Media Release Darian Brooker, the youth education entrepreneur behind ‘We, Future Leaders’ has been named Young Sydneysider of the Year at the 2026 Sydney Awards.
“Growing up in foster care caused a great deal of instability during my childhood, resulting in me changing schools 26 times across the course of my education,” she said.
“When I look back, the odds seemed stacked against me. Despite the challenges I faced, I was able to finish high school, and much of that was because of the support of different mentors along the way – no matter how fleeting.”
“My experience made it clear to me how pivotal the role of mentorship can be for kids. It can be the difference between finishing school or not, feeling understood or not, and being given that helping hand that all kids need sometimes.”
Darian’s childhood and disrupted education motivated her to want to help other children in a similar position and, in 2017, she founded We, Future Leaders – an education and mentoring company that works with kids from preschool through to university to ensure they have the educational and life support needed to succeed.
The Committee for Sydney’s Young Sydneysider of the Year Award, supported by EY, celebrates emerging leaders who are doing the work to make Sydney the best city in the world.
Eamon Waterford, CEO of the Committee for Sydney, said: “Darian is a shining example of what young Sydneysiders are capable of. She’s ambitious, hands-on and deeply invested in the communities she’s a part of.”
“Through no fault of their own, too many children and young people end up in the Foster Care system, and struggle to build connection and thrive. Through her work, Darian is already helping to build a Sydney where future foster kids will flourish.”
Professor Leonie Tickle, Executive Dean of Macquarie Business School, said: “Darian Brooker’s leadership is all about creating opportunity. Not just for the children she’s helping to mentor but for generations to come who will benefit from the work she’s doing.”
Clare Sporle EY NSW Managing Partner said: “Darian’s story highlights the impact one person can have when they use their experiences to create opportunities for others.”
“At EY, we are proud to support the Young Sydneysider of the Year Award, which celebrates emerging leaders making a positive contribution to our city. Darian’s leadership, resilience and commitment to others make her a worthy recipient of this award, and we congratulate her on this achievement.”
Alyssa, a tutor at We, Future Leaders, said: “Darian has created a company with an amazing culture where people feel excited to come to work. We get to watch firsthand what true leadership and mentoring is like and whether she knows it or not we all pick up on how she treats others with respect and dignity and encourages every student reach their full potential.”
While We, Future Leaders has a team of 50 staff and supports around 150 students each week, Darian’s plans for the future are even bigger.
“It’s my goal to impact a million young people by 2040. I’d love to see an Australia where education inequalities are bridged because everyone deserves access to quality education no matter their circumstances or background.”
Designed to celebrate people whose efforts make Sydney the greatest city in the world, there are six categories: Sydneysider of the Year, Young Sydneysider of the Year, Project of the Year, Local Project of the Year, Unsung Hero and the People’s Choice.
The judging panel for the awards included:
- The Hon. Prue Car MP, Deputy Premier of NSW
- Kellie Sloane MP, Leader of the Opposition
- Zac McLean, Head of News, 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.
The Sydney Awards are supported by major partner Macquarie Business School, media partner The Daily Telegraph, and event sponsors Aqualand, Architectus, EY, Sydney Airport and Lime.