ENTRIES ARE CLOSED
CELEBRATING THOSE
FLIPPING THE BOARDROOM 
Awarding impactful and innovative board directors and boards in Australia and New Zealand. Those changing boards for a better future. 
Over $10,000 worth of prizes to be won. 
The Awards program is now closed for 2023. 

THE AWARDS PROGRAM IS CLOSED FOR 2023

BROUGHT TO YOU BY
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AWARDS CATEGORIES

Future Director of the Year image

CATEGORY ONE 

FUTURE DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR


A Future Director is an individual board director who brings an innovative mindset to how they think and act on their boards. Who brings zap and soul to make the right kind of waves that propel their board forward. Who are having brave, honest, aware and empathetic conversations. And who are thinking far far far into their org’s (and the world’s) future.
Entrants must be an Australian or New Zealand based board director who holds an active non-executive board position (on any fiduciary board) for 12+ months.
Future Board of the Year Image

CATEGORY TWO 

FUTURE BOARD OF THE YEAR


A Future Board is a board team with a mentality that relishes innovation, purpose and emotional openness. We’re looking for boards that debate to the death without killing each other. Collectives who are steering their ships toward a better future for everyone. Who onboard well, keep growing, and switch up tired formats.
Boards entering must be a fiduciary board based in Australian or New Zealand based organisation and the entry must be completed by an authorised representative.

WINNING CRITERIA

future director awards criteria -  big picture thinking

BIG PICTURE THINKING

How far ahead into your org’s and the world’s future are you thinking? How do you stay decisive amid uncertainty?
future director awards criteria -  deep collaboration

DEEP COLLABORATION

How do you encourage open, honest, empathetic debate? How do you solve conflicts? How do you listen to all stakeholders? 
future director awards criteria -  forever learning

FOREVER LEARNING

What do you do to keep learning? Individually, extracurricularly, and as a team? How do you grow in awareness of your biases?
future director awards criteria -  constructive disruption

CONSTRUCTIVE DISRUPTION

How are you innovating in the boardroom? How are you switching up old formats and cultures? How are you impactful?
future director awards criteria -  actions speak loudest

ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDEST

With all these criteria, we’re looking for actions - not just nice sounding words. What real, tangible things have you done to create impact?

READY TO ENTER?

You can enter yourself or your board, or nominate another 
director or board to enter. Set aside time to answer properly – 
you can always save and come back. 

IF

YOU WIN

WE ALL WIN

PRIZES

The winning director and board will receive prizes worth over $10,000 to boost their profile and future-proof their board, including: 

🏆 A 1 year subscription to BoardPro's platform for the winner in each award Category*.

🏆 All shortlisted directors and board will receive passes to attend the Decision 84 Summit.

🏆 A FDI Board Health Check for the winner in each award Category*.

*allocated to the Individual's nominated board for Category 1 winner. 

IF YOU WIN, WE ALL WIN.
PRIZES 

The winning director and board will receive prizes worth over $10,000 to boost their profile and future-proof their board, including: 

🏆 A 1 year subscription to BoardPro's platform for the winner in each award Category*.

🏆 All shortlisted directors and board will receive passes to attend the Decision 84 Summit in May.

🏆 A FDI Board Health Check for the winner in each award Category*.

*allocated to the Individual's nominated board for Category 1 winner. 
FAQs

The only silly questions are the ones unasked

Prefer to download the FAQs? Click here. 

 WHY DID FUTURE DIRECTORS INSTITUTE CREATE THE AWARDS?

There’s a lack of awards specifically focused on recognising and celebrating board directors of all stripes and their unique impact on the boardroom. We wanted to change that. We want to inspire others to get involved or up their game, plus raise awareness among boards about the benefits of including this rare type of director.

  WHAT IS A FUTURE DIRECTOR

A Future Director is fit for their future and the world’s. They see the boardroom as a flashpoint for global and organisational change. They are actively shaping a fairer, safer, smarter future for their organisations and societies. They’re eternally curious, listen with two ears and one mouth, and have a healthy dose of imposter syndrome. Above all, they know they cannot be a Future Director without a community of support. Here’s more on how to spot a Future Director and have a look at the 2022 finalists. 

 WHAT IS A FUTURE BOARD?

A Future Board is a board team with a mentality that relishes innovation, purpose and emotional openness. We’re looking for boards that debate to the death without killing each other. Collectives who are steering their ships toward a better future for everyone. Who onboard well, keep growing, and switch up tired formats.

 WHAT IF I NEED ASSISTANCE WITH COMPLETING MY ENTRY?

If you need assistance with accessing or completing your entry or possibly a different format for the entry form, please email us at hello@futuredirectors.com, and one of the team will provide assistance. 

 WHO IS ON THE JUDGING PANEL?

The awards will be judged by a handpicked and diverse cross-section of the governance world - directors, chairs, experts, and consultants. 

 WHAT IS THE JUDGING PROCESS?

Each submission will be de-identified and go past at least 2 judges. They’ll assess it based on ACTIONS that prove each of the criteria, not just words. Once there’s a shortlist of entries, these submissions will go through to the next round, where references and submission details get another review. The shortlist is then contacted and interviewed via videocall. Category winners will be announced in May.

 HOW WILL YOU MAKE SURE IT'S FAIR? 

Our judging panel will have reps from many different sectors, roles, ages, abilities, genders and backgrounds. We’re also de-identifying all entries (meaning they’re completely anonymous throughout the process until the follow-up interviews).

 ARE THERE ANY RUNNERS-UP?

There will be finalists selected in each category based on the outcome of the judging process, but only 1 in each category will win. There are no prizes for non-winning finalists and all decisions are final. 

 WHAT KIND OF BOARD OR NED IS THE MOST SUITED TO ENTER THE AWARDS?

We have no age or experience limits. You could be sitting on your first board or your twentieth. Be a for-profit, or NFP, managing a huge budget, a huge community, or doing great work for the stakeholders you serve. It’s more about your mindset, attitude and capabilities.

 CAN I NOMINATE MORE THAN ON DIRECTOR OR BOARD?

Yes please! We encourage you to nominate your colleagues or peers, your own boards, and others. As many nominations as you like. We all know great directors and boards doing great work, and a little encouragement from leaders like you goes a long way. 

 CAN I ENTER MORE THAN ONCE?

We will accept only one entry per NED in the Future Director Award Category and only one entry per organisation in the Future Board Award category. You can be the contact for both category submissions, as long as you give each submission a unique title.  More will be explained on the entries platform when you set up your account. 

 WHEN WILL THE SHORTLIST AND WINNERS BE ANNOUNCED?

The finalists in each category will be trickled out over the course of March-April 2023 via FDI’s social channels. The winner will be announced in May 2023 in a virtual ceremony.
KEEP UP TO DATE WITH FUTURE DIRECTORS

We’ll post frequently about the awards, and all things governance, via our LinkedIn and newsletters. 

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