Australian Koala Foundation

Deborah Tabart OAM, CEO of the Australian Koala Foundation (AKF), has been selected to receive the 2011 Excellence in Communication Leadership (EXCEL) Award from the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC).

The EXCEL Award is the association's highest award given to a non-member, and recognizes individuals who exhibit strong leadership in fostering excellence in organizational communication. Tabart is scheduled to accept the award at the IABC 2011 World Conference in San Diego, California.

Tabart, known internationally and affectionately as "The Koala Woman," has dedicated the past two decades of her life to conserving the koala and it habitat. Under her leadership, the Australian Koala Foundation (AKF) has grown from a small group of scientists to an internationally recognized organization. She is a gifted communicator who works tirelessly to influence decision makers and the community to protect our environment.

Tabart understands fully that a small group of people dedicated to their mission can bring about intense change.

"I am delighted to win this award especially at a time when communication about the environment is more important than ever. I feel privileged to be the first woman to receive this accolade and look forward to teaching as much as I learn from my peers in their chosen field of communication", said Tabart