Migrant pioneer in arts wins accolade

The accolade celebrates individuals who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to promoting cultural understanding and artistic endeavours within and between culturally and linguistically diverse communities.
For over two decades, Lena has been a pioneering force in the arts and creative sectors, firstly at the Arts and Cultural Exchange and manager of Auburn Community Development Network as well as being on the board of the Arab Council.
Inspired by her lived intersectional experience of race, gender, and class, she has dedicated her career to advocating social change and fostering inclusive leadership.
Awarded a Churchill Fellowship (2023) and Western Sydney Woman Leader of Change Award (2020) Lena said winning the medal was a massive but very welcome surprise.
“Music, performance, theatre, writing and screen have the power to be transformative,” she said.
“The art that is being produced by NSW migrant, refugee and culturally diverse communities, including from my own Arab communities, are a testament to this.
“Even after working with hundreds of talented and dedicated creatives, I am still so aware of how marginalised culturally diverse communities are in all creative industries, and how much work we have to do.
“At Diversity Arts Australia we offer training and provide access to free assistance through the CreativeEquityToolkit.org and share resources like our Colour Cycle podcast.”