Women’s empowerment advocate Tendayi Ganga has been named Canberra’s Citizen of the Year for 2026, in recognition of her work supporting women across the capital.

Ms Ganga founded the Born To Shine Organisation in 2019, delivering mentorship programs, skills development, financial education and family-focused events aimed at empowering women, particularly from multicultural communities.

Her work spans both large-scale speaking engagements and grassroots workshops, with a focus on helping women overcome barriers and build confidence.

In 2025, the organisation hosted its first Mother-Daughter Event Against Domestic Violence, designed to encourage open discussion and raise awareness of the issue within the community.

Ms Ganga said the recognition reflected her ongoing commitment to creating supportive spaces for women and families.

“I am deeply honoured by this recognition,” she said.

“Through Born To Shine, my passion has always been to create safe spaces where women and families can discover their strength, embrace their purpose, and remember that we are all born to shine.”