THE JUDGING PROCESS

Submissions undergo a comprehensive and rigorous assessment process.

Judges are employment and business leaders with expertise in the areas of recruitment, placement, social inclusion, youth engagement and mental health.

NESA has engaged leading awards specialists, Awards Absolute, to work closely with the Association to independently audit the judging. This ensures that the Awards are transparent, credible and equitable.

The 2017 judges are:

Marion Webster, AO

Marion has worked in the not-for-profit and philanthropic sector in Australia and internationally. She is currently the Executive Director of Kilfinan Australia, a simple concept which involves matching senior corporate and public sector leaders with not for profit CEOs to provide confidential, free, one-on-one mentoring. She was previously founding director of Philanthropy Australia and has worked as a CEO in child and family welfare, as well as migrant and refugee services. Marion was a founding trustee and Chair of Australian Communities Foundation, a founding trustee of Auckland Communities Foundation, and founding Chair of Fitted for Work. In 2004 she was awarded an OAM for services to philanthropy and the community.

Dr Peter Laver, AM

After 40 years working with BHP in senior positions, Peter retired in 1998 to pursue other interests where he remains passionate – education, science, innovation and employment.

A former Chancellor of the Victorian University of Technology, he has held more than 30 Chair, President, Vice-President and Director standings.

This has included for organisations such as the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering, National Board of Employment Education and Training, Victorian Learning and Employment Skills Commission, Community Advisory Council for the Community Support Fund, and the Prime Minister’s Science Prizes. In addition, he provides voluntary expertise to many not-for-profit organisations. 

Adrian Panozzo

Adrian is the Director of Better Life Group, a social impact and strategy company dedicated to developing organisational change, shared value and social enterprise business solutions to social issues. He has also been highly influential in guiding organisations through positive transformation by integrating people, community, social and business goals into their vision while the CEO of Apricot Consulting. Prior to accepting the role with Apricot, Adrian was the CEO of Reclink Australia. Under his guidance, Reclink grew in membership of community organisations from 100 to more than 500.

Some of his other achievements include a Churchill Fellowship, Stanford University’s Executive Program for Not for Profit Leaders, and two times finisher of the Marathon de Sable - a 260km seven-day race across the Sahara Desert.

Damien Woods

Damien is a Human Resources professional with extensive experience in Learning & Development, talent management, strategic HR and organisation design. With a successful track record in complex, global operating environments and high-level stakeholder management skills, he has held positions of influence with Rio Tinto, Ernst & Young, and the Centre for Business Work and Ageing.

A former Australian Football League umpire and umpire trainer, Damien is currently Senior Manager, Global Learning Shared Services, for the ANZ bank.

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