AHRI Awards 2023
Individual Categories
Recognising outstanding HR and DEI professionals and the contributions made to their organisation and the profession.
2023 Individual Award Winners
Thank you to everyone who submitted an application and a special congratulations to our winners.
HR Leader of the Year
2023
WINNER
Natasha Cuthbert MAHRI
Viva Energy Australia
“Natasha Cuthbert embodies the values we aspire to as HR professionals. Her ‘Smart from the Heart’ core value radiates through the company’s HR practices. Natasha ensures that all employees are treated with dignity so that they can grow, belong, and thrive. The statistics show dramatic improvement in employee experience at Viva Energy and these experiences help the company succeed in the changing marketplace.”
Dave Ulrich, AHRI Awards Patron
2023
FINALIST
Charmaine Higgins MAHRI
Ventia
2023
FINALIST
Dorothy Hisgrove CAHRI
KPMG Australia
2023
FINALIST
Nancy Ilacqua MAHRI
Transport Asset Holding Entity of NSW
2023
FINALIST
Jane Miskell CAHRI
Equifax ANZ
2023
FINALIST
Donna Storen MAHRI
CEA Technologies
HR Professional of the Year
Sponsored by
2023
WINNER
Victoria Khoury MAHRI
Ventia
“Their ‘Future Ready’ program helps Ventia build the organization for the future with a stronger culture, leadership team, workplace, and employee base. Victoria Khoury’s People and Culture team partners with business leaders to help Ventia succeed in the market. Victoria has encouraged open dialogue to both celebrate success and make improvements for the future, she models the partnership that HR professionals should have with their business leaders.”
Dave Ulrich, AHRI Awards Patron
2023
FINALIST
Ashleigh Freeman MAHRI
DT Infrastructure
2023
FINALIST
Megan Humphreys
Ventia
2023
FINALIST
Janine Jackson MAHRI
Loddon Shire Council
Future HR Leader of the Year
Sponsored by
2023
WINNER
Gabbi Baus
Sanitarium Health Food Company
“Gabbi Baus models the critical skills of emerging HR leader. She entered the organization committed to learn and to form relationships so that she could make a positive impact. Gabbi had the wisdom to diagnose what to improve and the courage to initiate action to make a difference, she does not hesitate to see what needs to be done and to act both by herself and in partnership with others. Gabbi embodies the future of HR, always learning and making a difference.”
Dave Ulrich, AHRI Awards Patron
2023
FINALIST
Penny London
Emali Early Learning Centres
2023
FINALIST
Amber Skidmore MAHRI
BAE Systems
CEO DEI Champion of the Year
2023
WINNER
David Locke
Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA)
HR DEI Champion of the Year
2023
WINNER
Katie Wyatt MAHRI
Coles Group
2023
FINALIST
Jennifer Macklin FCPHR
Department of Defence
HR Leader of the Year
Recognising the most senior HR or people function leader in an organisation who demonstrates active leadership by achieving…
HR Professional of the Year
Recognising generalist or specialist HR professionals who can demonstrate valuable contribution to their organisation…
Future HR Leader of the Year
Recognising HR professionals in the early stages of their career who are actively demonstrating their potential as future HR leaders…
CEO DEI Champion of the Year
Recognising organisation leaders who actively lead safe cultures and ensure DEI is a priority, demonstrating…
DEI Champion of the Year
Recognising DEI professionals who help create safe cultures and prioritise DEI in their organisation, demonstrating commitment…
AHRI Award Patrons
Dave Ulrich
Dave Ulrich is the Rensis Likert Professor at the Ross School of Business, University of Michigan and a partner at the RBL Group…
Martin Seligman
Dr. Martin E.P. Seligman is the Director of the Penn Positive Psychology Center and Zellerbach Family Professor of Psychology…
Graeme Innes
Graeme Innes AM is a lawyer, author, and company director. He is the Chancellor of CQUniversity, and a member of the boards…
Elizabeth Broderick
Elizabeth is Principal of EB&Co. a specialist consultancy focusing on high-level strategic consulting and transformation…
Michael Kirby
Michael Kirby was first appointed to judicial office in 1975. He successively served on the Arbitration Commission…
Proudly supported by our sponsors
We are looking for exceptional HR professionals who will benefit from a range of prizes and development opportunities.
Speak to our commercial team to discuss award sponsorship opportunities.
Key dates
Applications are
now closed
Finalists have been announced
Winners have been announced