2021 marks the 3rd year of the release of the “Asian Australian 40 Under 40 Most Influential” list. The purpose of these awards and recognition is to acknowledge the achievements and contributions Asian Australians have and are making to all sectors in Australian society and how their work benefits and helps empower the Asian Australian community.
An initiative of Asialink at the University of Melbourne, the Australian National University, Johnson Partners and PwC Australia, the Awards form part of the Asian-Australian Leadership Summit (AALS) 2021. Here is a small blurb from the Asian Australian Leadership Summit (AALS) website:
“Now in its third year, this initiative seeks to reshape the debate and confront Australia’s “bamboo ceiling” – the underrepresentation of Asian-Australians in leadership positions. As communities, companies and governments rethink and reshape leadership for the post-pandemic world, now is the time to celebrate the powerful contribution of Asian-Australians to this country.”
Past winners include Darwin-based barrister Lyma Nguyen (2020 overall winner), LPGA golfer Minjee Lee, disability advocate Danny Hui, academic and Super Star of STEM Dr Muneera Bano (2019 overall winner), broadcaster Benjamin Law, educator Eddie Woo etc.
You can check out all the 2021 40 under 40 and category winners by clicking on this link. Over the next month, we will be interviewing the category winners and the 2021 overall winner Diana Nguyen. In saying that, here is something Diana Nguyen, the overall winner said to ABC News about her win:
“Take a risk and get into this industry,”
“[The best advice I can give] is just to show up, because you don’t know who’s watching you.”
“In 20 years’ time, I know I’ll still be in this industry. And I hope there’s another cohort of Asian-Australians who haven’t had to struggle so hard to be seen.”
Congratulations to Diana, to all the winners and to the 40 under 40 recipients!
Images via Asian Australian Leadership Summit