Western Australia will be aiming for a hat-trick as 19 state finalists, including iron ore heiress Gina Rinehart and Challenger Tafe chief Liz Harris, are revealed in this year's Telstra Australian business women of the year.
Western Australia will be aiming for a hat-trick as 19 state finalists, including iron ore heiress Gina Rinehart and Challenger Tafe chief Liz Harris, are revealed in this year's Telstra Australian business women of the year.
"We have received entries of an exceptionally high standard this year and these finalists represent some truly inspirational and talented West Australian business women," Telstra Business Women's Awards Ambassador Holly Kramer said.
"This year has been exceptionally challenging for Australia's business community. West Australian business women have faced these challenges with tenacity and a positive approach across their diverse range of industries," Ms Kramer said.
WA has taken out the top award for the past two years with Pacco Group managing director Leanne Wesche winning in 2008 and Wild Child founder Leanne Preston taking the top gong in 2007.
All 19 WA finalists are in the running to win the state Telstra Business Women's Award in their category and the overall WA Business Women of the Year, to be announced on October 8.
All state category winners will then be judged for the Australian business women of the year award.
The WA finalists are below:
Commonwealth Bank Business Owner Award
Georgina Rinehart; West Perth; Hancock Prospecting Pty Ltd
Georgina is Chairman of Hancock Prospecting, an exploration and mining company founded in 1955 by her father, Lang Hancock. She took over the business in 1992 turning the company, then in difficulties, into a mining enterprise which is now the 4th largest exporter of iron ore in Australia, and is progressing further major iron ore projects.
Terri Billington; South Perth; ActionCOACH
With 30 years' experience, Terri Billington's hopes to inspire other business coaches around the world to achieve their success. With a book to be published in October, workshops scheduled in Perth and Melbourne later this year and a global tour planned for the next twelve months, Terri is well on her way to achieving her dreams.
Paula Anderson; Iluka; Duncraig Beauty Centre
Five years ago Paula Anderson purchased Duncraig Beauty, a small rundown beauty salon. Under Paula's guidance, turnover has increased by 500 per cent and she now employs seven therapists at the rebranded Duncraig Beauty Centre Medispa. In 2008, Paula established an online store selling beauty and skincare products to customers around Australia.
April Jorgensen; Subiaco; Australasian Academy of Cosmetic Dermal Science
April is Managing Director of the Australasian Academy of Cosmetic Dermal Science, a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) delivering postgraduate vocational education in the new field of dermal therapies. In 2005 April launched the business with 20 students. In 2007 the business went online and existing student enrolments doubled within the first month. April now delivers online education to more than 200 students across Australia and internationally.
Kellie Hill; Perth; Kellie Hill Consulting
As Managing Director of Kellie Hill Consulting (KHC), Kellie works closely with her clients in the exploration, mining and infrastructure sector while also preserving and maintaining local Aboriginal heritage. Seven years after starting the business in her spare room in 2002, KHC employs three FTEs and works with more than 20 local and multinational companies on various projects across all regions of Western Australia, Northern Territory and Queensland.
Hudson Private and Corporate Sector Award
Judy Anderson; Perth; Bell Recruitment Group
Judy Anderson moved to Perth in 1996 to establish Bell Recruitment which is now a member of Total Recruitment Group, one of Australia's largest privately owned recruitment companies. Judy is currently Executive Manager for WA and the driving force behind building Bell's reputation for delivering tailored staff recruitment and retention strategies for Bell's clients.
Deborah Ambrosini; North Perth; Grandbridge Ltd.
Deborah Ambrosini is CFO/Company Secretary of nine entities and a director of five, spanning the biotechnology, investment advisory and oil and gas industries. As CFO/Company Secretary Deborah controls all financial and regulatory aspects and is responsible for contract negotiations, strategic review and the overall direction of each business.
Donna Wilding; Clarkson; Century 21 Gold Key Realty
Donna Wilding is Managing Director, Licensee and owner of Century 21 Gold Key Realty in Clarkson, West Australia. Donna has built all facets of her real estate business to have one of the largest portfolios within the northern coastal corridor of Western Australia while winning many prestigious awards in Property Management, Sales and outstanding Client Service.
Lisa Shreeve; Busselton; South West Coach Lines
Lisa Shreeve took over the management of a family run business in 2008. As General Manager of Veolia Transport West Australia (VTWA) Lisa aims to build the business into the biggest and best bus company in regional WA. Lisa Shreeve is the only female GM at Veolia Transport in Australia.
Vanessa Torres; Perth; BHP Billiton - Nickel West
Originally a process engineer in Brazil in the 1990's, Vanessa Torres migrated to Australia in 2007 and joined BHP Billiton, the world's third major nickel producer. Now the Vice President of Business Development and Projects at BHP Billiton Nickel West, her proudest career achievement to date was playing a key role in the development of her former employer's nickel business through a greenfields and acquisition strategy.
White Pages Community and Government Award
Chris Hanna; Subiaco; St John of God Hospital Subiaco
As Director of Nursing and Midwifery at St John of God Hospital Subiaco, Chris Hanna leads a team that plays a critical role in the care of thousands of people every year. Chris leads the Nursing and Midwifery Directorates, supporting her teams to deliver distinctive and compassionate patient care.
Susan McCarrey; Perth Business Centre; Public Transport Authority of WA
Susan McCarrey is Executive Director Safety and Strategic Development at the Public Transport Authority (PTA), Western Australia. Sue is responsible for PTA's strategic planning, business management and business improvement, policy development and a highly regulated health safety and environment management system. She also leads a number of high level Government freight rail projects and represents WA in national government policy on regulation related to rail safety.
Jessica Machin; Mount Pleasant; Country Arts WA
Jessica Machin is the CEO of Country Arts WA, an independent not-for-profit organisation bringing culture and the arts to regional communities across WA. Jessica aims to use the arts to build a better quality of life, to assist communities to face challenges, see new perspectives and build humming creative hubs.
Tracey Horton; Crawley; University of Western Australia Business School
Tracey Horton, Dean of the Business School at the University of Western Australia, has successfully led the restructure of two schools into an integrated faculty, completed a $25 million fundraising campaign and overseen the production of a state-of-the-art Business School building. Tracey's goals are to provide greater educational opportunities to less advantaged sectors of the Australian community.
Liz Harris; Fremantle; Challenger TAFE
Liz Harris is the first female managing director of Challenger TAFE, WA's most diverse training provider offering over 400 courses to 26,000 students. Under her leadership, Challenger has adapted to the changing demands of the economic environment, increased its national and international standing and has become one of only six large training providers to receive Gold accreditation against the Australian Quality Training Framework business excellence criteria.
Tenille Bentley; Scarborough; The Global Good Foundation
In 2007 Tenille Bentley founded The Global Good Foundation, a charity focused on building education centres around Australia to assist with rehabilitating people impacted by domestic violence. Tenille also set up a national scholarship program to allow one person affected by domestic violence per month to win a scholarship for GGF training sessions, a unique form of self-development focusing on the core issue of long term rehabilitation.
Nokia Business Innovation Award
April Jorgensen; Subiaco; Australasian Academy of Cosmetic Dermal Science
April is the Managing Director of the Australasian Academy of Cosmetic Dermal Science, a Registered Training Organisation delivering postgraduate vocational education in the new field of dermal therapies. In 2004, April commenced writing an Advanced Diploma curriculum, which builds theoretical and practical competencies in cosmetic treatments such as intense pulsed light, laser and chemical peeling.
Aimee Gullotto; Yokine; Sweax International
At just 27 years old, Aimee Gullotto is the creator and Sales & Marketing Director of Sweax™ Underarm Liners, self-adhesive, disposable liners which eliminate sweat stains and protects against associated odours and deodorant marks. Currently distributed nationally, Sweax is growing internationally with distribution agreements signed for the UK, Europe, Asia and North America.
marie claire Young Business Women's Award
Yvette Manolas; Perth; Woodside Energy Ltd.
At 28, Yvette Manolas is a Senior Engineer at Woodside Energy, Australia's largest publicly traded oil and gas exploration and production company. One of only four recognised global Perforating (explosive) Subject Matter Experts, she also recently developed a software package now used by major oil and gas companies around the world.
April Jorgensen; Subiaco; Australasian Academy of Cosmetic Dermal Science
At 32 years old, April Jorgensen runs a successful business delivering vocational education in the new field of dermal therapies. Two years after writing an Advanced Diploma curriculum, Managing Director April took the business online and aims to position the business as a benchmark for education in cosmetic nursing and dermal therapies internationally.
Jade Lewis; Carlisle North; Jade Lewis and Friends
Jade Lewis started her business in 2004 to build drug free communities throughout Australia. Jade overcame a heroin addiction in 1999 and continues to have a strong desire to reach all Australians with this powerful and life changing message. Jade Lewis & Friends works to educate Australian schools, businesses, communities, young people and their families about youth drug and alcohol issues, providing prevention, intervention and recovery strategies.
