Design, Architecture and Building Award

Arielle Gamble is a changemaker, strategist, and storyteller whose work is reshaping Australia’s climate movement. As CEO and Co-Founder of Groundswell Giving, Arielle has built a national community of donors, advocates, and collaborators committed to funding effective climate solutions. Under her leadership, Groundswell has mobilised millions in philanthropic support, catalysed cross-sector partnerships, and inspired a new wave of climate action rooted in equity and impact.

Arielle’s vision goes beyond funding—it’s about inclusion and systemic change. Together with her co-founders, she launched the Groundswell Climate Fellowship and Culture Shapers program to bring diverse voices into the climate space, and she’s a passionate advocate for women-led responses to climate crises across the Pacific through her work with ActionAid’s Arise Leadership Circle. Her influence spans sectors, from philanthropy and business to the arts, and she’s been recognised as a TEDxSydney speaker and a Fellow of Australian Progress.

Before Groundswell, Arielle’s creative leadership was evident in projects like All We Can’t See, a powerful exhibition that visualised the Nauru Files through art, amplifying stories of injustice and sparking national conversation. Her ability to blend creativity with advocacy continues to define her approach to social change.  

UTS taught me that communication isn’t just about words—it’s about connection, courage, and creating change. It gave me the tools to turn ideas into impact, and that foundation has shaped everything I’ve done since.

Clare Herschell is a visionary leader in climate philanthropy, giving innovation, arts, and community building. As Co-Founder of Groundswell Giving, she has helped transform the way Australians engage with climate action, cultivating cultural leadership and connecting philanthropic resources with high-impact advocacy and solutions.  

Launched during the Australian bushfires, in five years Groundswell has distributed over $5 million to more than 100 climate organisations, reshaping the landscape of climate philanthropy and action in Australia.

Clare’s leadership is grounded in creativity and inclusion. She has pioneered approaches that democratise giving, redistribute power, and amplify the many “currencies” of philanthropy beyond money alone. Through initiatives such as the Groundswell Climate Fellowships, she has also galvanised cross-sector leaders, empowering a new generation of climate advocates and driving tangible environmental outcomes.

Her advocacy bridges environmental and social justice, ensuring that climate solutions are equitable, community-driven, and rooted in collaboration. Clare’s reputation for creative idea generation and her ability to convene diverse groups behind common goals has made her a trusted strategist, mentor, and changemaker.

Beyond Groundswell, Clare is a Trustee of the Art Gallery of NSW Foundation, the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Trust, a board member of Surfers for Climate, an incoming board member of Grata Fund, and is an active member of the Australian Environmental Grantmakers Network.  

Her leadership style emphasises community first and treats climate change as both a humanitarian and environmental issue, reinforcing philanthropy’s role in protecting the future of communities.

One of the key pillars of advocacy is storytelling, to help shift the cultural narrative. Design is a tool for change and UTS taught me how to think critically and creatively. That foundation has shaped everything I do, from building campaigns to building community.