The super-talented Julie Howell, a Web Heroine' who joined us for our inaugural Emerge Mini-Conference this year, has been named Alumnus of the Year 2012 by the University of Brighton. Julie, who is a real inspiration to women in business and digital says:  "I'm just an ordinary woman, not academically gifted, just persevering".

The award recognises:

• * Professional success demonstrated by notable career achievements
• * Extraordinary community involvement
• * Outstanding personal achievement
• * Significant volunteerism or philanthropy

There were 29 nominees on the shortlist, chosen by University alumni.  Julie was awarded in recognition of her public campaigning for the university, the support she has given students, her championing of diversity and equality issues, her achievements in setting up advocacy websites for people with disabilities, such as the Jooly's Joint website which is accessed by 60,000 people with MS, and her work as a mentor with the university's award-winning Momentum scheme. She was one of the first members of the university's Alumni Advice Network.

Julie has been noted many times during her career, including: the Greatest Individual Contribution to New Media in the New Media Age Effectiveness Awards and A Special Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007 from Net Imperative.

Personally we think Julie is a smashing lady and a role model for the idea that anything is possible if you put your mind to it. Julie will be delivering a 5-minute inspirational speech and if that wasn't excitement enough, Australian songwriter and novelist Nick Cave will be receiving an honorary degree at the ceremony. Nick is one of Julie's greatest heroes "I have to make a speech with him in the front row... this is, without doubt, the most nervous I’ve been about anything in my entire career!"

Well done Julie!