Class of ’05 keeps on achieving

Women have been well represented in all of WA Business News’s annual 40under40 Awards, and the class of 2005 was no different.

Since achieving 40under40 fame last year, Caroline Ambrosini’s recruitment company, Ambrosini Professional Placements, has gone from strength to strength.

The business has moved into new St Georges Terrace premises and Ms Ambrosini has high hopes for the year ahead, saying that the business is expecting even greater growth in 2006. 

“We have continued to secure some of Western Australia’s highest profile corporates and have also participated in recruitment of eastern states-based roles for some of our key clients,” she said. 

Outside of work Ms Ambrosini joined the St John of God Comprehensive Cancer Centre Leadership Committee in October.

The group, made up of some of Western Australia’s business elite, is responsible for raising funds for a new $20 million world-class cancer facility in Perth.

Dr Anna Kluczewska’s AION Diagnostics continues to enjoy considerable growth in its area of expertise, the development of Bio Silicon for diagnostic use.

Over the past year Dr Kluczewska has taken AION from a start-up to a 20-person team with plans for 15 products in the areas of imaging and biosensors.

It’s expected the first of these products will be marketed in 2008. AION also took the step of moving its primary place of incorporation to the US.

“AION has come a long way and we believe AION has a bright future in both the US and Australia,” Dr Kluczewska said.

Josephine Jennings, owner and manager of Sands Cemmart pharmacy in Mandurah, spent much of 2005 on the public speaking circuit in WA, Queensland and Northern Territory.

After being named Telstra’s Young Business Woman in 2004 and then joining the ranks of 40under40 winners, Ms Jennings became a highly sought-after speaker, entertaining audiences ranging from Rotary clubs to forums for teenagers and business women.

She also attended a pharmaceutical conference in Munich and Prague, and returned eager to implement new strategies in her pharmacy.

On the family front, Ms Jennings gave birth to her third child.

“Going from two to three children is definitely challenging when you are trying to balance running a business, owner building a house and keeping your family happy,” she said.

Linda Wilson (nee Mauger), executive director of Australian Wild-life Conservancy, said that the past 12 months had been busy and successful.

AWC made many notable achievements, including its first national conference, which was held at Karakamia Sanctuary in Perth, where Ms Wilson was the chief organiser.

“It was an outstanding success, with all involved excited about the future prospects for AWC,” she said.

AWC bought its 14th sanctuary late in 2005 with another currently being finalised, and the AWC-owned Mornington Wilderness Camp, in WA’s Kimberley region, also enjoyed a successful year.

Ms Wilson represented AWC and Mornington Wilderness Camp at Australian Tourism Exchange 05 and generated substantial international interest in the camp as a tourist destination.

Married in October, she is currently training to compete in her first triathlon, as well as training for her brown belt in karate.

KD Johns & Co co-owner and director Martina Crowley used 2005 to make some adjustments to her work-life balance.

She made the decision to work from home on Fridays and also increased her stake in the boutique tax and business advisory firm business by 25 per cent.

Ms Crowley’s commitment to the community remains strong and she was appointed to the board of the National Association for the Prevention and Cruelty to Children. 

Maryanne Kelly took a significant career step, moving from Robe River to take on the role of manager of production at Argyle Mining in April.

She said the position was the most challenging and exciting she has had.

It requires her to mix the geo-complexity of the mine site with the strategic planning and people issues that present as the operation downsizes from an open-pit mine to an underground mine in three years’ time.

The job is based in Kununurra and Ms Kelly is looking to get involved in the local community, possibly as an ambulance driver.

Joanne Salim, director of telecommunication carrier Global Dial, enjoyed an active 2005 and looks sets for an even fuller 2006.

On the back of renewed optimism in the IT industry, Global Dial was well placed to benefit from further growth, she said. The company has introduced a 50 per cent bonus on its pre-paid long distance phone cards, which has attracted significant retail interest, and is soon to introduce a 3G service to provide more content for users.

Ms Salim is also part of a new venture, an on-line encyclopedia for parents covering all issues from con-ception to managing teenagers, which is due to launch in February or March.

Away from business, she has just put the finishing touches on an investment project – a five-unit residential property development in South Yarra in Melbourne.

 ANNA KLUCZEWSKA

•           Managing director of AION Diagnostics, focusing on the development of Bio Silicon for diagnostic use.

•           Grown from a fledgling start-up to a 20-person team with plans for 15 products in the areas of imaging and biosensors.

JOSEPHINE JENNINGS

•           Owner and manager of Sands Cemmart pharmacy in Mandurah.

•           Sought-after public speaker in 2005, speaking to Rotary clubs and forums for teenagers and business women, among other groups.

MARYANNE KELLY

•           Moved from Robe River to take on senior role as the manager of production at Argyle Mining in April.

•           Involved in issues concerning the geo-complexity of the mine site, strategic planning and the workforce.