Celebrating a Gamechanger: Aruna Venkatachalam Wins the 2024 Asia Society Australia Gamechanger Award
The Asia Society Australia Gamechanger Awards celebrate Australia’s strong connection with Asia and honour leaders who are strengthening this vital relationship. We are excited to celebrate Aruna Venkatachalam, International Consultant at Young Change Agents and the recipient of the 2024 Gamechanger Award in the Education and Research category!
Aruna has dedicated her career to enabling underrepresented founders—especially women and People of Colour—to grow their impact. Her incredible work spans over 15 years and is rooted in community development, humanitarian response, leadership and social enterprise.
This prestigious award acknowledges Aruna’s remarkable contributions to education and research, particularly groundbreaking initiatives, such as:
Forging Global Connections: Aruna developed a world-first partnership between India (AVENUES Meghalaya) and Australia (Young Change Agents), focusing on social entrepreneurship education for First Nations youth in both countries.
Lighting the Spark: In collaboration with Australian First Nations leaders and youth, Aruna co-developed Lighting the Spark, a self-determined entrepreneurship program that has reached over 1,000 participants across Australia and was tabled in Parliament as a best-practice example.
Environmental Advocacy: In India, Aruna co-founded a startup to track urban pollution, empowering local groups with the data needed to push for better air quality.
Empowering Communities: From the Philippines to Sri Lanka, Aruna has partnered with diverse youth, women, and underestimated communities, enabling them to create self-determined futures.
Aruna joins an impressive group of Asia Society Australia Gamechanger Award winners, including:
- Icon Award: Poh Ling Yeow – Chef, Artist, Author, and TV Personality
- Leadership: Jason Yeap OAM – Chairman, Mering Corporation
- Arts and Culture: Priya Srinivasan – Director, Sangam
- Business: Josh Chye – Partner, HLB Mann Judd
- Gen A Emerging Leader: Jenny Tran – Operations Manager, 100 Story Building
Aruna’s advocacy for culturally proud communities and amplifying underrepresented voices, especially Women of Colour, continues to make a significant impact in Australia’s startup and social enterprise sectors.
"I believe the next chapter of the Australia-Asia education story is about relevance. Education is not only about sharing knowledge, but about our lifelong ability to adapt to change. We’re well positioned to blend cultural wisdoms with new technologies. To showcase creativity, cultural kinship and leadership through education. To enable not just job-seekers, but job-creators, who advocate the importance of community outcomes, sustainability, diversity, and global connection. Let’s make it happen!"
Congratulations Aruna, we are inspired by your vision and dedication!
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11moThank you Gradstar Global Education for inviting Southern Cross University Main campus. It was a great evening connect with all.