Meet Your Finalists: Celebrate a BOSS Moment
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The nominations are in, the shoot’s done, and now it’s over to you.
When we launched Celebrate a BOSS Moment in partnership with Canberra Outlet, we asked you to tell us about the men in your lives who’ve shown real leadership, resilience, and character when it mattered most.
The response was overwhelming. You shared stories of strength, compassion, and quiet heroism that reminded us leadership isn’t about titles or corner offices – it’s about showing up when it counts.
Our judging panel has selected five finalists, and now we need your help to choose the winner. Read their stories below, then cast your vote by commenting on our Instagram with the name of your chosen finalist.
Check out these amazing profiles and photos of our finalists – dressed in BOSS – Outlet, of course – and cast your vote before 5 pm on Monday 1 December. The finalist with the most votes will win the grand prize!
Zach Davidson
Zach has overcome so many obstacles in his life. He transitioned from female to male at the age of 15 and has always been true to himself, taking challenges in his stride with remarkable courage.
Diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder later in life, Zach has struggled to find his place in the world while also dealing with social anxiety. When his dad moved to the USA three years ago, he lost the male role model he would have benefited from – but as his mum says, they make a good team.
Over the last few years, Zach has worked incredibly hard to improve his mental health, general health, and fitness to give him the confidence to get out into the workforce and engage socially. His progress has been nothing short of inspiring.
As his nominator shared: “He is my inspiration and very deserving to be recognised for his resilience and his ability to take each day as it comes, one foot in front of the other.” Zach’s BOSS moment isn’t one single event – it’s his consistent determination to show up for himself, every single day.
Ben Jarrett
Sometimes a BOSS moment isn’t about boardrooms or big speeches. It’s about simply showing up. And that’s what Ben Jarrett does, time and again.
Ben runs Contentious Character, an urban winery and restaurant that’s as cheeky and authentic as he is. Between managing the daily chaos of running a business, the long hours, the inevitable setbacks, and all the moving parts, he still finds time to show up for others.
When his friend’s world fell apart, and later when they needed major surgery, Ben quietly appeared outside their appointment – no grand gestures, no fuss, just genuine care to make sure they weren’t alone. Even when his own life wasn’t all sunshine and roses, he carried a sense of calm and optimism that anchored everyone around him.
Beyond his friendships, Ben’s heart extends far beyond the vineyard. Through The Distinguished Gentleman’s Drive, he raises funds and awareness for men’s health, supporting research into prostate cancer and mental wellbeing through Movember. He also supports Pegasus Riding for the Disabled and other local causes, proving that generosity isn’t a marketing tool for him – it’s a way of life.
Ben leads not through titles or talks, but through quiet consistency, humour, and compassion. He reminds everyone around him that success means nothing if you can’t lift others along the way.
Bernardo Mateus
Sometimes the biggest BOSS moments happen quietly, behind the scenes, holding everything together while life throws curveballs.
Bernardo held down a full–time job while completing his doctorate – already an impressive feat. But he did all of this while keeping his partner and their three dogs alive and well during her pregnancy, when she was sick around the clock.
He juggled research, work commitments, and being the sole functioning adult in the household without complaint, proving that real leadership often looks like simply showing up when your person needs you most.
Now he’s stepped into fatherhood with the same dedication and care, giving every bit of himself to his “little chaotic crew”.
As his partner put it: “He deserves a medal (and a nap)! It’s about time someone spoils him for a change.”
Jeremiah Rizzeri
In January this year, Jerry achieved his dream of becoming a recruit firefighter, throwing himself wholeheartedly into the challenge and excelling in one of the most demanding training environments imaginable.
As his training neared its end, his partner Hayley received devastating news that her father was gravely ill. Just two weeks later, he passed away. Despite the heartbreaking circumstances, Jerry remained a pillar of strength.
While managing the intensity of his firefighter training and graduation, he stood steadfastly by Hayley’s side, supporting her through the loss and helping her navigate the difficult responsibilities that followed – all with quiet resilience and compassion.
His ability to balance such profound emotional and professional challenges showed incredible character and maturity well beyond his 25 years. While his graduation as a firefighter was somewhat overshadowed by Hayley’s grief, his nomination feels like the perfect way to celebrate Jerry’s strength, dedication, and the kind of person he is – truly a BOSS in every sense.
Michael Rose
Michael Rose is not only a brother to the person who nominated him, but an amazing, caring, and selfless boss to over 160 staff across several businesses in both the ACT and Queensland.
Even though he’s had an extremely tough year with his personal life, health, and business challenges, he has never stopped putting his three gorgeous sons and his staff first. As a single parent, he’s always available to mentor and be there for his staff, friends, and colleagues. He works tirelessly to keep his business running and growing, making sure to never give up and ensuring all his staff always have a job – even in the tough climate for small businesses.
Michael supports Soldier On through donations (over $20,000 so far) and is now also working with other non–profit organisations in Canberra. Even with limited spare time, he’s participated in the CEO Sleep Out on several occasions and provides a Christmas giving tree in his cafes to collect gifts for people in need.
He’s even supported other small business owners in Canberra to ensure they get to live out their dream of having their own business. As his nominator put it: “He puts so many people before himself – he is an inspiration. He needs to be bottled and cloned.”
Cast your vote
These five men represent the best of what leadership, resilience, and character look like in everyday life. Now it’s your turn to decide who takes home the major prize.
To vote
Comment on the Instagram post embedded above with the name of your chosen finalist. Voting closes at 5 pm on Monday 1 December. The finalist with the most votes will win the grand prize!
The winner will receive:
- $2,000 BOSS Canberra Outlet gift card
- 4 x VIP tickets to a Canberra Capitals home game (2025–26 season)
- 4 x VIP passes to the Canberra Brave 2026 home game series opener
- A feature article on HerCanberra
The nominator will also receive a $500 Canberra Outlet gift card.
Who gets your vote?
