FORMER GOVERNOR GENERAL OF AUSTRALIA

The Honourable Dame Quentin Bryce AD CVO has dedicated her life to public service, human rights, and gender equity. As Australia's first female Governor-General, and former Governor of Queensland, she brings decades of national leadership and reform across law, education, and social justice. A former Federal Sex Discrimination Commissioner, she has championed the rights of women, children, and families her entire career. With deep roots in community engagement and a lifelong commitment to dignity, equality, and representation (and an undying love of books), she offers rare insight and distinction to the Hope Prize judging panel.

FORMER PRIME MINISTER OF AUSTRALIA

Julia Gillard served served as the 27th Prime Minister of Australia; the first and only woman to have held the office. She is a global leader in education, gender equity, and public policy. She is the author of three books, including Women and Leadership, co-authored with Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, and Not Now, Not Ever, reflecting on her iconic misogyny speech. She currently chairs the Wellcome Trust and the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership, and serves as Patron of CAMFED, championing girls’ education across Africa. A lifelong advocate for bold ideas and social justice, she brings intellectual rigour, a global perspective, and a deep love of literature to the judging panel.

AUTHOR, ACADEMIC AND EDUCATION ACTIVIST

Dr. Vee Kativhu is an award-winning education activist, bestselling author, and global advocate for girls’ empowerment. A graduate of Oxford and Harvard, and a UN Young Leader for the Sustainable Development Goals, she is the founder of Empowered By Vee, a charity focused on increasing access to higher education for underrepresented students. Named one of BBC’s 100 Women and a British Vogue Force for Change, Vee combines academic insight with dynamic youth engagement across platforms like YouTube and Instagram. Her passion for equity and her deep commitment to storytelling as a tool for change make her a powerful voice on the judging panel.

BESTSELLING AUTHOR AND FEMINIST

Kathy Lette is an internationally bestselling author, screenwriter, performer and feminist icon whose razor-sharp wit has defined a generation of comic writing. She burst onto the literary scene at seventeen with Puberty Blues, now a cult classic, and has since published twenty novels translated into nineteen languages. Her work fearlessly tackles gender inequality, motherhood, and the messy, hilarious, and often overlooked realities of being a woman; always with irreverence and heart. A fierce advocate for social justice and a champion of bold female voices, Kathy brings literary flair, cultural critique, and a deep love of storytelling to our judging panel.

CHAIRMAN OF READINGS BOOKS

Mark Rubbo is one of Australia’s most respected literary figures and the Chairman of Readings Books; Australia’s largest independent book chain. A founding chair of the Melbourne Writers Festival, Mark has spent over five decades nurturing literary culture. In 2006, he was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for his service to the community through the promotion of Australian literature. From his early days running a record and bookshop on Lygon Street to receiving the Lloyd O’Neil Award for distinguished service to the book industry, Mark has remained a tireless advocate for books, ideas, and most importantly, writers. He brings unmatched industry knowledge and an incredible understanding of literature to our judging panel.

MANAGING DIRECTOR OF SIMON & SCHUSTER AUSTRALIA

Dan Ruffino has worked with books for his entire career. A lifetime denizen of the Australian publishing industry, he is Managing Director of Simon & Schuster Australia, where he has led the company to record growth. With a career spanning Pan Macmillan, Penguin, and global digital leadership at Penguin New York, Dan has worked with some of the world’s most celebrated authors; from Dave Grohl to Jackie Collins, Richard Flanagan, and Tim Winton. He brings a sharp editorial eye, deep industry insight, and a lifelong commitment to powerful storytelling to the Hope Prize judging panel.