The Mastering Diversity Awards 2026 has announced its full finalist list, recognising people, organisations and initiatives advancing diversity, equity and inclusion across Wales.
The full list was revealed on LinkedIn Live from 7am today as part of the awards’ Finalist Friday announcement, ahead of the 8am GMT media embargo lifting.
This year’s list spans business, education, health, public service, representation, STEM, sport, cognitive and neurodiversity, community leadership, gender equality, young people and lifetime achievement. There are 73 finalist entries across the 12 categories, with some people and organisations recognised in more than one category.
The list brings together established professional expertise, lived experience, grassroots leadership and emerging talent. Across the categories, finalists include specialists in healthcare and social work, educators and researchers, business and technology leaders, sports and disability advocates, community organisations and young role models. Their achievements encompass opening routes into learning and employment, improving access to support, challenging discrimination and ensuring underrepresented voices help shape services and public life.
The recognition reaches across North, Mid and South Wales. In North Wales, finalists’ work includes STEM outreach and innovation, support for people affected by sexual violence, and women’s wellbeing and advocacy. In Mid Wales, it includes specialist support for people and families affected by domestic abuse and crisis, addressing the additional barriers faced by rural communities. In South Wales, contributions span inclusive enterprise, education, community-led support, representation and public service. Alongside this locally rooted work, national programmes and organisations extend opportunities and support across Wales.
This breadth reflects Mastering Diversity’s Wales-wide focus on recognising contribution and supporting inclusion and opportunity. The awards bring different forms of expertise and achievement into the same celebration, acknowledging the value of professional practice, community knowledge and lived experience.
The Mastering Diversity Awards 2026 ceremony takes place at Senedd Cymru, Cardiff Bay, on Thursday 19 November 2026, from 5pm to 7:30pm. Shav Taj MS is the Senedd sponsor. Joint headline sponsors are Vodafone Business and Leigh Day.
Judges assess nomination evidence against five criteria: demonstrable impact; commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion; leadership and influence; innovation or effective practice; and sustainability and legacy. Gold, Silver and Bronze Champions will be recognised at the ceremony.
Full finalist list
The following list forms part of the embargoed release. Counts refer to category entries, not unique individuals or organisations.
Business Champion
Ammar Akhtar — Final Rentals
Antur Cymru
Bluestone Academy — Bluestone Wales
Caroline Smith — Smudged
Cwmpas
Purple Shoots
Simon Pritchard — Philtronics
Cognitive and Neurodiversity Champion
Caroline Smith — Smudged
Elsa Torres — Family Pathways
Emily Hicks — Studio Hicks
Mike Twitchen — Neath Port Talbot Council
Community Champion
Dr Emma Chivers — Youth Work Leadership Lab
Evelyn James — Tai Pawb
KIRAN Cymru
Mike Tan — Language Academy Wales
Praise Ebubechukwu Nkwoka — Youth4Change Wales CIC
Rusna Begum — KidCare4U
Welsh ICE — Welsh Innovation Centre for Enterprise
Women Connect First
Education Champion
DARPL Wales
Parent Learning Group — Cathays High School – Adult Learning Wales
Sharon James-Evans — Cardiff and Vale College
Show Racism the Red Card Wales
Simon Pritchard — Philtronics
Taith
Gender Equality Champion
Anwara Begum — Newport Mohila and Family Association
Commonwealth Games Team Wales LeadHERship Programme
Lesley Williams — Welsh ICE
Montgomeryshire Family Crisis Centre
RASASC North Wales
Health Champion
Dr Bharti Attili — Cardiff Menopause Clinic
Hidden Strength UK
Katy Thomas — Mothers Matter CIC
North Wales Women’s Centre
Same But Different
Singeta Kalhan-Gregory — BASW Cymru
Welsh Government Neurodiversity Diagnostic Pathways Project
Lifetime Achievement
Gaynor Legall CBE — Heritage & Cultural Exchange
Mike Tan — Language Academy Wales
Rusna Begum — KidCare4U
Singeta Kalhan-Gregory — BASW Cymru
Public Sector Champion
Donald Mutale — Newport City Council
Mike Twitchen — Neath Port Talbot Council
Noelwyn Daniel — Neath Port Talbot Council
North Wales Police Positive Action Team — North Wales Police
Philip Jillesjö Löf — Welsh Government / School of International Futures
Sharon James-Evans — Cardiff and Vale College
Singeta Kalhan-Gregory — BASW Cymru
Representation Champion
Disability Wales — Anabledd Cymru / Disability Wales
Emyr Afan OBE FRSA — Afanti Media
Iona McDougall — NHS Voices · Disability and the Bar
Joanna Goodwin — Y Cewri Ltd
Singeta Kalhan-Gregory — BASW Cymru
Tai Pawb
Sports Champion
Iona McDougall — Disability & Inclusion Advocate
KidCare4U Sports Inclusion Programme — KidCare4U
Maindee United FC — Newport
Rajma Begum — Wales Ethnic Diversity Sports Awards
Soffia Kelly — Ambassador Role Model
Thasan Yoganathan BEM — Samurai Olympic Judo Club / Welsh National Centre
STEM Champion
Amy Hubbuck — Hidden Strength UK
Debbie Airey — Kicking The Door Down
EESW STEM Cymru
Professor Faron Moller — Technocamps
Josephine Grech — Cardiff and Vale College
M-SParc
Simon Pritchard — Philtronics
Zinzi Sibanda — University of Cambridge
Young Person of the Year
Angelika Jasnos
Cameron Wagg
Khadija Islam
Soffia Kelly
Tara Kalhan-Gregory
Members of the public were made aware via “Finalist Friday Announcement” live on LinkedIn at 7am on Friday 30 October.
Event details
Mastering Diversity Awards 2026
Thursday 19 November 2026, 5pm–7:30pm
Senedd Cymru, Cardiff Bay
Senedd sponsor: Shav Taj MS
Joint headline sponsors: Vodafone Business and Leigh Day
The awards carry the Mastering Diversity message: “We Go Together or Not at All.”
