ANJA CHRISTOFFERSEN TO BE HONOURED WITH QLD AWARD INAUSTRALIAN AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE IN WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP

Women & Leadership Australia (WLA) today announces Anja Christoffersen, Disability Advocate and Social Entrepreneur; CEO of the Women with Disabilities Entrepreneur Network (WDEN) as the 2025 QLD Award recipient of the Australian Awards for Excellence in Women’s Leadership. This prestigious award celebrates exceptional Australian women and gender-diverse people who encourage change and make important contributions to advancing equity across all facets of our society.

The Australian Awards for Excellence in Women’s Leadership were created by Women & Leadership Australia in 2014 to honour women leaders nominated by the public for their outstanding contribution and lasting impact across business, government, and community in delivering positive outcomes for women, girls or other groups facing disadvantage.

Anja is an award-winning disability advocate, named one of the International Day of People with Disability Ambassadors for 2023, model, author and social entrepreneur. Anja’s ventures, including the Women with Disabilities Entrepreneur Network (WDEN), SHH!T Happens, Champion Health Agency and Against the Grain Coffee focus on creating sustainable opportunities for leadership, autonomy and social and economic participation for people with disabilities, driven by the community and inspired by her own lived experience.

Anja Christoffersen said: “The disability community has the same dreams as everyone else, but we often don’t have the same opportunities. Being an award recipient is an opportunity I’m incredibly grateful for, not only for me but for my community. As I understood my own barriers to leadership, career and employment due to my disability, I became determined to improve the social and economic inclusion for my community. People with a disability are 43% more likely to be entrepreneurs than non-disabled

Australians, but 900 times less likely to ever receive venture capital funding and be able to scale. Recognition of my work and advocacy contributes to a platform where people with disabilities can live better lives.”

General Manager of Women & Leadership Australia, Karen Surmon said: “This award celebrates Anja Christoffersen’s groundbreaking work advancing opportunities for women and people with disabilities. From founding the Women with Disabilities Entrepreneur Network to creating a world-first agency championing lived experiences, Anja has redefined possibilities for women facing barriers of gender and ability. Her advocacy has paved pathways to meaningful work, entrepreneurship, and economic independence while amplifying the voices of marginalised women to drive systemic change in health, research, and business.

Anja’s global leadership, including co-developing a widely referenced co-design framework, has reshaped outcomes for patient care in health services. We celebrate her extraordinary achievements and unwavering dedication to a more inclusive future.”

Along with Anja as the QLD Award winner, Women & Leadership Australia has also today announced the national, state and territory award recipients including:

● Dr. Cathy Foley AO PSM (NATIONAL), Australia’s Former Chief Scientist

● Heidi Yates (ACT) Change Leader, Strategist, Human Rights Lawyer

● The Hon Linda Burney MP (NSW), Member for Barton

● Karan Hayward GAICD (NT), CEO of Papulu Apparr-Kari Aboriginal Corporation

● Dr. Manasi Murthy Mittinty (SA), Senior Lecturer; Speaker & Author; Founder CHERISH

● Associate Professor Justine Shaw (TAS), Founder of Homeward Bound; Conservation Scientist & Advocate for equity in STEM

● Suzie Betts (VIC) Founder of Boob Armour

● Janine Dureau (WA), CEO of The Kimberley Aboriginal Women's Council

“To drive meaningful change toward equity and inclusion in our society, we need to listen to, learn from, and celebrate those leading the way. The Australian Awards for Excellence in Women’s Leadership highlights the exceptional work of women and gender-diverse leaders who are achieving positive change across our community. By shining a spotlight on their accomplishments, we inspire others and accelerate progress towards equity for all.”

Karen Surmon concludes. Previous Award recipients have included The Hon. Julia Gillard AC, Christine Holgate, Sam Kerr, Magda Szubanski, Janine Allis, Prof Dr Marcia Langton, Rochelle Courtenay, and The Hon. Dame Quentin Bryce AD CVO. Anja Christoffersen will accept her award at the Australian Women’s Leadership Symposium in Brisbane on May 30, 2025.