TechDiversity Awards 10th Anniversary:
Winners Nostalgic
Gallery
Kuni Yamada
Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action
Senior Project Officer – GIS Standards and Reporting
As we celebrate a decade of the TechDiversity Awards, we’re taking a nostalgic journey through the powerful stories of past winners whose impact continues to shape Australia’s tech and innovation landscape. One such story is that of Kuni Yamada, who played a pivotal role in the First Peoples State Relations, Heritage Services team’s award-winning project.
2022 TechDiversity Awards Merit Winner | Government Category.
At the 2022 TechDiversity Awards, Kuni and her team from the Department of Premier and Cabinet were recognised for their work on the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Register and Information System (ACHRIS) — a digital platform that empowers Victorian Traditional Owners with access and control over cultural heritage data. With over 98% process adoption and a 236% increase in platform usage, ACHRIS is a shining example of how inclusive design and collaboration can drive lasting impact.
“The TechDiversity Award highlighted the effectiveness of our diverse team, led by our First Nations leader, in protecting and enhancing Aboriginal Cultural Heritage,” Kuni shared.
Since winning, Kuni has become even more proactive in the DEI space — joining networks at work and within her local council. She reflects:
“Being part of the recognised team significantly boosted my confidence, both personally and professionally. I have actively advocated for TechDiversity in new workplaces and encouraged others to nominate too.”
In March this year, Kuni initiated an inaugural cross-departmental initiative for Cultural Diversity Week 2025. With the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action, together with the Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions and the Department of Transport and Planning, around 100 participants, speakers and senior leaders came together to promote safer and more inclusive workplaces across Victorian government departments.
This is why we do what we do. DEI is not a flash in the pan — it’s a long-term commitment that transforms people, workplaces, and communities.
This year is a milestone of 10 incredible years of the TechDiversity Awards, is more than just an anniversary. It’s a tribute to every individual and organisation that has taken meaningful steps toward building a more inclusive tech workforce.
Our 2025 theme, “Framing DEI Futures,” is a powerful reminder that while we celebrate the foundations of our past, we must also actively shape what’s next. Every nomination adds a new piece to this collective vision — and together, we’re creating a mosaic of change.
So if Kuni’s story moved you, or if your organisation or department has been doing the work — don’t wait.
✨ Be seen. Be celebrated. Inspire others✨
Diversity is a fact; Inclusion is an intentional choice. Let’s frame a future where DEI is not just part of the conversation — it’s intentionally embedded in everything we do.
Because when we come together, all the pieces of this movement create something powerful.
These awards celebrate individuals and organisations driving meaningful change in the Australian tech workforce across all industries.
Submitting a nomination is an opportunity to gain recognition for your efforts, inspire others, and contribute to the ongoing advancement of DEI in tech. For more details on the nomination process and to submit your entry, visit the TechDiversity Awards Nomination Page.
If you’re a past winner, please reach out to jen@bestcasescenario.com.au. We’d love to celebrate your impact.
The TechDiversity Awards recognise individuals and groups across five award categories
DO NOT DELETE
1. Government
This is the category for you if you work:
- for any Government agency, federal or state
- for an organisation that is running a joint project/initiative with a Government agency
- at a Consultancy working with Government
- for a scale up/start up that work with government
Maybe you work for an agency that has developed an app that indicates locally available services for people who are currently without a home.
Maybe you are developing an online accessibility toolkit to assist in creating digital platforms and content that are accessible and inclusive for everyone.
In real terms, what might this look like? Below are some previous winning submissions:
- A program to employ a cohort of people with ASD into a Government department for (at least) two years.
- A Government funded program that uses the power and influence of Video Games (gamification) to change the beliefs and behaviours of teenage boys towards LGBTI+.
- A Youth Employment Scheme (YES) traineeship program to increase the participation of disadvantaged youth (under 24 years of age) into the workforce with a focus on IT and STEM disciplines.
2. Business
This is the category for you if you work:
- within a traditional business model
- for a traditional tech company
- in tech department within any industry
- at a consultancy working with businesses
- for a scale up/start up
Maybe you have set up a Diversity and Inclusion committee to look at the current imbalance within your organisation, then have designed programs to address this.
Maybe you have been involved in the development and design of such a program to address the imbalance.
In real terms, what might this look like? Below are some previous winning submissions:
- Creation of a hub to help solve the problem of employability for International Students. With a focus on empowering these students and graduates to participate in the Australian startup ecosystem (note that this submission could also align with the Education category. Absolutely you can nominate the same initiative in more than one category).
- A ‘Developer’ program that offers a paid scholarship and full-time salary to women who are changing careers or looking to re-enter the workforce within the field of software engineering.
- An initiative that looks at progressing the diversity makeup across the whole of an organisation.
3. Education
This is the category for you if you work:
- for an academic institution
- or run research projects aligned with education
- for an organisation that is running a joint project/initiative with education
- at a Consultancy working with Education/Academia
- for a scale up/start up that work with education
Maybe you are running a research project that looks to upskill people returning to the workforce after a break.
Maybe you are part of an initiative that introduces STEM to High School students.
In real terms, what might this look like? Below are some previous winning submissions:
- A research project that trials female-only tutorials in a first year programming subject in order to positively influence the engagement and participation of female students in Computer Science.
- A social innovation that showcases the talents of people with Autism.
- An outreach program that introduces STEM to school age students.
4. Campaign of the Year
Previously called the ‘Media, Marketing and Advertising’, this is the category for you if you work for any organisation and have been involved in creating and/or developing a campaign to support a DE+I initiative, product or solution.
Maybe you have created a social media campaign to create awareness of your initiative.
Maybe you developed a fully inclusive advertising campaign, that was digitally accessible and used real people reflecting society.
Maybe you made posters to support a significant inclusive day for internal promotion.
In real terms, what might this look like? Below are some previous winning submissions:
- A campaign that would encourage and inspire the Australian LGBTI community to bring their authentic selves to work each and every day.
- A campaign to promote a ‘Return to Work Program’ to help people (particularly women) who have taken a career break of two or more years, often to care for children, transition back to the workforce.
- Creation of a quarterly digital publication dedicated to empowering women of colour in STEM in Australia.
5. Tech for Good
This is the category for you if you work for any organisation that uses technology for good to create a product or solution AND addresses, includes, or benefits DE+I.
The Tech for Good category houses four categories:
- Social Impact – addressing societal challenges – helping society flourish and organisations succeed.
- Examples: Education | Utilities | Poverty & Homelessness | Healthcare | Unemployment | Gender Inequality | Property Prices | Human Rights
- Environmental Sustainability – interacting with the planet responsibly – conserving natural resources and protecting ecosystems.
- Examples: Climate Change | Recycling | Conservation | Eco-friendly Packaging | Reducing Emissions | Clean Water | Reforestation
- Accessibility & Inclusivity – building a more inclusive and accessible world.
- Examples: Assistive Technology | Language-based Services | Minimising Inaccessibility | LGBTQ+ | Race & Ethnicity | Free / Low-Cost Tech
- Health & Wellbeing – helping individuals and organisations create a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing.
- Examples: Fitness & Recreation | Mental Health Services | Physical Health Tech | Harm Minimisation | Sport | Community Engagement
What might this actually look like?
- A data-analysis platform that provides insight into cultural and demographic diversity within an organisation.
- An app that’s assists visually impaired people to lead more independent lives.
- An app that facilitates the discounted sale of end-of-day food
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