Third Sector Awards is back in 2021 to honour Australia’s best and finest workers, organisations, leaders, and volunteers in the not-for-profit sector.

This year, Third Sector has 10 award categories, namely: CEO of the year, Emerging Leader of the year, Board director of the year, Volunteer of the year, Social entrepreneur of the year, Campaign/marketing executive of the year, Young leader of the year, Influencer of the Year – judge’s choice, Small Charity of the year, and Emerging NFP of the year.

Third Sector’s panel of reputable judges come from a wide cross-section of the industry to ensure accurate, fair, and unbiased results.

Together, these judges will review the nominees based on a set of values set by the Center for Social Impact, which Third Sector believes are central to creating social change. Top 5 nominees will be published on the 2nd of August followed by a pubic voting.

The winners will be announced in 17 September in Sydney during the Third Sector Awards night.

Read more below to know more about our panel of judges.

Jack Heath – Chief Executive Officer, Philanthropy Australia

Jack brings to Philanthropy Australia a deep-seated belief in the ability of philanthropy to change lives. He served in the Government as a diplomat, speechwriter and senior adviser to Federal Ministers including Prime Minister Paul Keating. Jack led the establishment of the ReachOut youth mental health organisations in Australia, Ireland and the USA before serving as CEO at SANE Australia for over eight years.

Katherine Raskob – Chief Executive Officer, Fundraising Institute Australia

Katherine is the chief executive officer of Fundraising Institute Australia (FIA), the largest representative body for the $11.6 billion charitable fundraising sector. She also currently sits on the board of Girl Guides Australia, the national guiding organisation empowering girls and young women to grow into confident community members. Katherine is also an independent board director with PayPal Giving Fund (Australia).

Rodney Hyman, AM – Deputy Chair, Disaster Relief Australia

Rodney Hyman AM is presently a director of Disaster Relief Australia, a member of the Community Relations Committee of the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies, Treasurer of the Abraham Conference and Treasurer of the Strathfield Synagogue. In 2012 Rod was elected as a Member of the Order of Australia and is also a Life Fellow of the Australian Property Institute.

Dr Ruth Knight – QUT Australian Centre for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Studies

Dr Ruth Knight spent 25 years working in nursing, community health and homelessness before becoming a researcher and educator at QUT’s Australian Centre for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Studies. Ruth has been recognised with a Centenary Medal for her work in community services. Ruth is also the leading Australian researcher on philanthropic culture and its effect on donor wellbeing and fundraising performance.

Dr David Panter – Chair, SACOSS

David originally trained as a psychologist and has worked in health and social care in both the UK and Australia for over 42 years. He is currently the CE of profit-for-purpose ECH (Enabling Confidence at Home), Chair of the SA Council of Social Service, a Director of the Australian Council of Social Service and a Director of the sector peak body Leading Age Services Australia.

David Fisher – CEO, Housing Plus

David Fisher has been CEO of Housing Plus since 2016. Housing Plus is a regional community housing and services provider. It is currently building one of the largest regional affordable housing programs in NSW. It is also a Homeless and Domestic Family service provider. David is Vice Chair of Homelessness NSW and President of NCOSS.

David Crosbie – CEO, Community Council for Australia

David Crosbie is CEO of the Community Council for Australia, and has spent more than 25 years as CEO of significant not-for-profit organisations including 4 years as CEO of the Mental Health Council of Australia, 7 years as CEO of the Alcohol and other Drugs Council of Australia, and 7 years as CEO of Odyssey House Victoria. He serves on the Advisory Board of Impact Investing Australia.

Faiza El-Higzi OAM – Associate Director, Square Circle

Faiza El-Higzi OAM is a recognised social advocate for her work as a social change expert. She is a political scientist whose professional experience includes strategic policy at both state and federal levels, and refugee advocacy. Currently, Faiza’s focus as an academic is on power, gender and social inclusion. Faiza sits on a number of community organisation boards, volunteering her expertise at an executive level to build institutional capacity.

Michelle Ewington – Manager, Family & Community Services at Relationships Australia (Tasmania)

Michelle Ewington has a career spanning corporate and not-for-profit roles at state and national levels. Michelle manages a large portfolio spanning Family Law Services including leading program areas of Childrens Contact Centres, Parenting Separately Programs and Family Violence Advocacy & Support Services. She is the Chair of Volunteering Australia (VA) the peak body for Volunteering in Australia.

Belinda Dimovski – Director, Engagement & Support, Australian Red Cross

Belinda is currently the Director of Engagement and Support at Australian Red Cross responsible for marketing and communications, along with digital, government relations, media and PR as well as customer experience. Her remit also extends to fundraising and partnerships, retail and First Aid. Belinda is a 2020 Telstra Business Women’s Awards NSW state finalist in the ‘for purpose and social enterprise’ category.