And the nominees are...
Our team has received recognition of the culture we’ve built at DHSV, one grounded in purpose and high performance.
We are pleased to announce DHSV is a finalist in the 2025 Australian HR Awards.
Our incredibly talented workforce received four nominations:
Nominee: Sue McKee, Chief Executive Officer in the category “Australian HR Champion (CEO) of the Year”
Sue was nominated for her visionary strategy, authentic communication, and decisive action to uplift workforce capability, drive sector advocacy and build a thriving, inclusive culture.
Sue’s people-first leadership resulted in DHSV’s expansion into system leadership networks, a stronger and more connected workforce, sector-leading scholarship programs and national recognition for value-based healthcare advocacy. Her leadership is strategic, human-centred and focused on delivering lasting impact.
Nominee: Zemeel Saba, Chief People and Culture Officer in the category “Australian HR Director of the Year”
Zemeel was nominated for her demonstrated excellence and strategic leadership in the field of human resources. She drove the design and development of DHSV’s 2024-2027 People Plan featuring four key pillars and aligned to DHSV’s strategic direction:
- Come and Stay – A great place to work and contribute
- Learn and Grow – A teaching and learning organisation
- Well and Safe – A well workforce, a safe workplace
- Engage and Belong – An inclusive culture where all belong
The plan features 12 high priority initiatives aligned with each pillar which enabled DHSV to drive successful business outcomes, enhance the employee lifecycle, and improve the patient experience.
Nominee: HR’s Oral Health Graduate Program in the category “Best Graduate Development Program”
DHSV’s Graduate Program for Oral Health Therapists sets a benchmark in graduate workforce development through innovation, strong sector partnerships, and a graduate-centered design.
Graduates report high impact, job security, and meaningful clinical support. The program is underpinned by continuous feedback, strategic alignment, and a commitment to connection, coaching, and continuous learning.
Nominee: Portfolio of the Chief People and Culture Officer in the category “Australian HR Team of the Year (under 1,000 employees)”
Our entire portfolio of the Chief People and Culture Officer were recognised for their innovative use of co-design principles in collaboration with staff and consumers to inform the design of the 2024-2027 People Plan.
The team achieved a wide range of significant milestones across workforce strategy and employee engagement. They were recognised for their workforce initiatives, commitment to repositioning DHSV as a teaching and learning organisation, championing diversity and inclusion projects, and improving the employee experience.
Congratulations to all of our nominees for receiving well-deserved recognition for their outstanding work and passionate commitment to transforming the employee experience and creating a sustainable workforce of dedicated oral health professionals.
Winners will be announced on Friday 5 September.
