017 conference valued at $1,345.
