Leadership WA Awards
Discover more about Leadership WA's Awards
Established in 2013, the Leadership WA Distinguished Fellow and Honorary Fellow Awards recognise exceptional leadership, community contribution and support for the work and values of Leadership WA.
Distinguished Fellows are Alumni of Leadership WA’s Signature or Rising Leadership Programs, who:
- Graduated 4 or more years ago and are actively engaged with Leadership WA
- Have made an outstanding and enduring contribution to the Western Australian community
- Embody the core values of Leadership WA and support our vision and purpose
Honorary Fellows are Western Australian leaders who:
- Have made a positive impact on the work and/or governance of Leadership WA
- Embody the core values of Leadership WA and support our vision and purpose
Main photo (left to right): Dominique Mecoy OAM, CEO of Leadership WA; Mark Glasson, 2023 Honorary Fellow; Brodie McCulloch, 2023 Distinguished Fellow; Angie Paskevicius, Leadership WA Board Chair.

These Awards recognise outstanding leadership and contribution to our Western Australian community
Distinguished and Honorary Fellows
Thank you to all Alumni who nominated our 2024 Distinguished and Honorary Fellows.
We are delighted to announce and congratulate our 2024 Recipients, who will be recogised at the annual Evening with Leadership WA occasion, being held on Thursday 20 February 2025.
2024 Distinguished Fellow: Dawn McAleenan (Rising 2016) | CEO, Crosslinks
Dawn has over two decades of leadership in the not-for-profit sector, with experience spanning national, regional and local levels. Deeply committed to reducing social exclusion, she actively advocates for equitable, collaborative solutions that create lasting value for communities.
Dawn is involved with a number of NFP Boards including the Centre for Accessibility Australia and Hello Initiative. She is part of the National Disability Services WA State Committee, an active mentor for other business leaders and entrepreneurs, and has been a great supporter of Leadership WA, in particular as a LeadAbility Project Mentor, dedicating herself to cultivating aspiring leaders in the sector.
2024 Honorary Fellow: Alec Coles OBE | CEO, WA Museum
A tireless advocate for Culture and the Arts, Alec led the development of the Western Australian Museum in Perth, ensuring collaboration with all peoples and cultures to achieve a museum truly reflective of our State. He was also a member of the team that delivered the award-winning National Anzac Centre in Albany.
Recognised through numerous awards and honours, Alec is known for his commitment and passion for creating museums owned and valued by their communities. His leadership in incorporating Indigenous voices into the WA Museum’s development has been widely commended in the museum and cultural sectors.
An Evening with Leadership WA | 20 February 2025
Alumni are invited to join us for this major event in the Leadership WA calendar, where we will also celebrate all that we have achieved together in 2024.
For Alumni who wish to attend the Awards event, please see your email invitation or contact us at connect@leadershipwa.org.au.
Distinguished Fellow Award
This Award recognises one of our Leadership WA Alumni who has made an outstanding and enduring contribution to the WA community. Alumni will be invited to make a nomination for the 2025 Distinguished Fellow Award in late 2025.
You can read more about the Award eligibility, terms and conditions and the confidentiality of the process here.
Honorary Fellow Award
This Award recognises an outstanding WA leader who has made an enduring contribution to the WA community and Leadership WA. Alumni will be invited to make a nomination for the 2025 Honorary Fellow Award in later 2025.
You can read more about the Award eligibility, terms and conditions and the confidentiality of the process here.