Cessalee Smith-Stovall has a name for her imposter syndrome. It’s Tyrone. She says when she applied for the Westpac Social Change Fellowship, she had to ask Tyrone to leave. For people who spend their days working to improve the lives of others, it can be uncomfortable to look inward. But it can also be transformative.

The Myer Innovation Fellowships support breakthrough solutions to Australia’s most pressing social and environmental challenges and bring new talent to the social sector. Fellows are offered funding and the unique opportunity to take twelve months away from their current role to pursue a big idea that has the potential to achieve positive social outcomes.

Over the past ten years, the Kenneth Myer Innovation Fellowship program has supported some of Australia’s brightest, self-directed leaders to forge breakthrough solutions to challenges facing Australia today — from poverty and disadvantage to sustainability and the environment. Unlike many opportunities for social change, the Fellowship program provides support to individuals rather than organisations, with Fellows each receiving $150,000 for their 12-month commitment to the program.

The Myer Innovation Fellowships support breakthrough solutions to Australia’s most pressing social and environmental challenges and bring new talent to the social sector. Fellows are offered funding and the unique opportunity to take twelve months away from their current role to pursue a big idea that has the potential to achieve positive social outcomes.

Mikhara Ramsing is a 2018 Westpac Social Change Fellow, a social entrepreneur and businesswoman, an activist for culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) LGBTIQA+ inclusion, a QLD Young Australian of the Year nominee, a mentee and mentor. But just two years ago as she considered applying for the Westpac Social Change Fellowship, she shares how she was struck with feelings of self doubt as she wondered whether this was a program for people far more qualified than her.