A student from the University of Notre Dame Australia, has been named one of Australia’s top emerging leaders through a national program that recognises outstanding achievements and career potential.
Charlotte Carles, a third-year Bachelor of Laws student in Fremantle, was named in the Australian Financial Review’s Top 100 Future Leaders list and was awarded the national Social Impact Award.
Charlotte was one of only two students from Western Australia to be included in the Top 100 list, which celebrates high-performing students and connects them with Australia’s top graduate employers.
Charlotte said she was proud to represent Western Australia on the national list and was honoured to have been recognised by industry leaders through the Social Impact Award.
She received her award at the Future Leaders awards ceremony in Sydney – a night she described as surreal.
“This award is a testament to the amazing community here in Freo that has supported my career trajectory over the last few years,” she said.
“Winning this is a major milestone that has made me reflect deeply on what leadership and contributing to society means. I now feel more committed than ever to creating a positive impact in the spaces that I study and work in.”
Charlotte was awarded the prestigious New Colombo Plan Scholarship in 2024 and was chosen to represent Western Australia in UNICEF Australia’s Young Ambassador program last year.
Winning the New Colombo Plan Scholarship inspired her to push herself out of her comfort zone, seek new opportunities and support her fellow emerging leaders.
Charlotte is also deeply connected to the University community, serving as a Student Ambassador, Equity Ambassador, Peer Career Facilitator and 2026 New Colombo Plan Alumni Representative.
She said she was driven by a deep-rooted commitment to meaningfully contribute to society, whether through advocating for the rights of children and young people through her role as a Young Ambassador or supporting her fellow students at Notre Dame.
“While it has been exciting to achieve national wins like the Top 100 List, individual achievements aren’t meaningful to me unless (they can be) shared with the community,” she said.
“That’s why I am grateful to Notre Dame for the ongoing support over the last few years.”