The Inclusion Award
In recognition of the women who champion intersectional diversity, equity, and inclusion. These women have thought beyond the boundaries of their own identity and advocated for the rights of those who are marginalised. They inspire others through activism, going beyond lip service to take action and create a better world.
Winner!
Stine Marsal
CEO & Founder, Experience Management Consult & InklusioNordic
Stine Marsal is a trailblazer redefining what inclusion means in customer and employee experience. As a sociologist, strategist, and changemaker, she combines deep lived experience with commercial insight to deliver practical, human-centred solutions that make a real difference—for people and for businesses.
Formerly the Nordic Director of the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower, Stine led the rollout of disability inclusion training across hundreds of organisations—from airports and retailers to cultural institutions. Under her leadership, staff across the Nordics were trained to recognise and respond to hidden barriers, making everyday experiences more accessible for people with invisible disabilities.
Now, as the founder of InklusioNordic, she’s building a new model for inclusion. Co-created with NGOs and rooted in community collaboration, InklusioNordic offers free, story-driven training to help companies design for diversity. Through powerful video content, lived-experience storytelling, and strategic guidance, Stine empowers teams to move beyond awareness into meaningful action.
What sets Stine apart is her ability to connect inclusion to outcomes. She reframes DEI as not just the right thing to do—but a smart, scalable strategy for improving service, growing loyalty, and reaching untapped markets. Her clients include some of the Nordics’ most iconic organisations, where her work is shifting both mindset and practice.
Judges praised her bold, purpose-driven approach. One said:
“Stine is a legend. Her impact is real, far-reaching, and the clarity of her vision makes her stand out as a leader of change.”
Another added:
“She shows how designing for those at risk of exclusion improves the experience for everyone. That’s true inclusion.”
By helping companies see what’s invisible and act with intention, Stine is changing not only experiences but expectations. Her work reminds us that inclusion done right doesn’t divide, it connects.
Highly Commended!
Lara Husselbee
Head of Learning Experience and Research, Macquarie Group
Lara Husselbee [she/her] is a dynamic CX and learning leader whose work spans continents, communities, and causes. With over 15 years of experience across sectors including financial services, tech, health, and government, she has consistently championed diversity, equity, and inclusion through every aspect of customer and employee experience design.
Lara's commitment to inclusion goes far beyond policy—it’s embedded in her daily practice. As the former President of Wear It Purple, she helped grow the national reach and global visibility of LGBTQIA+ youth advocacy, launching inclusive education campaigns, securing major partnerships, and establishing grant programs that continue to create impact years later.
At Macquarie Group, Lara has led initiatives that place inclusive design at the heart of business practice. From a CX toolkit accessed across the company to programs that demystify AI through tailored, safe learning environments, she has ensured that inclusion is not a checkbox, but a strategic and cultural asset. She’s also brought marginalised voices into service redesign projects—ensuring solutions are shaped with, not just for, communities.
Judges were deeply moved by her storytelling, impact, and authenticity. One said:
“Lara demonstrates how inclusion and advocacy can be woven into everything—from CX to leadership. Her influence is global, and her passion is unmistakable.”
Another praised the entry’s strength:
“This is what inclusive leadership looks like in action. The evidence, reach, and humility in Lara’s work is truly inspiring.”
Whether speaking at global forums, mentoring emerging leaders, or transforming frontline training into empowerment, Lara leads by example. Her work proves that inclusive design changes lives—and that when we uplift those too often overlooked, we build stronger, more human experiences for all.