2026 Judges

Our judges for the 2026 Sydney Awards know, love and lead Sydney – across a range of sectors – and have unique insight into the most pressing challenges our city is facing.

Our panel

  • The Hon. Chris Minns MP, Premier of NSW
  • Kellie Sloane MP, Leader of the Opposition
  • Nick Hansen, Deputy Editor, The Daily Telegraph
  • Prof. Leonie Tickle, Executive Dean, Macquarie Business School
  • Susan Wheeldon, Country Manager, Australia, New Zealand and Oceania, AirBnb
  • Kerry Robinson OAM, CEO, Blacktown City Council
  • Shaun Christie-David, Founder & CEO, Plate it Forward
  • Karen Bevan, CEO, Full Stop Australia

2025 Judges

Our judges for the 2025 Sydney Awards.

Our panel

  • The Hon. Chris Minns MP, Premier of NSW
  • The Hon. Mark Speakman SC MP, Leader of the Opposition
  • Christine Covington, Head of Gender Equality and Consultant, Corrs Chambers Westgarth
  • Nick Hansen, Deputy Editor, The Daily Telegraph
  • Prof. Leonie Tickle, Executive Dean, Macquarie Business School
  • Gabrielle Trainor AO, Chair, Construction Industry Culture Taskforce, Committee for Sydney Board
  • Kate Russell, CEO, Supply Nation, Committee for Sydney Board
  • Gail Connolly PSM, CEO, City of Parramatta
  • Beau Nielson, Owner-Operator The Vanguard Newtown, 24 Hour Economy Advisory Council
  • Usman Iftikhar, Co-Founder & CEO, Catalysr

2024 Judges

Our judges for the 2024 Sydney Awards.

Our panel

  • The Hon. Chris Minns MP, Premier of NSW
  • The Hon. Mark Speakman SC MP, Leader of the Opposition
  • Christine Covington, Head of Gender Equality and Consultant, Corrs Chambers Westgarth
  • Ben English, Editor, The Daily Telegraph
  • Prof. Eric Knight, Executive Dean and Professor of Strategic Management, Macquarie University
  • Kate Russell, CEO, Supply Nation
  • Lindy Deitz, General Manager, Campbelltown City Council
  • Caroline Vu, Chief of Staff, Boundless

2023 Judges

Our judges for the 2023 Sydney Awards.

Our panel

  • The Hon. Morris Iemma, 40th Premier of NSW
  • Tanya Hosch, Executive General Manager of Inclusion and Social Policy, AFL
  • Sara Mansour, Co-founder, Bankstown Poetry Slam
  • Lucy Turnbull AO, Chair, Sydney Opera House, former Lord Mayor of Sydney
  • Prof. Eric Knight, Executive Dean and Professor of Strategic Management, Macquarie University