Reconciliation Australia chief executive Karen Mundine has been honoured as the recipient of the National Award of the 2023 Australian Awards for Excellence in Women's Leadership.
The award, which celebrates exceptional Australian women who encourage change and make important contributions to advancing equity, is part of annual awards that highlight the achievements of women leaders across various industries.
Throughout her career, Ms Mundine has been instrumental in some of the nation's watershed national events including the Apology to the Stolen Generations, Centenary of Federation commemorations, Corroboree 2000, and the 1997 and 2021 Australian Reconciliation Conventions. She has more than 25 years of experience in leading community engagement, communications and public advocacy.
Ms Mundine also works with governments, the business sector and civil society to advocate for change.
Women's Leadership Australia chief executive Karen Taylor described Ms Mundine as an exceptional leader and advocate as the chief executive of Reconciliation Australia.
"As Australia further continues down the path of Treaty, truth-telling and establishing a voice for our First Nations community, her ongoing leadership will be an example for us all," Ms Taylor said.
Ms Mundine said "to achieve real, meaningful change - to our systems, to the way things have been done in the past - we need to have a diversity of people at the table".
"I carry in me my family history and the history of the Bundjalung Nation. My grandmother, mother and aunties - role models to me and many others - set standards and expectations through their resilience and their own achievements. My life experiences might be a bit different to them, but I share their resourcefulness and resilience, their determination to live their lives on their own terms and with purpose," she said.
"I remind all women, don't underestimate what you might bring to the table - own it, everything you know you are, and all the things that you're not - your perspective is unique."
Women and Leadership Australia is one of the largest gender equity initiatives in the nation and around the world, having directly supported more than 60,000 women through professional development programs, events and advocacy.
Ms Mundine will accept her award at the Australian Women's Leadership Symposium in Brisbane on 12 May 2023.
Other state and territory winners include the founder of Share the Dignity and Women's Equality Advocate Rochelle Courtenay (QLD), Assistant Director, Collections and Exhibitions, National Gallery of Australia, Natasha Bullock (ACT), Lawyer, Marrickville Legal, Tu Le (NSW), CEO Beyond Blue, Georgie Harman (VIC), Tasmania's Police Commissioner, Donna Adams, (TAS), Chair, Batchelor Institute, Pat Anderson AO (NT), Youth Activist, Speaker and Author, Zahra Al Hilaly (WA) and Partner, Gilbert + Tobin, Former Vice Captain, The Matildas, Moya Dodd (SA).
These winners will be presented with their awards at various women's leadership events throughout the year.
