The Faculty Awards of Excellence 2023: Diversity and Inclusion Project of The Year

The Faculty Awards of Excellence 2023 has recognised the AIID Design Team, University of Melbourne as the Diversity and Inclusion Project of The Year 2023 at the CPO Forum Gala Dinner held at the Sofitel Sydney Wentworth on Tuesday, 9 May 2023.

The Diversity and Inclusion Project of the Year Award acknowledges a project and organisation that is an exceptional representation of how diversity and inclusion can create new value in the present and future. The award for 2023 was sponsored by GJK Facility Services, an organisation that prioritises diversity and inclusion to cultivate a productive and inclusive workplace that fosters innovation and creativity.

The winning project has been awarded to the Design Team at the University of Melbourne for The Australian Institute for Infectious Disease (AIID) - a groundbreaking multi-million dollar facility in the Southern Hemisphere that will provide vital medical research services and innovations for current and future pandemics and infectious diseases. The project planning was centered around advancing gender equality and Indigenous reconciliation, making them essential factors in the procurement selection criteria during the design phase.

The judges recognised the winning project as an outstanding example of how a commitment to continuous improvement in Diversity and Inclusion can positively impact the procurement team and the broader organizational culture. 

The judges were impressed with several achievements of the project, including the successful representation of women in engineering and architecture - professions with historically low representation. The project also included succession planning to provide more opportunities for women in senior roles, sponsorship of an Indigenous undergraduate cadet program, and employment of First Nations people to support the project.

About the Award

The Diversity and Inclusion Project of the Year Award is given to an organisation that has generated leading results within this space. The winning project is an exceptional representation of how Diversity and Inclusion can create new value, today and into the future.

The Judging Process

Nominees are assessed against The Faculty’s X-Factor Procurement Leadership Framework which is based on a demonstration of strength and balance across four key areas - Functional Excellence, Leadership Attributes, Commercial Leadership and People Leadership.

The Judging Panel:

• Kristal Kinsela  - An Indigenous business leader, Entrepreneur and Indigenous Procurement Expert.
• Joanna Martinez - Former Executive, Managing Director, CPO, Board member and lecturer. Joanna is Founder and CEO of Supply Chain Advisors LLC.
• Ian Holcroft FCIPS - J. Murphy & Sons Director of Procurement and international Procurement expert.
• Michelle Loader - Former CEO and COO of Chandler Macleod. Michelle is Managing Director of Future Leadership.
• Coretta Bessi Former COO of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, Former CPO of Westpac, and a national consultant.