The 2026 Emerging Leader Award is now open and we want to hear about the amazing mahi consultants are doing within their organisations and communities.
We spoke with 2025 Emerging Leader Award winner Sharon Parackal (Senior Associate and Sector Lead – Transport at Frequency) about how entering the award is a valuable opportunity for reflection.
What did winning the 2025 Emerging Leader Award mean to you?
It was a real honour and quite humbling. It was great recognition from my peers, but it also gave me an opportunity to reflect on my leadership journey and the impact I’ve been able to have through the projects, teams and communities I’ve worked with. It reinforced the importance of investing in leadership alongside technical expertise and gave me confidence to continue growing my impact within the infrastructure sector.
Why would you encourage people to enter this award?
It’s a great opportunity to step back and reflect on your career and leadership journey. We often move straight onto the next challenge without taking the time to recognise what we’ve achieved, what we’ve learned and how we’ve grown along the way.
Has the award led to any opportunities for you? How have you used your prize?
Absolutely. I’m using the prize to attend the Institute of Directors’ Company Directors Course, which is an opportunity I might not otherwise have prioritised. I’m looking forward to building my governance capability and bringing new tools, perspectives and ways of thinking back into my work. As my career continues to evolve, I see it as an investment in becoming a more effective leader and making a greater contribution to the sector.
How to apply for the 2026 ACE Awards
Applications for this year’s ACE Awards close on 22 June and will be presented at the ACE Awards Gala on 5 November in Auckland.
Find out more:
- Diversity and Inclusion Award in association with The Diversity Agenda
- Emerging Leader Award sponsored by Tonkin + Taylor
- Futurespace Award sponsored by AECOM