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Advance Awards 2020 : Introducing our 37 Finalists


Meet the finalists

Congratulations to the 37 finalists of the Advance Awards 2020. You can watch the Advance Awards 2020 celebration here.


Alumni Award

The Alumni Award recognises graduates of Australian universities who are neither resident in Australia, nor Australian citizens and have leveraged their Australian education to achieve success and impact in their chosen field.

The Award will be presented by Zoe Daniel, former bureau chief for the ABC in Washington and former foreign correspondent. Meet the finalists Premesh Chandran, Nukila Evanty, Dr Vandana Joshi and former winners of this Award.


Arts Award

The Advance Award for the Arts recognises Global Australians who are using their creative skills (across art and design, architecture, fashion, film, literature, music, and other performing arts) in innovative ways, such as working across creative mediums or introducing creative concepts into new markets.

The Award will be presented by Robi Stanton, Vice President, International Television Distribution at Warner Bros. for Australia & New Zealand. Meet the finalists Garry McQuinn, Dr Christian Thompson AO, Christopher Doyle and former winners of this Award.


Asia Impact

One of Advance’s ‘Pinnacle’ Awards, the Asia Impact Award recognises a Global Australian who is making an outstanding contribution in the world’s most populous region.

The Award will be presented by Doug Ferguson, NSW Chairman of KPMG. Meet the finalists Cat Thao Nguyen, Dr Ross Chiu, Thomas Ko and former winners of this Award.



Commercial Creatives

The Advance Commercial Creatives Award recognises Global Australians who shape the delivery of creative endeavours (art and design, architecture, fashion, film, literature, music, and other performing arts) with a focus on sustainable commercial outcomes, and in so doing, extend the audience reach and push the frontiers of innovation.

The Award will be presented by Carol Schwartz AO, Board Member, Reserve Bank of Australia. Meet the finalists Jess Conoplia, Charles Caldas, Tim Kentley Klay and former winners of this Award.

Education Award

The Advance Award for Education recognises Global Australians who have established new and innovative academic products, or approached learning disciplines with a fresh perspective, driving a positive impact for education and lifelong learning. 

The Award will be presented by Melanie Brock, Founder Nichigo Network and Advance Ambassador in Japan. Meet the finalists Olivia Humphrey, Professor Justin Wolfers, Professor Karen Thorpe and former winners of this Award.


Emerging Leader

The Advance Award for Emerging Leaders recognises Global Australians who represent the next generation of Australian innovators, thought leaders, creators and collaborators – the people who have the talent and the tenacity to showcase Australian ingenuity to the world.

The Award will be presented by Peter Verwer AO, Prime Minister’s Special Envoy for Global Business and Talent Attraction. Meet the finalists Dr Pichamon Yeophantang, Dr Sameul Wills, Dr Susan Graham and Yong in Cho.


Financial Services

The Advance Award for Financial Services recognises Global Australians making a difference and looking at new ways to tackle issues and/or make an impact through their work in financial services.

The Award will be presented by Senator the Hon. Jane Hume, Assistant Minister for Superannuation, Financial Services and Financial Technology. Meet the finalists Jennifer Nason, Paul Chapman, Shuyin Tang and former winners of this Award.


Life Sciences

The Advance Award for Life Sciences recognises those Global Australians who are trailblazers dedicated to improving health and wellbeing outcomes and our understanding of living organisms. 

The Award will be presented by Professor Karen Day. Meet the finalists Professor Jill Banfield, Professor John McHutchison AO, Dr Sandro Demaio and former winners of this Award.


Social Impact

The Advance Award for Social Impact recognises Global Australians working in the profit, non-profit or public sector whose sustained actions to improve society are making a positive impact on the lives of others.

The Award will be presented by Deanne Stewart, CEO of Aware Super (Formerly First State Super). Meet the finalists Andrew Hudson, Nicholas Wyman, Samah Hadid, Sophie Blackall and former winners of this Award.


Sustainability Award

The Advance Award for Sustainability recognises Global Australians individuals who have created, innovated, designed or delivered sustainable processes or programs that not only make a positive contribution to local and global communities, but help improve the future of our planet. 

The Award will be presented by Professor Gregory McRae, Bayer Professor of Chemical Engineering. Department of Chemical Engineering Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Meet the finalists Dr Bart Kolodziejczyk, Caroline Angoorly, Professor Jenni Evans and former winners of this Award.


Technology and Science

The Advance Award for Technology and Science Award recognises Global Australians who harness their research expertise and experience to drive innovation, solve problems, and create new markets that propel the frontiers of science. 

The Award will be presented by Robyn Denholm, Chairman of Tesla. Meet the finalists Professor Bryan Gaensler, Professor Daryl Williams, Dr Abigail Allwood, Dr David Pender and former winners of this Award.


Share the news

Follow the conversation on Twitter and feel free to share your stories by tagging @Advance and using the hashtag #AdvanceAwards2020. 


Sponsorships

Why not sponsor a winner? The Advance Awards 2020 give us all an opportunity to invest in our people and most importantly, to inspire the next generation of Australian global leaders. There are a wide range of sponsorship opportunities designed for all budgets and ambitions. Contact our Sponsorship Lead for more information. Together we can continue to deliver the services that Australia needs now more than ever and celebrate the achievements of our remarkable Australian leaders on the global stage. 


About

Advance.org is the trusted platform that connects global Australians with one another and with Australia. We do this to unlock the economic and cultural opportunities through collaboration, investment and innovation. We are the only organisation to recognise and celebrate the achievements of global Australians who are at the forefront of their field to inspire the next generation. Advance is the only Australian organisation that does this. 

We have as our Patron, the Prime Minister of Australia, the Hon. Scott Morrison MP. Our founding patron is Anthony Pratt and the Advance.org board is chaired by Yasmin Allen and includes leaders in their field and our CEO is Maria MacNamara. We have a strong network of volunteer Advance Ambassadors in country. We are also supported by an Asian Advisory Committee led by Michelle Garnaut AO. Our program of work in 2020 is captured here


with thanks to our Partners and Sponsors