Business in Colour Awards 2026
Description
The Business in Colour Awards celebrate and honour the extraordinary contributions and achievements of employees, leaders, allies, and communities who are driving meaningful change in anti-racism, cultural equity, and inclusion within organisations.
We recognise the important progress being made across the diversity, equity and inclusion landscape in Australian workplaces. With intersectionality in mind, there is still an opportunity to recognise and celebrate advancements in racial and cultural equity and inclusion. For organisations seeking to define what success or maturity in this space looks like, these awards spotlight excellence, showcase leading practices and amplify the good to inspire others to strive for better.
Join 300+ leaders for a powerful night of recognition, performance, and purpose. This is more than an event; It’s a call to action.
Hosted by award-winning journalist Bridget Brennan and headlined by broadcaster, writer and presenter Faustina Agolley, the evening will bring together voices driving real change. Faustina will also join creative, host and community builder Lydia Tesema in conversation, alongside a special appearance from Christine Castley, CEO of the Workplace Gender Equality Agency.
The night at a glance
5:30–6:00pm – Registration, drinks, and networking
6:00pm – Event officially begins
6:00–7:00pm – Welcome to Country, Entertainment, MC and opening addresses.
7:00–7:40pm – Award presentations
7:40–8:20pm – Dinner and intermission
8:20–9:45pm – Awards Presentation, Entertainment, Keynote, Closing address
9:45–10:45pm – DJ set, dancing and networking
Proudly supported by our sponsors, Microsoft, Coles, The Sussan Group, SSI, Vicinity Centres, Telstra, NAB, and Hall & Wilcox; and our event partners, Careers in Colour, and 15 Times Better.
These awards reflect who we are. Dynamic. Bold. Proudly Different.
Lineup
Bridget Brennan
We’re delighted to welcome Bridget Brennan as MC of the Business in Colour Awards 2026! Bridget is a Dja Dja Wurrung and Yorta Yorta woman, award-winning Indigenous Affairs journalist, and co-host of ABC News Breakfast. A respected voice on First Nations affairs, Bridget has received the Melbourne Press Club Quill Award, including the Quill Award for Excellence in Indigenous Affairs Reporting for her powerful Four Corners report, How many more? We’re honoured to have Bridget lead an evening celebrating cultural diversity, anti-racism and the people and organisations driving meaningful change in Australian workplaces.
Hon. Julian Hill, MP
We’re delighted to welcome the Hon Julian Hill MP to open the Business in Colour Awards 2026! Julian is the Assistant Minister for Citizenship, Customs and Multicultural Affairs and Assistant Minister for International Education. He was first elected as the Member for Bruce in 2016 and has since been re-elected in 2019, 2022 and 2025. Julian previously served as Assistant Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs from 2024 to 2025. He has also chaired several parliamentary committees, including the Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit, the Select Committee on Workforce Australia Employment Services, and the Defence Subcommittee of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade. We look forward to having Julian join us for an evening celebrating cultural diversity, recognising leadership in anti-racism, and showcasing the people and organisations driving change across Australian workplaces.
Christine Castley, OAM
We’re honoured to welcome Christine Castley OAM, CEO of the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA), who will deliver the welcoming address at the Business in Colour Awards 2026. Christine is an experienced leader in organisational reform and workplace equity. Through her work at WGEA, she champions gender equality and recognises the importance of addressing the ways gender inequality and racism intersect. For First Nations women and women from culturally diverse backgrounds, these overlapping barriers can shape their experiences and opportunities at work. Creating more equitable workplaces means recognising these intersections and addressing discrimination in all its forms. We look forward to hearing from Christine as we come together to celebrate progress and recognise the people and organisations working to make Australian workplaces more inclusive.
Faustina Agolley
We’re pleased to welcome Faustina Agolley (Fuzzy) as the keynote speaker and DJ at the Business in Colour Awards 2026! Faustina is a broadcaster, writer, actor, producer and DJ whose work brings together culture, conversation and community. As a Black and Asian Australian, she brings a rich cultural perspective and a passion for storytelling that connects people and celebrates diverse experiences. We’re excited to have Faustina bring her energy and insights to an evening celebrating cultural diversity, anti-racism and the people and organisations driving change across Australian workplaces. both on stage and on the dancefloor!
Lydia Tesema
We’re excited to have Lydia Tesema at the Business in Colour Awards 2026, where she’ll join keynote speaker Faustina Agolley for a fireside chat. Lydia is an award-winning host, interviewer, creative entrepreneur and community development practitioner whose work sits at the intersection of storytelling, cultural engagement and social impact. Born and raised in Melbourne with proud Ethiopian roots, Lydia is the founder of Below The Surface, a creative platform that supports a generation of young people to think, communicate and act with intention. Through creative media, youth programs and cultural experiences, she creates opportunities for people to feel seen, heard and more deeply connected to themselves and others. We look forward to hearing Lydia and Faustina share their perspectives on culture, identity and the power of storytelling as we celebrate cultural diversity and change-making across Australian workplaces.
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