HACCI Woman of Influence Award: excellence in the Hellenic Australian community

SSI CEO recognised as champion of diversity and inclusion

The 34th Hellenic Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (HACCI) Awards announced Settlement Services International (SSI)’s CEO Violet Roumeliotis for its ‘Woman of Influence Award’ last night, Thursday 19 November.

The live-streamed event brought the Awards to the screens of thousands across the globe, as the Greek diaspora joined in acknowledging excellence, innovation, leadership and business acumen of the Hellenic Australian community.   

Every year, the HACCI Awards acknowledge and reward organisations and individuals that have excelled in eight distinct areas of endeavour.   

The Award, presented by SalaryMasters, recognises Ms Roumeliotis as a champion of diversity, inclusion and social justice who opens pathways for female leadership, driving change for a diverse and vibrant society.   

As the CEO of SSI, a not-for-profit that supports migrants and newcomers to achieve their full potential, Ms Roumeliotis has created tangible results to strengthen Australia’s status as a world-leading multicultural nation.    

Under her leadership, SSI grew from a state-based body to a national organisation and has seen revenue increase from $9 million to $115 million, setting an example of how social entrepreneurship can be the driving force for a better tomorrow. 

On receiving her Award, Ms Roumeliotis reflected on her parents’ legacy as immigrants from post-World War II Greece, and how this has strongly influenced her own life story.    

“Greek entrepreneurs, in fact, migrants who have arrived on our shores, have contributed significantly to, and are the backbone to the success of Australia as a multicultural, socially-cohesive and vibrant society.  

“This award is for my parents, for their legacy and resilience.  

“I am very proud of being Greek-Australian and everything that it offers me as a citizen of this beautiful country. This award is also for all those migrants who have arrived on our shores with hope and open hearts and aspirational dreams.”  

Ms Roumeliotis is committed to achieving equity and advancing diversity and inclusion in all forms. In 2020, she was made a member of the Order of Australia for outstanding service to the community.    

She is also a former Telstra Australia Business Woman of the Year, has been named one of AFR’s Top 100 Women of Influence for 2018 in the category of Diversity & Inclusion and was awarded the title of Community Fellow from Western Sydney University for outstanding service to the community. 

The full Awards can be viewed here.

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Media enquiries:

SSI Senior Communications Officer, Rebeka Selmeczki;

0468 998 300 rselmeczki@ssi.org.au