Dr Susan Alberti AC

In 1994, Susan founded the Walk to Cure Diabetes around Albert Park Lake. Now an annual event across Australia, the walk has raised more than $30 million for research. In 1997, Susan received a Member of the Order of Australia for services to the community.

In 2001, Susan's only child, Danielle, died due to juvenile diabetes related complications. Since then, Susan has worked tirelessly to raise millions of dollars for research into Juvenile Type 1 Diabetes, as well other medical research. Today, Susan is the Chair of the Susan Alberti Medical Research Foundation. For 23 years, she served as National President of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, a voluntary support organisation.

The Susan Alberti Women in Research Award is named in honour of Susan as a long-standing medical research advocate and philanthropist. The award is presented annually to scientists to continue to support diabetes research in Victoria.

In 2007, Susan was awarded the Officer of the Order of Australia for her support of major medical research institutions, particularly as a philanthropist, fund-raiser and advocate for juvenile diabetes care and research. In 2010, she became a member of the Australia Day Committee (Victoria). In 2013, Susan received the Research Australia Great Australian Philanthropy Award, in recognition of her philanthropic contributions, particularly in the area of Type 1 Diabetes research.

Susan has been a patron of the Western Bulldogs Football Club for over ten years and was the founding Co-Chair of the Western Bulldogs Forever Foundation. In 2008, she received the Australian Rules Football Woman of the Year award, and in 2012 was elected Vice President of the Western Bulldogs.

Alberti was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia on 26 January 2016 for 'eminent service to the community, particularly through philanthropic and fundraising support for a range of medical research, education and sporting organisations, as an advocate for improved health care services for the disadvantaged, and to young women as a role model and mentor'.