SA Women of Impact Awards winners

Winners were selected by an independent judging panel from more than 130 nominations and announced on 8 September 2026.

2026 Award winners

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Impact Award

An Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander woman who consistently contributes, advocates and challenges the status quo. It highlights an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander woman’s leadership towards a shared community vision, a striving for parity, and inclusivity of her peers.

Winner: Susan Dixon

Susan Dixon is a Kaurna and Narungga woman with more than 40 years of advocacy experience extending across Aboriginal education, health, housing, child protection, women’s rights, justice, law, environmental protection, and local government. She was recognised for providing consultancy services, often on a voluntary basis, to ensure Aboriginal voices, lived experiences and cultural authority are recognised within community, government, and public decision-making processes.

Finalists: Chrystal Newchurch, Kahlia Miller-Koncz, Olive Bennell, Rebecca Miller

Impact in the Community Award

A woman whose work has a transformative impact on their community. It highlights a woman who brings about positive change to improve the lives of those in the community by fostering equality and diversity and demonstrates what can be achieved through purposeful action.

Winner: Dr Marie-Claire Seeley

Dr Marie-Claire Seeley was recognised for her dedication to improving the lives of people living with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS). Marie-Claire is the Founder of the Australian POTS Foundation, advocating and supporting patients and families living with POTS and other related autonomic disorders while raising vital funds for research and education.

Finalists: Jacinta Dempsey, Dr Jennifer Foreman, Libby Trainor Parker, Melanie Tate

Special mentions: Dr Ellen Fraser-Barbour, Kathryn Jarrett

Impact in Industry Award

A woman who has made an enduring commitment and impact to their prospective industry, which has brought about significant and lasting change.

Winner: Jane Pickering

Jane Pickering has spent her 48-year career advancing health and aged care in South Australia, contributing to culture and quality of the aged care sector and improving women’s equity and representation in leadership and business. She has held senior executive, board and governance positions for national and South Australian aged care organisations as well as the South Australian Leaders for Gender Equity (SALGE) network.

Finalists: Dr Duygu Yengin, Dr Fariba Behnia-Willison, Natasha Hemmerling, Dr Sarah Cannard

Impact on ending Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Award

A woman who has contributed tirelessly towards working to end domestic, family and sexual violence. It highlights the time, skills and dedication put towards making a tangible difference in the lives of those affected by domestic, family and sexual violence and demonstrates a commitment to long-term social change and a future free of violence for all SA women and girls.

Winner: Stacey Nelan

Stacey Nelan has advocated and amplified domestic, family and sexual violence survivor voices for more than 12 years. She has challenged stigma, raised awareness of coercive control and improved systems change across government, corporate and community sectors. Stacey is a respected survivor advocate known for her lived experience leadership advocating for safer, trauma-informed responses across workplaces, services and community systems.

Finalists: Debra Swann, Julie Maloney, Sally McLaren, Sharon Lockwood

Special mention: Natasha Stott Despoja AO

2025 Award winners