HESTA Impact Awards finalists named

The inaugural HESTA Impact Awards will feature 11 finalists across three categories, recognising healthand community services professionals who are helping to create a better world.

The successful nominees bring a wide range of achievements in areas including sustainability, gender equity, diversity and inclusioninitiatives, and health literacy.

HESTA CEO Debby Blakey said the finalists "do incredible things every day" as they work to improve the future of our society, economy andplanet.

"These finalists are improving social and financial outcomes for women, preventing a phenomenalamount of waste from going to landfill, and going above and beyond to improve health and wellbeing ofpeople experiencing disadvantage.

"HESTA is so proud to help share and celebrate their life-changing stories and achievements. They aretrue heroes," Ms Blakey said.

An independent judging panel will select the winners of the three categories – Team Innovation,Outstanding Organisation and Individual Distinction – who will each take home $10,000 to helpcontinue their work.

Launched in 2020, the awards were inspired by the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs), a global blueprint for tackling challenges such as hunger, inequality and climate change by 2030.

HESTA has selected seven of the 17 SDGs to guide the health industry super fund's decision-making andactivities, and to support its delivery of strong and sustainable long-term returns formembers.

"HESTA is committed to making the world a better place for our members to live, work and retire intoand we are proud to have been the first major Australian super fund to commit to a total portfolio 'netzero by 2050' emissions target," Ms Blakey said.

"The HESTA Impact Awards tie together the work we do in pursuit of our chosen SDGs through ouradvocacy, responsible investment and thoughtful stewardship of our members' savings."

The award winners will be announced on Wednesday 24 February 2021 via a live, public broadcast on awards.hesta.tv

For more information, visit HESTA's awards website.

<span style="text-decoration: underline">The 2021 HESTA Impact Awards finalists are:</span>

TEAM INNOVATION

The Living Room – Youth Projects Ltd, Melbourne VIC

YWCA Asista Program Team – YWCA Australia, South Melbourne VIC

Facilities Management Team – Bendigo Health, Bendigo VIC

OUTSTANDING ORGANISATION

Housing All Australians Ltd, VIC

The Water Well Project, Malvern VIC

Ishar Multicultural Women's Health Services,Mirrabooka WA

Big Group Hug, Bundoora VIC

INDIVIDUAL DISTINCTION

Jodie Bergsma– Dress for Success Sydney, Marrickville NSW

Julia Claire Hales– My Place WA Ltd. and Black Swan State Theatre Company, Subiaco WA

AJ Williams-Tchen – Girraway Ganyi Consultancy, Balwyn VIC

Melissa Browning– Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service, Southport QLD

HESTA is APHA's Diamond Sponsor.

Read more: HESTA Excellence Awards winners named

Read more: HESTA commits to climate change plan

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