2026 Diversity and Inclusion Excellence Award

This award recognises an individual who has demonstrated outstanding leadership and commitment to advancing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) within the corporate real estate industry. The recipient drives meaningful, measurable change across dimensions such as culture, race, religion, age, gender, sexuality, neurodiversity and ability, through a specific initiative, ongoing role, or broader organisational impact.

Eligibility Criteria

• Must work and reside in the CoreNet Global Australia region
• Must be a CoreNet Global member or an employee of a sponsor company in good standing
• Last year’s individual category winner is ineligible for this year’s award
• Executives of CoreNet Global Australia are exempt from submitting nominations for this award.
• If the award sponsor elects to feature the winner, the recipient must be available at a mutually agreed time.

Timeline

• Wednesday 4 March 2026 - nominations open
• Friday 29 May 2026 - nominations close
• Tuesday 18 August 2026 - Australian winner announced at CNGAU REawards function, the night prior to the annual conference

Role, scope and context (250 words max - 5% weighting)

Please describe:

• Your role, responsibilities and sphere of influence
• The organisational or industry context in which your DEIB contributions were made
• Judges will assess impact relative to role scope and level of authority.

Objectives and Challenges (400 words max - 15% weighting)

• What DEIB challenges, gaps, or opportunities did you seek to address?
• What objectives were set, either formally or informally?
• What barriers or complexities did you encounter (e.g. cultural, structural, resourcing)?

Innovation and Leadership in DEIB (1000 words max - 35% weighting)

Describe how you personally demonstrated leadership and innovation in advancing DEIB. Examples may include (but are not limited to):

• Inclusive leadership practices or cultural change initiatives
• Designing or influencing inclusive workplaces, policies, or programs
• Advocacy for underrepresented groups
• Supplier diversity initiatives or inclusive procurement practices
• Initiatives supporting accessibility, neurodiversity, gender equity, cultural inclusion, or social equity

Please highlight what made your approach distinctive or impactful.

Stakeholder Engagement (250 words max - 15% weighting)

How did you engage employees, stakeholders, or the community to drive change? Examples may include:

• Influencing leaders, teams or clients
• Partnering with community groups or industry bodies
• Education, mentoring or advocacy initiatives

Outcomes & Impact (400 words max - 30% weighting)

• What were the final outcomes achieved and how did they align with the defined objectives and key metrics?
• How have your efforts contributed to sustained or long-term DEIB impact?
• Describe how your work has embedded inclusive practices beyond a single initiative or moment in time.

Once you submit your nomination, you will receive a copy which contains a link to make any necessary changes. You must complete any amendments by 5.00pm Friday 29 May 2026.