Ally of the Year Award — Assessment Questionnaire

Has the individual being nominated taken sustained, visible action to advance women or underrepresented talent over at least 12 months — not as a one-off gesture but as an ongoing commitment?

Sustained means multiple connected actions over time, not a single well-publicised initiative.

Has the nominee actively sponsored — rather than merely mentored — at least one individual from an underrepresented group, using their position to create access to opportunities or career-defining roles?

Sponsorship means actively using influence and relationships to advocate for someone's advancement. Answer yes only if there is a clear, named example.

Has the nominee visibly challenged exclusionary behaviour, structural bias or unfair practice — including in settings where doing so carried professional or social risk?

This may include challenging senior colleagues, restructuring processes or publicly reframing how the organisation talks about inclusion.

Do the people the nominee has supported acknowledge the tangible difference this individual made to their career or experience?

This should be evidenced by testimonials, references or third-party endorsements, not solely the nominator's assessment.

Has the nominee's allyship had visible impact beyond individual relationships — influencing team culture, organisational systems, policies or the wider industry?

Systemic impact distinguishes exceptional allies from good managers.

How many individuals from underrepresented groups has the nominee directly sponsored, mentored or formally advocated for in the past two years?

What measurable career outcomes have been achieved by the people this individual has sponsored or supported?

What structural or policy changes has the nominee driven — such as changes to hiring, promotion criteria, parental policies or pay equity reviews?

Over how long has the nominee demonstrated consistent allyship — and across how many different roles or organisational contexts?

How many people have submitted testimonials in support of this nomination — and what levels or roles do they represent?

Describe the most significant act of allyship this individual has demonstrated — the context, what they did and what changed as a result.

Use a specific, named example. Concrete evidence outweighs character descriptions. Include the nominee's own words where appropriate.

How has this individual used their formal authority, informal influence or personal credibility to create access and open doors — and how has their approach evolved over time?

Describe the methods: sponsorship conversations, restructured processes, public advocacy, deliberate acts of visibility.

What lasting impact has this individual had — and why should their approach be recognised and held up as a model?

Include testimonials or reflections from those supported. Explain why this goes beyond what is expected of someone in their position.