And the winners are… Ten social change-makers have been announced winners at the 2023 Third Sector Awards, an annual award celebrating leadership and innovation into the purpose and impact-driven sector.  

Congratulations to all the finalists and winners of this year’s Third Sector Awards!  

This year’s awards, highlighted the innovative and progressive sector leaders and organisations. The winners of the Third Sector Awards were revealed at a ceremony at The Eveleigh by the Grounds, Sydney on the 13th of September.  

The Awards was put together in partnership with the Centre for Social Impact with an unbiased and objective point of reference, and nominees were judged based on their social impact, outcomes measurement, social innovation, collaboration, leadership and systems thinking.  

The winners are:  

CEO of the Year  

Kelda Oppermann, Zonta House Refuge Association  

Sponsored by:  Russell Investments 

Board Director of the Year  

Andrew Rasby, Miracle Babies Foundation  

Sponsored by: Elliott Gray 

Campaign/Marketing Executive of the Year  

Amelia Lawrence and Stephanie Cowan, Dress for Success Sydney

Volunteer of the Year  

Michelle Power, Lighthouse Foundation  

Social Entrepreneur of the Year  

Marjorie Tenchavez, Welcome Merchant   

First Nations Leader of the Year  

William Gordon, 3Bridges Community  

Sponsored by: CSnet 

Young Leader of the Year  

Rooan Al Kalmashi, SSI  

Emerging Leader of the Year  

Simon Crabb, Social Ventures Australia 

Small Charity of the Year  

Warrior Woman  

Emerging NFP of the Year  

Coonamble Aboriginal Health Service  

Sponsored by: Australian Ethical 

The ceremony was held in conjunction with Third Sector Live annual conference for leaders and decision-makers in the not-for-profit sector. This year’s conference theme is ‘Thriving through change: Strengthen your organisation for growth, resilience and financial sustainability’.

The speaker lineup for the two-day event included Corene Strauss, Australian Network on Disability CEO, Doug Taylor, The Smith Family CEO, Sue Woodward AM Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission (ACNC) Commissioner.