Sustainability Leadership/Winners category
Ms. Linh Do, Director of the Wattle Fellowship at the University of Melbourne, is a dedicated sustainability leader with nearly two decades of experience across non-profits, social enterprises, and higher education. Linh’s leadership and commitment to ethical and values-driven approaches have empowered a new generation of sustainability leaders. Her extensive experience and innovative initiatives have significantly contributed to fostering hope and agency among young leaders, driving sustained environmental action.
Impacts and Benefits
- Founded the Wattle Fellowship, a university-wide initiative fostering the next generation of student sustainability leaders, engaging over 2300 individuals from diverse backgrounds.
- Secured $2.5 million in funding to develop and scale the program, including $1.4 million from philanthropic sources and $1.1 million in internal funding.
- Developed unique modules like “ethics in practice,” preparing students for real-world challenges and enhancing sustainability literacy across disciplines.
Leadership and Engagement
- Successfully transitioned the governance of the Climate Reality Project to the University of Melbourne, organising significant events and increasing volunteer engagement.
- Chairs Climate Action Network Australia and a cross-sectoral collaboration group, advocating for climate action and expanding climate advocacy.
Wider Societal Impact
- Promotes multidisciplinary approaches to sustainability, addressing complex environmental and social issues with innovative solutions.
- Engaged fellows in impactful projects, such as diverting 1330 kg of waste from landfill, educating communities on native bees, and establishing renewable energy student clubs.
- Enhanced the University of Melbourne’s role in driving sustainability education and action, creating a model for leadership development that can be replicated globally.
Achievements
- Organised the 41st Climate Reality training with Al Gore, reaching over 10,000 community members.
- Doubled the number of core volunteers at the Climate Reality Project to 1600, increasing the annual operating budget by over 210%.
- Recognised as Australian Geographic’s Young Conservationist of the Year, AFR Women of Influence, and a 40 Under 40 Most Influential Asian-Australian awardee.
Related finalists
Sustainability Institution of the Year/Winners
Sustainability Institution of the Year/Winners
Climate Action/Winners
Climate Action/Winners
Creating Impact/Winners
Creating Impact/Winners
Next Generation Learning & Skills/Winners
Next Generation Learning & Skills/Winners
Student Engagement/Winners
Student Engagement/Winners
Powerful Partnerships/Winners
Powerful Partnerships/Winners
Sustainability Leadership
Sustainability Leadership
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion/Winners
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion/Winners
Nature Positive/Winners
Nature Positive/Winners
Staff Champion/Winners
Staff Champion/Winners
Highly Commended/Sustainability Leadership
Highly Commended/Sustainability Leadership
Sustainability Leadership
Sustainability Leadership
Student Champion/Winners
Student Champion/Winners
Past Winners
Ms. Linh Do, Director of the Wattle Fellowship at the University of Melbourne, is a dedicated sustainability leader with nearly two decades of experience across non-profits, social enterprises, and higher education. Linh’s leadership and commitment to ethical and values-driven approaches have empowered a new generation of sustainability leaders. Her extensive experience and innovative initiatives have significantly contributed to fostering hope and agency among young leaders, driving sustained environmental action.
Impacts and Benefits
- Founded the Wattle Fellowship, a university-wide initiative fostering the next generation of student sustainability leaders, engaging over 2300 individuals from diverse backgrounds.
- Secured $2.5 million in funding to develop and scale the program, including $1.4 million from philanthropic sources and $1.1 million in internal funding.
- Developed unique modules like “ethics in practice,” preparing students for real-world challenges and enhancing sustainability literacy across disciplines.
Leadership and Engagement
- Successfully transitioned the governance of the Climate Reality Project to the University of Melbourne, organising significant events and increasing volunteer engagement.
- Chairs Climate Action Network Australia and a cross-sectoral collaboration group, advocating for climate action and expanding climate advocacy.
Wider Societal Impact
- Promotes multidisciplinary approaches to sustainability, addressing complex environmental and social issues with innovative solutions.
- Engaged fellows in impactful projects, such as diverting 1330 kg of waste from landfill, educating communities on native bees, and establishing renewable energy student clubs.
- Enhanced the University of Melbourne’s role in driving sustainability education and action, creating a model for leadership development that can be replicated globally.
Achievements
- Organised the 41st Climate Reality training with Al Gore, reaching over 10,000 community members.
- Doubled the number of core volunteers at the Climate Reality Project to 1600, increasing the annual operating budget by over 210%.
- Recognised as Australian Geographic’s Young Conservationist of the Year, AFR Women of Influence, and a 40 Under 40 Most Influential Asian-Australian awardee.
Related finalists
Climate Action/Winners
Climate Action/Winners
Creating Impact/Winners
Creating Impact/Winners
Next Generation Learning & Skills/Winners
Next Generation Learning & Skills/Winners
Other finalists
Sustainability Champion – Staff
Sustainability Champion – Staff
Sustainability Champion – Staff/Winners
Sustainability Champion – Staff/Winners
Sustainability Champion – Student/Winners
Sustainability Champion – Student/Winners