Have you heard the news?
yLead has recently been recognised with one of the greatest acknowledgements in our organisation’s history. We are state finalists in the Telstra Best of Business Awards. Not only that, we also won one of the categories for Queensland! Let us tell you how it happened, and all the hard work that went into our achievement..
About the Awards
The Telstra Best of Business Awards are a prestigious program that celebrates the success stories, diversity and brilliance of Australia’s small and medium-sized businesses. The awards aim to represent the scope of small and medium-sized organisations that fit into seven dedicated categories:
- Accelerating Women
- Building Communities
- Championing Health
- Embracing Innovation
- Indigenous Excellence
- Outstanding Growth
- Promoting Sustainability
The Telstra Best of Business Awards have an impactful 30-year legacy in line with yLead’s values. When we were weighing up whether to enter, we knew we would be joining some incredible alumni if we were to go all the way.
Our Awards Journey
Back in March, we self-nominated for the awards and sent in an application.
In May, we progressed to the second stage and were given the opportunity to put together a pitch pack discussing every aspect of our organisation from structure to sustainability, operations to financial outlook. From videos, to short stories, to 1000-word essays… It was intense! Especially considering we did this while delivering our regular In School programs for Term 2 and prepping for our signature Year 9 event, the Altitude Day national roadshow.
Next, we were shortlisted as finalists in two categories: Building Communities and Accelerating Women.
When we heard we’d progressed, things started getting real. We knew we were market leaders in the youth leadership space, but could we really become award winners in Queensland? The third stage was a real turning point, because we were deeply invested in the outcome at this stage!
In June, we delivered the final pieces of our submission. And then, we waited…
Finalists in Both Categories!
Hearing that we had been named a state finalist in both categories was a significant milestone. It is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and passion that defines our yLead team and our wider community.
The Telstra Best of Business Awards celebrates organisations that are truly making a difference in their communities and driving meaningful change, so it was an honour to have made it that far in such a rigorous process.
Every day, we see how impactful yLead programs can be, but to have that recognised in the wider world is extra special.
Empowering Future Leaders: Why yLead is Dedicated to Accelerating Women
At yLead, we believe in the power of creating spaces where everyone can step up to lead, empower and transform spaces.
The Accelerating Women category resonates deeply because we design programs to support and empower young women at stages in their lives when they need them most. Being named a finalist in this category reflects our dedication to creating opportunities for women to excel and recognise their value in the leadership space.
Our privileged reality at yLead is a front row seat to incredible women in leadership. That privilege isn’t limited to what we see externally. Under the leadership of a female CEO, we see what amazing female leadership looks like in action every day.
At yLead, accelerating women comes down to representation, role modelling, and creating spaces for women to step into their leadership.
We’re proud of the strides we have made in this area and we are committed to continuing our efforts to support and elevate women in every aspect of our work. This recognition is not just a reflection of past achievements, but a reminder of the ongoing journey toward gender equality and empowerment.
Our Commitment to Connection: What Building Communities means at yLead
At yLead, our mission has always been to foster strong and supportive communities, filled with young people who recognise their own power and use that to make a difference.
From conferences, In School programs, community-building events with our volunteers (yTeam), to travel expeditions across the globe, we strive to create environments where individuals can thrive together and make our world a better place. Being a finalist in the Building Communities category acknowledges our ongoing efforts to bring people together and create positive change, as well as confirming that we are going strong with one of our core values, Together Has Power.
Our commitment to building vibrant communities goes beyond just providing leadership programs; it’s about creating a network of support, collaboration, and empowerment within our volunteer community.
The Results… and What They Mean for the Future
After finding out about our success as finalists, our CEO, Zoe received the call we’d been waiting for.
Drumroll please…
We WON!
yLead is the Telstra Best of Business Awards Winner for Building Communities in Queensland.
As we celebrate this milestone, we also look forward to the future with excitement, drive, and passion. Being named a state finalist in two categories and winner of one category is both an achievement and a responsibility. It motivates us to keep striving for excellence, to innovate, and to make an even greater impact in the communities we serve.
What Happened Next
After winning the Telstra Business Award for Building Communities in Queensland, yLead was invited to the national awards ceremony in Melbourne. Our Leader of REACH, Sarah, pitched to the national judges all about who we are and the amazing community that we’ve built all around the country. We are so proud to be national finalists and we would love to congratulate the very deserving winners in our category – The Push-Up Challenge!
Thank You for Your Support
We’re incredibly grateful for the support of our team, volunteers, partner schools and organisations, and the community that has played a crucial role in this journey. Your belief in our vision and active participation have been instrumental in reaching this point, and we look forward to continuing this journey together.
This recognition is as much yours as it is ours.
We thank each and every one of you for being part of the yLead community and for contributing to our mission. Your support, feedback, and engagement drive us to do more, to be better, and to achieve greater heights.
To our yTeam specifically, we see you and love you so much. You are a huge reason why we get out of bed each morning, because we know there are people like you in the crowd. This recognition inspires us to continue pushing the boundaries and finding new ways to strengthen the bonds that connect us all. Without you, there would be no us.
Together, we are building stronger communities and empowering women to lead the way!
A final thank you goes to the Telstra Best of Business Awards team and a huge shoutout to the judges who volunteered their time. You can find a list of the state finalists for all categories here: (https://www.telstra.com.au/small-business/best-of-business-awards/alumni/2024b-state-finalists). An epic list to be on!
We don’t do the work we do for praise, accolades, or awards. We do it because we believe in it. Thank you for believing in us as well.
Feel free to share this blog with your network and celebrate this achievement with us! If you have any thoughts or stories about how yLead has impacted you, we’d love to hear them. Please email them to our CEO Zoe on zoe@ylead.com.au. Let’s keep the conversation going and continue to make a difference together.
