Meet the finalists of the ACT Women’s Awards 2026: Dr Sujatha Shanmugasundaram
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From transforming healthcare and improving women’s safety to opening doors in construction, automotive and sport, 11 remarkable women and gender-diverse people have been named finalists in the 2026 ACT Women’s Awards.
In the lead-up to the 2026 ACT Women’s Awards ceremony on Thursday 3 September, we wanted to get to know each of the finalists a little better. Today we meet Dr Sujatha Shanmugasundaram, a leader in nursing education and gerontology, strengthening dementia and aged care through research, teaching and professional leadership.
Congratulations on being named a finalist in the 2026 ACT Women’s Awards! How did you feel when you found out?
When I found out I was a finalist, I was honestly overwhelmed with emotion. I felt incredibly honoured, humbled, and very grateful. I immediately thought about my journey in nursing over the past 35 years, the patients and families I’ve cared for, the students I’ve taught, the colleagues who have supported me, and the people who have inspired me along the way.
For me, nursing has never been just a career. It has been a privilege and a purpose. To have that journey recognised through the ACT Women’s Awards was incredibly meaningful. What touched me most was knowing that this recognition gives me an opportunity to use my voice to advocate for older people, people living with dementia, their families, and to inspire the next generation of women leaders.
So, I felt proud but above all, deeply grateful.
In a nutshell, tell us about the work or initiative that led to your nomination.
My nomination is really about my lifelong commitment to improving the way we care for older people, particularly people living with dementia and those approaching the end of life.
As the ACT Chair of the Australian College of Nursing, I work alongside nursing leaders to advocate for our profession, strengthen the nursing workforce, and influence policies that improve health outcomes for our community. I believe nurses have the power to transform lives.
For more than 35 years, I have worked across clinical practice, education, research and leadership. I have focused on giving people living with dementia a voice, supporting families and caregivers, and helping healthcare professionals provide compassionate, person-centred and palliative care.
A key part of my work has been bringing research into practice, developing innovative approaches, mentoring the next generation of nurses, and building partnerships across healthcare, education and the community. What drives me is simple: every person deserves dignity, compassion and quality of life, right through to the end of life.
I believe my nomination reflects not just what I have achieved, but the difference I have been able to make in the lives of people, families, students and the nursing profession.
Looking back, was there a particular moment, challenge or experience that set you on this path?
Yes. There were many moments throughout my career, but one of the most powerful was caring for older people and people living with dementia who were approaching the end of life. I saw first-hand that while we were very good at treating disease, we did not always give the same attention to comfort, dignity, quality of life, and the needs of families.
I remember asking myself, “Can we do better?”
That question stayed with me. It became a turning point in my career and shaped my work in dementia, gerontology and palliative care. It also taught me that sometimes the most important changes begin with simply listening to the person, to their family, and to their story. That experience gave me a strong sense of purpose. It motivated me to combine clinical experience, research, education and leadership to challenge existing practices and advocate for more compassionate and person-centred care.
Looking back, I realise that one question, “Can we do better?” has continued to guide my journey.
What achievement are you most proud of – and why?
The achievement I am most proud of is not one particular award or position. It is the impact I have had on people throughout more than 35 years in nursing. I am especially proud of my work in dementia and palliative care, helping to give people living with dementia a voice, supporting families through some of the most difficult moments of their lives, and advocating for care that protects dignity, comfort and quality of life.
I am also incredibly proud of the nurses and students I have mentored. Seeing them grow in confidence, become leaders, and go on to make a difference themselves is one of the greatest rewards of my career.
For me, true achievement is not about what I have accomplished personally. It is about what continues after me: the people I have inspired, the practices I have helped change, and the lives that have been touched along the way. That is what makes me most proud.
Is there a woman, mentor or role model who has inspired your journey?
There have been many people who have inspired me, including my mum, but the women who have influenced me most are the strong women I have encountered throughout my life and career women who led with courage, compassion and resilience.
I have also been fortunate to have mentors and colleagues who saw potential in me, sometimes before I could see it in myself. They encouraged me to speak up, to take opportunities, and to believe that my voice could make a difference.
What I have learned from them is that leadership is not about having the loudest voice in the room. It is about having the courage to speak when it matters, the compassion to listen, and the generosity to lift others as you rise. That has become very important to me in my own journey. I want to be that person for the next generation to open doors, create opportunities, mentor emerging leaders, and remind women that they do not have to wait to be invited to lead.
If I can help another woman believe in herself and find her voice, then I feel I am continuing the legacy of those who supported me.
What does being recognised as an ACT Women’s Awards finalist mean to you?
Being recognised as a finalist means a great deal to me. It is deeply humbling because I know I am standing alongside so many remarkable women who are making a difference in our community. For me, this recognition is also bigger than my own achievements. It shines a light on the importance of caring for older people, supporting people living with dementia and their families, and valuing the contribution of nurses and women leaders.
For more than 35 years in nursing, it feels like a moment to pause and reflect on the journey, the challenges, the people who supported me, and the many lives I have been privileged to touch. Most importantly, I hope this recognition encourages other women, particularly emerging nurses and leaders, to believe in their voice and their potential.
To me, being a finalist is not just an honour. It is a responsibility to keep speaking up, keep opening doors for others, and keep making a difference in our community.
What advice would you give to a young woman or gender-diverse person hoping to make a difference in their own community or industry?
My advice would be, believe in your voice, even when you are the only person using it.
You do not have to wait until you feel completely ready, or until someone gives you permission to lead. Start where you are, use what you know, and be willing to learn along the way.
Find people who believe in you but also become that person for someone else. Mentorship and lifting others as we rise are incredibly powerful. I would also say: do not be afraid to challenge the current situation. Some of the most meaningful changes in healthcare and in our communities begin with one person asking, “Why do we do it this way and can we do it better?”
And finally, stay true to your values. Every individual is unique. Your difference is your strength. You don’t need to change who you are to make a difference. Bring yourself, find your voice, and use it to create opportunities for others.
