We're a team of dedicated professionals with expertise in end-to-end awards management, event management, marketing, design and community engagement. Above all, we're passionate storytellers, committed to finding, celebrating and amplifying the achievements that make Australian communities stronger.
Directors
Geoff Griffin
Founding Director
Geoff is the Managing Director and has been with Awards Australia since inception in 1989.
Josh Griffin
Managing Director
After joining the company in 2013, Josh quickly saw that awards are so much than a “glitzy event” and are in fact, a vehicle to share inspiring stories and highlight positive role models for the community.
Josh has worked in just about every role on offer at Awards Australia and that experience has positioned him well to now lead the team in growing their in-house programs, delivering exceptional value to both awards entrants and sponsor partners, whilst utilising the team’s expertise to assist other organisations with running their own successful awards programs.
Annette Vawser
Director & Chief Operating Officer
Annette has been part of the Awards Australia team since 2013. From operations and event management to marketing, communications and copywriting, she as helped bring award programs to life and, most importantly, tell the stories of the wonderful people behind the nominations.
Having reduced her hours with Awards Australia, Annette now has a little more time to pursue another passion – volunteering. She is an active Rotarian and leads the Club’s Environment Working Group, where she is determined to prove that being environmentally conscious doesn’t have to be difficult, expensive or boring!
Outside of work and volunteering, Annette enjoys spending time with family, travelling, discovering good food and wine, and growing vegetables.
Awards Management Team
Stephanie Commons
Senior Awards Manager
I’m a qualified Event Manager and have been working in the events industry for over 10 years. I’ve been with Awards Australia for many of those years and love being part of a team that gets to celebrate the incredible people making a difference in their communities. I currently coordinate our WA and VIC Award programs, as well as working on partnerships across all of our state programs. I love organising the events and seeing everything come together on the night of the Awards Gala Dinner, even if the lead-up can be a little stressful at times! When I’m not supporting the community, you can find me spending time with my family at the park, coffee in hand!
Emily Whereat
Programs Lead
I’m lucky enough to be in the minority of people who can say I truly love my job. I spend my days talking to amazing people doing incredible things in our community, helping nominees tell their stories and celebrating them throughout their Awards journey. It’s hard to choose a favourite part although I especially love hearing from proud mums nominating their kids - it melts my heart every time! Judging Day is another highlight, with a room full of community leaders passionately discussing why each Semi Finalist deserves recognition. Then there’s the Awards Gala Dinner: a room full of happy, excited people and the chance to finally meet those I’ve spent months talking to and putting a face to the name.
Kristi Monk
Awards Manager
With 18 years at Awards Australia, aside from a few maternity leave breaks, I can honestly say that passion has been the biggest reason I’ve stayed for so long. I genuinely love what I do, and when you enjoy your job, going to work each day feels easy. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of growing, learning, building relationships and being part of an organisation I’m proud to be a part of. Outside of work, family is my priority. You’ll usually find me at a local court, cheering loudly from the sidelines and supporting my kids.
Reece Griffin
Keeper of the Nominations & Story Gatherer
As the self-proclaimed Keeper of Nominations & Story Gatherer, I spend my days finding awesome people and uncovering inspiring and powerful stories. Part of my role is guiding nominees through the process, helping turn their impact into a nomination with tips, encouragement and belief in their story. Some are first-time nominees asking, “Is my story really enough?” My favourite part is helping them realise it is. Recognition builds confidence, opens doors and reminds people their contribution matters while inspiring others to get involved. That’s the magic of these Awards. To me, it’s not about trophies or titles. Behind every nomination is a story worth telling - I just help bring it forward.
Business Operations Team
Darya Andreichenko
Social Media & Marketing Coordinator
I bring a background in digital marketing, content creation and communications, and love that my role at Awards Australia gives me the opportunity to do a little bit of everything - from outreach and storytelling to graphic design, video editing and website work. I'm passionate about storytelling and highlighting the inspiring people and communities behind the Awards. I also love being part of a team that is always open to new ideas, giving me the creative freedom to experiment, keep learning and continuously grow in my role. Outside of work, I'm a competitive figure skater and coach, so you’ll often find me at the ice rink!
Christine Loulier
Operations & Engagement Coordinator
I am passionate about building meaningful connections and creating opportunities for people, communities, and organisations to thrive. As Operations and Engagement Coordinator at Awards Australia, I focus on delivering exceptional experiences for our stakeholders while supporting programs that celebrate achievement, leadership, and community impact. My background spans event management, cultural development, and community management, giving me a strong understanding of how to engage diverse audiences and foster lasting relationships. I enjoy bringing people together, improving processes, and creating positive outcomes through collaboration, empathy, and innovation. I believe in the power of recognition to inspire individuals and strengthen communities.