Two Greek Australian women have been named finalists in The Third Sector Awards 2022 for leadership and innovation in the field of impact-driven not-for-profit.
Ms Psillakis, Manager of Success Works Partners Inc supports women with a criminal record enter the job market by creating a multifaceted framework that helps build their resilience, employability and confidence, while pairing them up with employers willing to appreciate their skills and potential.
Ms Psillakis herself spent 11 months behind bars in a women’s prison working through the life experiences that led her to that predicament even though she had never been in trouble with the law. The Greek Australian motivator draws on her extensive work history and experiences as a mother, grandmother, daughter, aunt, sister and niece to help others like her who are being judged based on their record and not their abilities and determination secure a ticket to a new life.
“I wake up every day and go to sleep every night thinking about what I can do to improve the lives of people impacted by the justice system, particularly women’. I know there’s something I’m meant to do with this, it’s my purpose,” Ms Psillakis had told Neos Kosmos.
Emma Lescesen Klinakis is a finalist in the ‘Campaign/Marketing Executive of the Year’ category and Eleni Psillakis is a finalist in the ‘Influencer of the Year’ category.
Ms Klinakis, a Marketing & Community Programs Manager at St John Ambulance Victoria is responsible for an array of integrated marketing and communications initiatives, as well as the development and management of community programs within not-for-profit. During her tenure she has worked on the development of brand and tactical campaigns, new product launches, marketing strategy, budgeting and growth in sales and leads.
“I’m extremely humbled to be a finalist in the Third Sector News Awards,” Ms Klinakis wrote in a heartfelt post on LinkedIn.
“Bringing attention to our causes around first aid, publicly accessible defibrillators and the work done by our thousands of staff and volunteers is something I am proud to highlight and champion every day I go to work. I’ve always preferred to stay out of the spotlight and instead draw attention to the incredible efforts of people out in the field and those using their first aid skills to save a life, however Gordon Botwright GAICD has put my name out there!”
