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WINNERS ANNOUNCED
Congratulations to the Winners!
Well done to all involved including 16 women in the ’emerging leader’ categories and another nine who are supporting others as change champions, agenda setters and mentors. Check out the list on the tab above.
We’ve got inspiring entrepreneurs, CEOs and even a Chief Pilot in the mix.
The one thing they all share in common is an extraordinary talent for leadership, and desire to see others succeed.
Please see the event on Facebook to follow the luncheon as it happens, and check out our live blog on the day.
Angela Priestley
Associate Publisher, Women’s Agenda
ABOUT THE NAB WOMEN’S AGENDA LEADERSHIP AWARDS
In 2015, the third annual NAB Women’s Agenda Leadership Awards will celebrate the best and most inspiring female talent in business and the community, as well as the men and women who help women achieve.
With nine categories covering emerging and established leadership talent in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors as well as entrepreneurs and business owners, the Awards are an opportunity for Australian women to proudly promote their achievements and contributions.
The Awards recognise accomplishments and work achieved over the 12 months prior to entry, with finalists and winners assessed according to set criteria provided for each category.
We define an emerging leader as a woman of any age who is currently demonstrating her talent and capacity for driving change within her own team and/or organisation. She is on her way to running significant organisations, initiatives and teams, and is fast becoming a prominent and visible leadership star of the future.
Our Awards luncheon is on the 26th February 2015 in Sydney, and will be a celebration of the outstanding female talent available in Australia as well as a fabulous networking opportunity for Women’s Agenda readers who’d like to connect with finalists, winners, judges and like-minded women.
CHECK OUT THE 2014 EVENT
AWARDS PROCESS
A brief overview of how the NAB Women’s Agenda Leadership Awards work:
- NOMINATIONS
Nominate yourself or another woman you know by completing the entry form. - JUDGING
A Women’s Agenda panel shortlists the finalists once entries close. Shortlisted finalists will be contacted and announced in January. Our panel of expert external judges will then assess the finalists to determine each category winner. See more on the judging process in our FAQs. - WINNERS ANNOUNCED
Winners are announced at the Awards luncheon in Sydney on 26 February, 2015.
ELIGIBILITY
To be eligible to enter the 2015 NAB Women’s Agenda Leadership Awards, you must meet the following criteria:
- You must be an Australian resident; and
- You are not an employee of Private Media or an Award judge
For the third year Women’s Agenda is hosting an exclusive luncheon on February 26, 2015
to announce and celebrate the winners of the 2015 NAB Women’s Agenda Leadership Awards.
This is your opportunity to applaud the Award winners, hear from an inspiring keynote speaker and network with judges, finalists and the Women’s Agenda Community. You can do all this while enjoying a two-course meal at a stunning location, while also celebrating the careers of women in the lead up to International Women’s Day.
Tickets for this event sold out in 2013 & 2014 and with ticket packages to suit everyone, it’s an opportunity not to be missed.
Date and Time: Thursday 26 February 2014, 12.00pm – 3.00pm
Location: Doltone House, Darling Island Wharf – 48 Pirrama Road Pyrmont NSW 2009
Message from NAB – Key Sponsorship Partner
At NAB, we recognise the importance and influence of women in driving economic and social decisions and we are keen to support women in creating positive change. We provide networks, connections and opportunities to build prosperous communities, where women feel empowered.
That’s why we’re pleased to again partner with Women’s Agenda to celebrate and recognise Australia’s emerging and leading women and the role they play in the community.
The Awards acknowledge and celebrate the extraordinary and unique approach so many talented women make to leadership, innovation and the way they effect change and influence. This is an amazing opportunity to further your leadership development, make a noticeable difference and inspire others.
I encourage women from all walks of life to nominate for the Awards; be courageous, stand up and be recognised for the amazing work that you do.
I look forward to seeing you at the Awards.
Rebecca Kotow
Head of Community Engagement
National Australia Bank
Our Major Partner
Winner & Finalist Benefits
- An invitation to join our alumni of award winners, including networking opportunities with previous and future winners
- All finalists and winners receive a framed commemorative certificate
- Finalists and winners receive permission to display the NAB Women’s Agenda Leadership Awards Finalist or Winner email badge
- For winners outside NSW, one return economy airfare to Sydney for the Awards luncheon
- One ticket to attend the pre-awards cocktail function on the evening of Wednesday, 25th February 2015
- One ticket to the NAB Women’s Agenda Leadership Awards luncheon
- One night’s accommodation for interstate finalists (transfers and incidental expenses excluded)
Awards Categories
By Nomination
The AGENDA setter
Awarded to the most inspirational and successful woman who makes a difference, provides real solutions in the world today and is instrumental in building a smarter planet.
MENTOR OF THE YEAR Award
Awarded to a woman who is using her achievements, experience and high profile to mentor or sponsor other women, and help more women to excel in their careers.
MALE OR FEMALE CHANGE CHAMPION of the year
This Award recognises the significant contribution of a man or woman whose determination, commitment and dedication has changed the landscape for women within their organisation or more broadly across Australian society.
By Entry
EMERGING ENTREPRENEUR of the year
Awarded to a woman who has established a new business or significantly progressed an existing business in the last 12 months.
EMERGING LEADER in the Private Sector
Awarded to an emerging leader in the private sector who has demonstrated a positive and measurable impact in her field of expertise.
EMERGING LEADER in the Public Sector
Awarded to an emerging leading in the public sector who has demonstrated a positive and measurable impact in her field of expertise.
EMERGING LEADER in the Not-for-Profit Sector
Awarded to an emerging leading in the not-for-profit sector who has demonstrated a positive and measurable impact in her field of expertise.
Regional / Rural Entrepreneur or Manager of the Year
Awarded to the most inspirational and successful female entrepreneur or manager who runs her business, or business unit, in a regional or rural location and makes a contribution to the local community.
Judges Decision:
Winners Prizes & Benefits
Brief overview of how the NAB Women’s Agenda Leadership Awards work:
- Nominations
Nominate yourself or another woman you know by completing the entry form. - Judging
A Women’s Agenda panel shortlists the finalists once entries close. Shortlisted finalists will be contacted and announced in January. Our panel of expert external judges will then assess the finalists to determine each category winner. See more on the judging process. - Winners announced
Winners are announced at the awards luncheon in Sydney on 26 February, 2015.
The Judges
Petra Buchanan
CEO, McGrath Foundation
Rebecca Kotow
Head of Community Engagement, NAB
Sharon Cook
Managing Partner, Henry Davis York
Contact Us
Answers to the most commonly asked questions about the NAB Women’s Agenda Leadership Awards. Please contact us if you still have any questions here.
Frequently Asked Questions
I have been nominated more than once, does this improve my chances of winning?
Yes. While it’s not a numbers game, multiple quality nominations will give the judges more material to work with when determining the list of finalists and later the winners.
I have been nominated by someone else but don’t want to enter, what should I do?
All nominations are confidential and nominees are welcome to cancel their nomination at any time. The Women’s Agenda team will contact all finalists to let them know they’ve been shortlisted for the Awards before announcing any such list publicly. Finalists are welcome to let us know at this point if they do not wish to proceed.
How much does it cost to enter the Awards?
It’s free.
Can I win more than one Award?
Yes. Each award is judged independently.
How do you treat confidential entry information?
All our external judges and members of the Women’s Agenda panel (a small group of Private Media employees) are required to sign a confidentiality agreement before seeing the nominations. Our external judges will only see the nomination forms of finalists. All finalists will be contacted prior to this information being sent through to these judges or being made available on the Women’s Agenda website.
How long does it take to enter the Awards?
Once you have the information you require on hand we recommend you spend at least one hour preparing your entry.
Can I enter the Awards if I have previously been a finalist or Awards winner?
Yes. The 2013 and 2014 award winners and finalists will not be treated differently during the 2015 judging process and we encourage all nominees to enter again. However, we remind all nominees that judges will be considering information provided that’s relevant to their work in 2014, rather than 2013.
What happens if I change jobs after I enter?
Changing jobs does not make your award invalid as we ask you to address your work over the previous 12 months and we judge finalists and winners based on this period. However, should you have a change of organisation, job, position or contact details we ask you to get in contact [email protected] so we can update our records.
What is the judging process?
There is a two-tiered approach to judging these Awards – firstly involving a Private Media working panel and then our list of external judges – and a number of steps we undertake before determining our overall winners.
a. As we receive hundreds of nominations, a small working group within Private Media (publisher of Women’s Agenda) will determine our short-list of finalists according to the criteria provided for each award.
b. All finalists are then contacted by Women’s Agenda to let them know they’ve been shortlisted for the Awards, and to verify details provided in their nomination forms. This may involve a short (10 to 15 minute) telephone interview and reference checks.
c. Each award is assigned a panel of external judges. Each of our judges are asked to assess between one and four Awards.
d. The list of finalists is then sent to our external judges for assessment, a group chaired by Women’s Agenda associate publisher Angela Priestley. We ask our judges to inform us of any potential conflicts of interest in the list of finalists they’re provided. Should there be a conflict, the judge will be removed from that award category.
e. Our external judges are asked to independently assess each award according to the set criteria we ask nominees to address.
f. All external judges are invited to participate in a conference call to discuss the winners and assist in delivering a joint verdict.
g. Winners are NOT informed they have won prior to the Awards luncheon. All finalists are invited to prepare a short speech should they be the overall winner on the day.
The Awards are in Sydney but I live interstate. Will Women’s Agenda help cover my travel costs if I’m a finalist?
We want as many finalists there on the day as possible. Women’s Agenda will provide flights and accommodation for interstate finalists to attend the luncheon in Sydney on the 26th February. Finalists are also provided with one free ticket to attend the luncheon.
How will I know whether I am selected as a finalist?
A Women’s Agenda representative will be in contact to let you know if you’re a finalist and to schedule a phone interview. Unsuccessful finalists will be contacted via email.
Can I get any feedback after the judging process has been completed?
Unfortunately as we expect to receive hundreds of nominations, it will not be possible to obtain feedback after the judging process has been completed.
Are there any opportunities to network with Awards alumni after the event?
Women’s Agenda and partner NAB host an annual Alumni luncheon for Awards winners after the event. This is an opportunity for current and previous winners to share experiences and network together. Further events will be released as our alumni community grows.
When do tickets go on sale for the Awards luncheon?
Tickets for the Awards luncheon will go on sale in December 2014 and are available through this website.
How many tickets can I buy?
As many tickets as you like, as long as they’re available! Please note that our event has previously sold out.
Do you offer corporate rates?
We offer special rates for corporate tables.
CONGRATULATIONS to the 2015 Winners of the
NAB Women’s Agenda Leadership Awards!
THE AGENDA setter
Tracy Howe
CEO, NSW Council of Social Services
Tracy Howe is a passionate and visible media spokesperson on domestic/family violence (DFV) and homelessness, who is leading a new agenda on the issue via a number of leadership roles. As CEO of the Women’s Refuge Movement (now Domestic Violence NSW), she fought off opposition to help revolutionise the provision of domestic violence services, increase funding, and broadened its role to lead a sustained conversation about the impacts of DFV. Howe was recently appointed CEO of NCOSS, where she continues to lead change to improve services and raise awareness.
MENTOR of the year
Sharon Warburton
Executive Director of Strategy and Finance, Brookfield Multiplex
Sharon Warburton is the Executive Director of Strategy and Finance at Brookfield Multiplex. She successfully manages this role as well as being a personal mentor to more than 50 young women and men. She is also the founder of the online mentoring website www.steelheels.com.au. On top of this, she is a Non-Executive Director at Fortescue Metals Group (one of Australia’s largest companies), a Board member for numerous Not for Profit organisations and a Single Parent. She has worked hard to drive cultural change in our emerging leaders through mentoring and is passionate about supporting women to thrive in today’s male dominated industries. In 2014, she was named the Western Australian Telstra Business Woman of the Year.
MALE OR FEMALE CHANGE CHAMPION of the year
Julie Bernhardt
Co-head, Stroke Division, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health
Associate Professor Julie Bernhardt is a medical researcher specialising in stroke, and the principal investigator of an international clinical trial. She will soon present the results of her 12-year research to the European Stroke Conference, an epic project that has seen her lead more than 50 investigators across the world and attract more than $5 million in funding. Bernhardt is leading, innovating and inspiring in an industry that is typically dominated by men, and is a founding member and chair of the Equality in Science group, dedicated to improving female workplace participation in the field.
EMERGING ENTREPRENEUR of the year
Nikki Jurcutz
Priority Training Group
The Priority Training Group is a registered training organisation that provides two specialist first aid training programs. PriorityCPR focuses on corporate first aid whilst Tiny Hearts provides Paediatric First Aid to new parents and parents-to-be. At age 24 Nicki Jurcutz was the youngest women in Australia to own a registered training organisation and, two years later, her goal of making first aid engaging, time efficient and cost effective is coming into fruition. In 2014 the Priority Training Group expanded interstate, tripled in size and secured a partnership with Cotton On KIDS. The business is almost entirely paperless due to its reliance on an online cloud solution and the fact students are given iPads during training. By 2016 they will be paperless which Jurcutz says is rare in the industry. Targeting pregnant celebrities has proved to be a savvy strategy as many of these high-profile Australians have become unofficial ambassasdors for Tiny Hearts.
EMERGING LEADER in the private sector
Lauren Williams
CEO, CarsGuide.com.au
Lauren Williams is the CEO at CarsGuide.com.au. She was appointed CEO less than two years ago and has managed to transform the business and disrupt the incumbent. In her very first CEO role, Williams was forced to make difficult business decisions in the interest of turning the company around financially, and she was very successful. Revenue grew 40% in her first full financial year which was recognised by Deloitte when the business placed 10th in the top 50 fastest growing companies in 2014.
EMERGING LEADER in the public sector
Linda Spurr
General Manager, Learning Academy, Airservices Australia
Linda Spurr has led a considerable reform agenda at the helm of Airservices Australia’s Learning Academy, focusing on improvement and innovation at a time of unprecedented demand, emerging workforce requirements, fiscal constraints and regulatory changes. In addition to succesfully reaccrediting as a Registered Training Organisation, under Spurr’s management the academy has yielded an increase of 62% training throughput, a 9% reduction in unit training costs, award recognition for training excellence and a 25% increase in staff engagement. In 2014 she succesfully introduced a number of initiatives to ensure the organisation can meet its future workforce requirements, improve programs and increase staff development and engagement.
EMERGING LEADER in the not-for-profit sector
Lucy Perry
CEO, Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia (Australia) Limited
With no starting budget, Lucy Perry has developed the systems, infrastructure and small team at the Australian arm of Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia, and raised more than $6 million since launching in 2012. In the past 12 months, she’s developed an intern program, expanded the volunteer team to a combined 800 hours a month, and created a number of innovative fundraising and partnership campaigns. She’s a passionate and determined leader, with a goal to make the charity one of the best places to work in Australia.
Rural/Regional ENTREPRENEUR or MANAGER of the Year
Simone Kain
Director, Hello Friday Pty Ltd
Simone Kain is the director of Hello Friday Pty Ltd, a creative agency based in the south east of South Australia. In 2014, while still servicing clients, Kain launched a unique character and App called George the Farmer, whose aim is to address future food security issues by educating children on farming practices and food and fibre production. The App has received national press coverage, been listed in the iTunes top 10 Australian and New Zealand educational apps for primary school students, and been written in to the Australian Schools Curriculum as being a valuable resource. Kain will be presenting on food security at the upcoming International Rural Women’s Conference in Adelaide and has been named one of SA’s most 20 innovative women.
2015 Finalists
THE AGENDA setter
Georgina Sutton
Chief Pilot/Head of Flight Operations, Jetstar Airways
Georgina Sutton is changing the agenda for women in aviation. One of just 75 female pilots out of a total of 2075 pilots in Qantas 18 months ago, she was promoted to become the first woman Head of 767 Fleet Captains in Qantas, responsible for a challenging transformation. In late 2014, she was appointed Chief Pilot and Head of Flight Operations at Jetstar, one of a tiny number of women to serve in such positions around the world.
Tracy Howe
CEO, NSW Council of Social Services
Tracy Howe is a passionate and visible media spokesperson on domestic/family violence (DFV) and homelessness, who is leading a new agenda on the issue via a number of leadership roles. As CEO of the Women’s Refuge Movement (now Domestic Violence NSW), she fought off opposition to help revolutionise the provision of domestic violence services, increase funding, and broadened its role to lead a sustained conversation about the impacts of DFV. Howe was recently appointed CEO of NCOSS, where she continues to lead change to improve services and raise awareness.
Linny Kimly Phuong
Chair & Founder, The Water Well Project
Dr Linny Phuong is a junior doctor and founder of The Water Well Project, a not-for-profit offering health literacy to refugees and asylum seekers. She’s changing the agenda for refugees and asylum seekers with knowledge, working with a network of doctors, community groups and support organisations to deliver hundreds of interactive health sessions in Melbourne. Phuong is also an Australia Day ambassador and works with Water Well on top of her full time role as a training paediatrician.
MENTOR of the year
Janet Michelmore
Executive Director, Jean Hailes for Women’s Health
Janet Michelmore AO is the executive director at Jean Hailes for Women’s Health. The organisation was founded in 1992 in honour of Janet’s late mother and extraordinary medical practitioner, Dr Jean Hailes. In 1993, Janet established the Jean Hailes Education Unit, and today leads the whole organisation which is recognised around Australia for its engaging and far-reaching education programs, research and clinical care. She is a passionate advocate for women’s health and the organisation has flourished under her dedicated leadership. Michelmore is also a dedicated mentor and has implemented inter-staff mentoring programs to ensure all staff members are supported and valued. Her staff consider her to be a compassionate and dedicated leader and an excellent mentor.
Jennifer Martin
Professor, University of Queensland, NHMRC, Australian Academy of Science SAGE Forum Steering Committee
Jennifer Martin is a Professor at the Institute for Molecular Bioscience at the University of Queensland and a passionate advocate for the advancement of women in science. She develops new molecules to tackle the problem of antibiotic resistance and is a recipient of the Australian Research Council Australian Laureate Fellowship. She has also dedicated her efforts to addressing the chronic underrepresentation of female speakers at science conferences. She devised a model for achieving gender balance at academic conferences in the field of science, which was been adopted and implemented across the globe. She was also appointed to the Science in Australian Gender Equality steering committee of the Australian Academy of Science, and continues to use this role to advocate for the advancement of women in science.
Sharon Warburton
Executive Director of Strategy and Finance, Brookfield Multiplex
Sharon Warburton is the Executive Director of Strategy and Finance at Brookfield Multiplex. She successfully manages this role as well as being a personal mentor to more than 50 young women and men. She is also the founder of the online mentoring website www.steelheels.com.au. On top of this, she is a Non-Executive Director at Fortescue Metals Group (one of Australia’s largest companies), a Board member for numerous Not for Profit organisations and a Single Parent. She has worked hard to drive cultural change in our emerging leaders through mentoring and is passionate about supporting women to thrive in today’s male dominated industries. In 2014, she was named the Western Australian Telstra Business Woman of the Year.
MALE OR FEMALE CHANGE CHAMPION of the year
Julie Bernhardt
Co-head, Stroke Division, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health
Associate Professor Julie Bernhardt is a medical researcher specialising in stroke, and the principal investigator of an international clinical trial. She will soon present the results of her 12-year research to the European Stroke Conference, an epic project that has seen her lead more than 50 investigators across the world and attract more than $5 million in funding. Bernhardt is leading, innovating and inspiring in an industry that is typically dominated by men, and is a founding member and chair of the Equality in Science group, dedicated to improving female workplace participation in the field.
Jessi Miley-Dyer
Deputy Commissioner, Association of Surfing Professionals/World Surf League
Jessi Miley-Dyer has spent the past 12 months at the World Surf League transforming the sport for women. As the League’s first women’s commissioner, and former professional surfer herself, she has more than doubled the prizemoney for each women’s world championship tour event, introduced three new events into the women’s schedule and fought to ensure female surfers get the same opportunities – and access to the best waves – at surfing events. She has been instrumental in making 2014 the best year yet for women’s professional surfing.
Aviva Tuffield
Co-founder and Executive Director, Stella Prize
Aviva Tuffield has been instrumental in founding and developing the Stella Prize, a major literary award for Australian women that has become a powerful fixture on the literary landscape since launching in 2012. With the passion, dedication and sheer hours Tuffield has put in, the Stella Prize has become a turning point for women’s writing – seeing more books written by women being sold in Australia, and an uptick in the number of women writers reviewed by major newspapers and journals. The Stella Prize Schools Program is also helping to drive change, introducing young role models to schoolgirls and creating a more egalitarian Australia for the future.
EMERGING ENTREPRENEUR of the year
Zoe Piper
EColour
In 2009 Zoe Piper co-founded Ecolour, an Australian-based manufacturer of premium quality paint. The business operates a factory in Byron Bay, a dedicated trade store in Melbourne and a growing online store. Ecolour products are non-toxic, carbon neutral and cost competitive. In late 2014 the Green Building Council of Australia approved the awarding of additional Green Star innovation points to developments that use Ecolour paints. With over 400 major Green Star construction projects currently occurring around the country, this presents a significant opportunity for the business. The company is in the final stages of a large round of capital raising from new investors and is beginning to make traction in the domestic market which is worth $3 billion annually.
Andrea Myles
Chinese Australia Millennial Project
In 12 months the China Australia Millennial Project (CAMP) has grown from an idea to a successful for-profit social enterprise with 6 staff, a former foreign minister, Bob Carr, as its patron and the support of PwC, FINSIA, AMP and more. The business, designed to maximise opportunities for young entrepreneurs in China and Australia, was launched in Shanghai by NSW Premier Mike Baird in 2014. After growing up in regional Australia, embarking on a transformative backpacking trip across China at age 23 and completing two Masters degrees in Chinese, Myles was asked to come on board as CEO of the Australia China Business Council. CAMP was born as Myles realised the need to foster the relationship between millennials, aged 18-35 today, who will have carriage over the relationship with Australia’s largest trading partner, as China becomes the worlds largest economy. In June 2015 CAMP will unite 100 young entrepreneurs from China with 100 similar young innovators for a 5 days incubator program.
Nikki Jurcutz
Priority Training Group
The Priority Training Group is a registered training organisation that provides two specialist first aid training programs. PriorityCPR focuses on corporate first aid whilst Tiny Hearts provides Paediatric First Aid to new parents and parents-to-be. At age 24 Nicki Jurcutz was the youngest women in Australia to own a registered training organisation and, two years later, her goal of making first aid engaging, time efficient and cost effective is coming into fruition. In 2014 the Priority Training Group expanded interstate, tripled in size and secured a partnership with Cotton On KIDS. The business is almost entirely paperless due to its reliance on an online cloud solution and the fact students are given iPads during training. By 2016 they will be paperless which Jurcutz says is rare in the industry. Targeting pregnant celebrities has proved to be a savvy strategy as many of these high-profile Australians have become unofficial ambassasdors for Tiny Hearts.
Lorraine Murphy
The Remarkables Group
In May 2012 Lorraine Murphy established the first dedicated talent agency for bloggers in Australia after spotting a gap in the market. Her experience in marketing and PR helped her to recognise the disconnect between brands and bloggers, and the opportunities in linking them. Educating the market remains a priority for the agency that is generating results. After starting with five leading bloggers, the agency now represents 24 clients and is on track to double revenue from FY2013/14 to FY2014/15. In the past year The Remarkables Group has doubled in size, opened an office in Melbourne and established a succesfull intern program that has resulted in full time positions for two candidates. In 2014 the agency hosted Influencer Forums in Sydney and Melbourne with clients including LOreal, Origin Energy, Woolworths and Olympus.
EMERGING LEADER in the private sector
Sarah Turner
General Counsel, EBOS Group Ltd
Sarah Turner has enjoyed a successful career in corporate law and has proven herself to be an open and effective leader. In her role as General Counsel of Symbion Pty Ltd, a pharmaceutical wholesaler, she oversaw the merger of the company with EBOS Group limited. She was then appointed General Counsel to the combined group, which is now dual listed on the Australian and New Zealand stock exchanges. She managed the merger effectively by communicating openly with her employees to ensure the best possible outcome. She is currently the only woman reporting to the CEO of the merged companies and is a role model for younger women.
Anita Mitchell
General Manager, Sustainability- Barangaroo South, Lend Lease
Anita Mitchell is the general manager of sustainability on the Barangaroo South project for Lend Lease. Barangaroo South is the largest development to be built in Australia since the Sydney 2000 Olympics, and hence the task of ensuring the construction is undertaken sustainably is a sizeable one. Mitchell is working towards making the development carbon neutral, water positive and zero waste. Mitchell has been able to lead her team with efficiency and skill on top of completing an MBA part time at the University of Sydney, for which she was awarded at full scholarship in 2012.
Lauren Williams
CEO, CarsGuide.com.au
Lauren Williams is the CEO at CarsGuide.com.au. She was appointed CEO less than two years ago and has managed to transform the business and disrupt the incumbent. In her very first CEO role, Williams was forced to make difficult business decisions in the interest of turning the company around financially, and she was very successful. Revenue grew 40% in her first full financial year which was recognised by Deloitte when the business placed 10th in the top 50 fastest growing companies in 2014.
EMERGING LEADER in the public sector
Jerril Rechter
Chief Executive Officer, VicHealth
Jerril Rechter spent 2014 leading VicHealth through a major restructure to position the organisation to best deliver its first ever 10-year plan, the Action Agenda for Health Promotion, and to continue to drive leadership in health promotion. The objective of the Action Agenda for Heath Promotion is to achieve real population health gains in the long-term and is underpinned by the premise that health is more than being free from disease. Consultation and collaboration with VicHealth’s team of 80 has been an important component in implementing the new strategic direction. A management team was created to share information, coordinate activity, discuss issues and serve as a vital conduit for communication back and forth between staff. Rechter has drawn on her creative background to develop a leadership style which focuses on innovation, well-being and collaboration to ensure the organisation and its culture .
Anneke Schmider
Civil Registration and Vital Statistics, World Health Organisation
Anneke Schmider has spent the past 18 months taking a lead role developing the World Health Organisation’s global agenda to improve civil registration and vital statistics for development, especially for results in women and childrens health. In partnership with the World Bank and Canada DFATD, she contributed to the first global plan for scaling up investment in CRVS development, established global targets for results, and is now working an investment program through the proposed Global Financing Facility for Women and Children. She has also built critical partnerships including global and regional networks with development partners including UNICEF and the UN Regional Commissions. Having worked previously with Queensland Treasury and the Australian Bureau of Statistics, Anneke has succesfully translated her leadership and technical skills, and especially her knowledge of the power of data in more effective policy decisions and results at a domestic level, into the regional and global context. She is passionate about the importance of generating valuable data and vital statistics to improve development policies and results, particularly in regards to health.
Linda Spurr
General Manager, Learning Academy, Airservices Australia
Linda Spurr has led a considerable reform agenda at the helm of Airservices Australia’s Learning Academy, focusing on improvement and innovation at a time of unprecedented demand, emerging workforce requirements, fiscal constraints and regulatory changes. In addition to succesfully reaccrediting as a Registered Training Organisation, under Spurr’s management the academy has yielded an increase of 62% training throughput, a 9% reduction in unit training costs, award recognition for training excellence and a 25% increase in staff engagement. In 2014 she succesfully introduced a number of initiatives to ensure the organisation can meet its future workforce requirements, improve programs and increase staff development and engagement.
EMERGING LEADER in the not-for-profit sector
Melanie Raymond
Chairman, Youth Projects Ltd
Melanie Raymond holds multiple leadership and board roles in the Not-for- sector, and has led major projects for the disadvantaged, including as chairman of Youth Projects. She has led a major campaign to raise more funds for the homeless during summer (especially to protect against extreme heat) and established new programs for homeless women – including health services and critical care, art therapy programs, job search and return to work initiatives. She is a mentor, governance advisor and role model for women in the sector, and a high profile commentator on board, youth and social justice issues.
Christina Matthews
CEO, Western Australian Cricket Association (WACA)
Christina Matthews is Australia’s most senior female cricket administrator as CEO of the WACA, a not-for-profit state sporting body. At the WACA she leads a number of employed staff, elite athletes and volunteers and has overseen a 42% increase in cricket participation in the past 12 months, as well as record sponsorship levels, and the first national title in 10 years. She’s credited with driving a creative strategy to help manage costs, and has developed major partnerships (including with the WA Football League) to access shared suppliers.
Lucy Perry
CEO, Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia (Australia) Limited
With no starting budget, Lucy Perry has developed the systems, infrastructure and small team at the Australian arm of Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia, and raised more than $6 million since launching in 2012. In the past 12 months, she’s developed an intern program, expanded the volunteer team to a combined 800 hours a month, and created a number of innovative fundraising and partnership campaigns. She’s a passionate and determined leader, with a goal to make the charity one of the best places to work in Australia.
Rural/Regional ENTREPRENEUR or MANAGER of the Year
Helen Duckham
Owner, Pipduck Australia
Helen Duckham is the owner of a fashion wholesale business called Pipduck Australia based in Port Kembla, NSW. Duckham started the ladies rainwear business in 2007 and has enjoyed continued growth year on year ever since. She expects 2015 to be her biggest year yet, especially given that in 2014 she overcame the challenge of expanding her business to the United Kingdom. The growth of her business has led to a dramatic rise in staff numbers in the past 12 months, meaning Duckham has faced many leadership challenges. She has also shown her commitment to giving back to the business community being starting The Women’s Directory, an online list of women-run business, and “How To Make Millions Importing”, a guide to entrepreneurship in Duckham’s field.
Simone Kain
Director, Hello Friday Pty Ltd
Simone Kain is the director of Hello Friday Pty Ltd, a creative agency based in the south east of South Australia. In 2014, while still servicing clients, Kain launched a unique character and App called George the Farmer, whose aim is to address future food security issues by educating children on farming practices and food and fibre production. The App has received national press coverage, been listed in the iTunes top 10 Australian and New Zealand educational apps for primary school students, and been written in to the Australian Schools Curriculum as being a valuable resource. Kain will be presenting on food security at the upcoming International Rural Women’s Conference in Adelaide and has been named one of SA’s most 20 innovative women.
Jo Scard
Principle and Founder, Fifty Acres
Jo Scard is the Principle and Founder of a communications agency called Fifty Acres. Scard founded the business four years ago in rural NSW. In that short time, the agency has grown from its original 3 clients to over 25 clients from the not-for-profit sector including Kellogg’s, SBS, The Australian Human Rights Commission and AusFilm. In that time, Scard has expanded her business from a single employee to its 8 current employees, and was also invited to be a telework partner of the Australian Federal Government. Her business’s growth has totaled 435% over four years. She is a supportive leader, encouraging her staff to engage in all kinds of career development activities and encouraging flexible work. She is also the co-author of The Working Mother’s Survival Guide.
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