The IGEM International Women’s Day Awards celebrate excellence, leadership and advocacy across Queensland’s disaster management sector. The awards recognise women and allies who champion equality, foster inclusive workplaces, and strengthen disaster management capability across the state.
Award categories
Champion of Change
Advocated for diversity and inclusion.
Demonstrated excellence in the sector.
Shown leadership as an inspirational role model.
Had a significant impact in changing workplace culture and mindset to empower women and men to advance gender equality.
Excellence in Disaster Management – Practitioner
Showed a tangible commitment to improving the delivery of disaster management practices.
Introduced innovative or inclusive practices which contributed toward continuous improvement for the community and the sector.
Demonstrated disaster management excellence.
Excellence in Disaster Management – Research
Influenced the development of a learning culture.
Championed research and engagement within the sector.
Showed a tangible commitment to improving the delivery of disaster management practices.
Advocate for Equality (open to all)
Championed gender equality within disaster management operations and planning, ensuring diverse voices are represented in decision-making and response strategies.
Promoted inclusive practices in emergency preparedness and recovery, advocating for equitable access to resources and support for all community members during disasters.
Led initiatives that empower women and underrepresented groups in the disaster management sector, fostering leadership opportunities and cultural change across Queensland’s resilience programs.
Eligibility
Nominees must be Queensland-based.
Open to staff and volunteers across the Queensland disaster management sector.
Selection process
All nominations are reviewed and judged by the Office of the IGEM Executive Leadership Team to ensure fairness and transparency in recognising outstanding contributions.
Nominations
Nominations opened: Monday, 12 January 2026
Nominations closed: Friday, 13 February 2026
2026 winners
Congratulations to all the winners and highly commended recipients for their extraordinary achievements. Their efforts not only strengthen our communities but also inspire future advancements in resilience and preparedness.
Please see all winners and highly commended in the table below.
Winner: Melinda McInturff, Community Plus+
Melinda is widely recognised as a leading expert in community-led disaster resilience, dedicated to building informed, connected, and prepared communities. As a key initiator of the community-led Resilient Kurilpa initiative, she helped establish a voluntary network of residents and local organisations that develop tailored disaster preparedness resources, including toolkits, community education activities, forums, hazard information, evacuation guidance, and a locally produced flood-impact video series.
A strong advocate for diversity and inclusion, Melinda has created pathways for underrepresented groups within the sector and consistently promotes accessible communication by ensuring resources are available in multiple languages. Her leadership has had a lasting impact on community capability and sector-wide resilience. Congratulations, Melinda!
Highly commended: Michelle Short, Queensland Police Service
As a dedicated team leader of the School Support Officers Program within the Queensland Police Service, Michelle has significantly improved how police engage with and support at-risk children, young people, and families. Through cultural awareness, collaborative consultation, and a trauma-informed, client centred approach, she has implemented sustainable practices that prioritise early intervention and positive outcomes for vulnerable communities.
Michelle’s leadership empowers her team to provide expert advice and effective family interventions, while creating an inclusive and supportive workplace. Her commitment to education, guidance, and professional development continues to inspire her colleagues and community. Congratulations, Michelle!
Joint winner: Alanna Lalor, Queensland Rail
Alanna is a trusted leader who has greatly enhanced Queensland Rail’s ability to prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies. Since 2018, she has led the development of the ‘myGeo’ portal, integrating real-time Bureau of Meteorology forecasts with network mapping to help operational teams proactively manage severe weather risks. Under her leadership, the system was successfully implemented across all three train control centres, improving planning and mitigation outcomes.
In 2021, Alanna oversaw the creation of a life‑sized rail training prop at the Queensland Combined Emergency Services Academy, relocating a retired train to provide realistic, safe training for first responders while minimising operational disruptions. Her innovative contributions continue to strengthen safety, readiness, and resilience. Congratulations, Alanna!
Joint winner: Eileen Devescovi, Burdekin Shire Council
Eileen demonstrates unwavering commitment to community safety, wellbeing, and collaboration. Her leadership ensures that disaster preparedness, response, and recovery activities are timely, inclusive, and community-centred.
She has played a vital role in strengthening the Burdekin State Emergency Service Unit by securing upgraded facilities and equipment, improving volunteer integration, and enhancing training and preparedness initiatives. Through strong advocacy and partnerships with schools, businesses, and community groups, Eileen has increased local disaster literacy, volunteer engagement, and operational capability. Congratulations, Eileen!
Highly commended: Coralie Muddle, City of Moreton Bay
Coralie has coordinated complex disaster management operations with clarity, composure, and professionalism. Throughout extensive activations, including recovery hubs, evacuation centres, and community relief activities, she has ensured coordinated responses across multiple agencies.
Beyond operational delivery, Coralie has driven continuous improvement by translating lessons into practice and uplifting capability through innovations such as rapid‑deploy communications, multilingual preparedness resources, and improved evacuation modelling. Her work ensures the City of Moreton Bay’s disaster management system remains responsive, modern, and community‑focused. Congratulations, Coralie!
Winner: Professor Amisha Mehta, Queensland University of Technology
Professor Mehta is an award‑winning researcher and expert in risk and crisis communication within the Faculty of Business and Law at the Queensland University of Technology. As co‑editor of the Disaster Resilience Handbook of Risk, Crisis, and Disaster Communication (2024), she is widely recognised for her people‑centred research approach and her ability to translate complex evidence into practical, real‑world outcomes.
Her research has shaped national policy, strengthened safety outcomes for at‑risk communities, and advanced understanding of natural hazard communication through impactful projects with the Office of the Inspector‑General of Emergency Management, Natural Hazards Research Australia, the City of Moreton Bay, and federal government agencies. Her leadership across major industry-funded research programs has earned her international recognition and significant partnerships. Congratulations, Amisha!
Highly commended: Associate Professor Johanna Nalau, Griffith University
Associate Professor Nalau is an internationally respected leader in climate adaptation research who consistently publishes high‑quality work in the field. She regularly leads major assessments for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and champions the translation of technical research into practical, evidence‑based decision‑making.
Her global contributions include serving as an Adviser to the Resilience Frontiers Initiative under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, Co‑Chair of the Science Committee for the World Adaptation Science Program, and Program Director for Griffith University’s Master of Climate Change Adaptation—one of the few degrees worldwide focused solely on climate adaptation. Congratulations, Johanna!
Winner: Suzanne Whitaker
Suzanne is a passionate advocate for workplace equality, dedicating significant time and energy to driving meaningful change. She has raised awareness about the gender wage gap, secured funding to establish breastfeeding and wellness rooms in Queensland Police Service stations and advocated for improvements to the lateral transfer process to ensure fairness and transparency.
Suzanne has supported colleagues with interview preparation, accessibility needs, and has championed increased representation of women in leadership roles. Her commitment to addressing structural barriers and collaborating with union representatives to advance gender equity in senior leadership is admirable. Congratulations, Suzanne!
