AWEI Awards Fireside Chat: LGBTQ+ Role Model Award 2025

Join Pride in Diversity as we continue our series called AWEI Fireside Chats: Winners of the LGBTQ+ Inclusion Awards!

There is an array of Awards given at the annual Australian LGBTQ+ Inclusion Awards, based on the results of the Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI) Submissions and additional nominated categories. This series will focus on the winners in these categories, where each award nomination recognises outstanding advocacy, support and/or contribution to LGBTQ+ inclusion within the workplace by leaders, role models, allies and more.

The winner of the award for the 2025 LGBTQ+ Role Model Award was Georgi Hodge (she/her) from Origin Energy!

This nomination is for an LGBTQ+ individual who is highly visible as an LGBTQ+ role model and has made an outstanding contribution raising awareness, advocating for, and promoting LGBTQ+ inclusion within the organisation.

We often hear “you can’t be what you can’t see.”

Year after year, the AWEI Employee Survey and other data shows that LGBTQ+ employees are working in organisation that have improved their workplace inclusion outcomes, including increased sense of safety, health and wellbeing, feelings of belonging, and ability to see a career path for themselves in their organisation, and more. LGBTQ+ employees are seeing other LGBTQ+ people being accepted within their organisation and being successful in their career path – particularly when they see them in senior leadership positions – at growing rates.

 

About the Winner:

Georgi Hodge (she/her)

Georgi Hodge is a trailblazing champion for LGBTQ+ inclusion, driving transformative change with an unwavering commitment to equity, visibility, and empowerment. Her tireless advocacy and strategic leadership have positioned Origin Energy at the forefront of workplace diversity and inclusion, embedding LGBTQ+ support into the company’s cultural DNA.   

Georgi’s vision extends beyond policies – she galvanises teams, cultivates allyship, and dismantles barriers to ensure LGBTQ+ employees not only feel seen but valued and celebrated. Through her relentless efforts, she has spearheaded initiatives that transcend compliance, fostering a psychologically safe environment where authenticity is embraced, and every voice is heard.

Her dedication has instilled a profound culture of belonging, inspiring colleagues at every level to champion inclusivity as a business imperative. Georgi’s work has driven measurable outcomes, enhancing employee engagement, retention, and overall workplace satisfaction. She exemplifies the gold standard of inclusive leadership, standing as a beacon of progress and a role model for the entire organisation and the broader community.

 

About this Session:

Join Pride in Diversity and our guest panellist as we explore how LGBTQ+ role models can positively influence inclusion efforts and workplace culture, and the meaningful impact this has on all employees and the organisation as a whole.

Pride in Diversity Co-hosts:

• JB Beninato (they/she), Relationship Manager
• Will Reilly (he/him), Index Project Manager

Guest Panellists:

• Georgi Hodge (she/her), Workforce Planning Analyst
• Mira Smallridge (she/her), Hardship Coaching Lead

This session will be online.

Registration links will be sent out the morning of the event.

 

About the Australian Workplace Equality Index:

The AWEI now stands as the definitive national benchmark on LGBTQ+ workplace inclusion and comprises the largest and only national employee survey designed to gauge the overall impact of inclusion initiatives on organisational culture.

To learn more about the AWEI Submissions, head to our website.

Your organisation can also register for participation in:

• The 2025 – 2026 AWEI Submissions
• The AWEI Employee Survey

To learn more about nominating a colleague or campaign for outstanding contributions to LGBTQ+ inclusion within your organisation, check out our Award Nomination categories.

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