HALL OF FAME HONOREES
Her Excellency the Honourable Sam Mostyn AC, Governor Geeneral of Australia
A record of firsts and lasting impact
- Trailblazer in Australian sport — In 2005, Mostyn became the AFL’s first female commissioner, helping drive the league’s Respect and Responsibility policy and laying groundwork that lifted standards for women and girls in football.
- Economic equality reform — As Chair of the Women’s Economic Equality Taskforce, her advice informed the Australian Government’s decision to pay superannuation on government Paid Parental Leave from 1 July 2025, a structural step to narrow the retirement gap.
- Responsible capital leadership — As Chair of Aware Super, one of Australia’s largest funds, she has presided over an agenda linking long-term performance with climate action and gender equity.
- First Nations education champion — After a decade on the board, Mostyn became Patron of the GO Foundation in 2025, supporting scholarships for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.
- Shaping the ‘care economy’ narrative — As CEW President, her National Press Club platform helped reframe policy debate from career alone to care and participation, influencing subsequent budgets and reforms.
“Hall of Fame honourees are selected for contributions that are both pioneering and proven. Sam’s work shows up in safer codes of sport, better retirement outcomes for parents, clearer pathways for First Nations students, and a more human economy,” Sweeney added.
Lisa Annese , CEO of Chief Executive Women
A record of consistency & achievement
We recognise Lisa Annese, CEO of Chief Executive Women, for sustained national impact on gender equity. At Diversity Council Australia she grew membership to ~1,400 organisations and led research that helped mainstream flexible work and deepen inclusion capability. In 2025, as CEW CEO, she has championed accountability for leadership pipelines and pay equity, and taken the CEW Senior Executive Census national conversation forward.
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Lisa developed the first-ever census of Australian Women in Leadership, while at WGEA (or its predecessor).
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She also helped create the first-ever Business Achievement Awards and the “Employer of Choice for Women” citation at WGEA/EOWA.
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She contributed to the policy framework implementation for the EOWA Act 1999 (which eventually evolved into WGEA) with Australian businesses.
Hall of Fame honourees are selected for their far-reaching impact. Lisa Annese’s work laid the foundations for today’s accountability on gender equity, ensuring that transparent data, clear standards, and proven practices continue to move women into leadership and strengthen Australia’s economy.
