Finalists

In 2009, Leah Brown purchased her partner’s share of the Insite Injury Management Group, a consultancy that helps injured people return to the workplace. As Managing Director and Principal, Leah is responsible for 47 staff. Leah has increased both staff and company turnover by more than 100 per cent and forged an award-winning reputation in the rehabilitation and injury management industry. Leah has created a structured succession plan for every position from entry level administration through to her own, ensuring business continuity and growth, but also the retention of staff. The company’s goal is to ensure that rehabilitation recommendations are specific to an individual workplace and client needs. Insite consistently achieves return to work rates 20 per cent greater than the industry average. Leah aims for the business to lower the cost to compensation schemes and more importantly the psychosocial cost to the injured worker.

Kris Lloyd took over Woodside Cheese Wrights in 1999. Not having a cheese making background, she first focused on the business fundamentals before turning her hand to learning the craft. As Woodside Cheese Wrights manager and head cheesemaker Kris is responsible for the sales, marketing, PR, business strategy and planning, training and staff development. In 2002, she established Cheese SA, an incorporated body to raise the awareness of the specialty cheese industry and be the voice of the local industry promoting training and up-skilling. Kris is also the founder and Director of CheeseFest, an annual event to promote the industry. Woodside Cheese Wrights has won numerous cheese awards throughout Australia, including the Grand Dairy Award, and is a four-time winner of the South Australian Premiers Food Award. Kris is the only Australian to win gold at the 2008 World Cheese Awards, with her mixed milk cheese.

After 10 years working within Murray F. Young & Associates (MFY), Melissa Mellen decided to buy the business. MFY is a consulting traffic engineering firm providing professional traffic, transport and parking advice to private and government clients. When Melissa purchased the business in 2003, she became sole Director. Since taking over, Melissa has grown the business from four to 10 permanent employees and increased the number of projects by 33 per cent. Her firm has expanded its interstate project base, now providing traffic advice in all Australian States and opening an office in the Northern Territory. Starting as a Senior Traffic Engineer, Melissa moved into an Associate role before becoming sole Director. Prior to working with MFY, Melissa was a Traffic Engineer with Mitcham City Council. An accredited senior road safety auditor and a Chartered Professional Engineer, Melissa has an honours degree in Civil Engineering.

Recognising a gap in the market and wanting to help companies release safe and effective cosmetics and complementary medicine products drove Belinda Pilmore to found the Institute of Personal Care Science. Belinda says her business is now the only registered organisation providing training specific to the Australian cosmetics and complementary medicines sectors. Through the Institute, Belinda takes apart myths relating to cosmetics and complementary medicines through education and training. Her organisation provides diploma level training in cosmetic science and personal care development, along with global consultancy services to companies working in the sector. Belinda takes products from concept to launch, working in formulation, product development, manufacturing partnering, marketing, and regulatory issues in both Australia and overseas. Prior to starting the Institute, Belinda worked as a naturopath in her own clinic before moving into a regulatory and R & D role with an international company formulating cosmetics, vitamins and herbal supplements.

Karen Raymond decided to put her seven years in marketing, event management and business administration into use closer to home in 2001 when she went to work in Atlas Chem-Dry, the business she and her husband acquired the year before. Karen is co-owner of the award-winning carpet, tile and upholstery cleaning franchise business. Karen established a series of systems to train and manage employees, and in the process the business has expanded from one to 13 people. Between 2005 and 2008, Karen and husband Paul purchased other franchisees’ businesses, growing their own customer-base exponentially. As SA State Representative to Chem-Dry franchisees, Karen runs interstate workshops and is pushing for more professional development within the network to ensure consistency in standards and self-regulation of the carpet cleaning industry. Outside of Chem-Dry, Karen is embarking on a writing career and is currently researching and writing a book about her late grandfather, a well-known equestrian photographer.

Twenty years experience as an occupational health and musculoskeletal physiotherapist in the UK, Canada and Australia gave Cassandra Zaina her professional grounding when she founded Prevent. A masters level, multidisciplinary physiotherapy practice, Prevent looks not only to eliminate immediate pain but to develop ways in which patients can foster long-term wellness. Following her proactive rather than reactive philosophy, Cassandra is developing an online program called HandsUp for primary school aged children. The interactive game-like program is designed to encourage screen-dependent youngsters to adopt good postural habits in the years 3-5, with the aim of preventing a lifetime of recurring pain. Cassandra's focus on health has led her to strongly support the National Breast Cancer Foundation and Leukemia Foundation through active fundraising. Cassandra was awarded the title of APA Occupational Health Physiotherapist Master in 2005. Before founding Prevent, Cassandra was a physiotherapy manager for the Millennium circus troupe in London.

It was a homecoming when self-described bush girl Jill Coombe became Manager of Bridge Clinic Medical Centre at Murray Bridge, one of the largest private general practices in Australia. Jill spent nine years in the SA Public Service before returning to Murray Bridge, where she had previously worked in a laboratory. With 46 staff reporting to her, Jill has streamlined processes and co-ordinates flexible working arrangements. Bridge Clinic Medical Centre won the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners’ National General Practice of the Year Award in 2005. Funding secured through the award has contributed to the employment of staff for on-site mental health clinics. Prior to working with Bridge Clinic, Jill was the Emergency Management Project Officer at Kosovar Safe Haven. Her role was to source welfare and community activities for refugees from the Kosovo War hosted in Adelaide, helping them experience safe day-to-day living away from the ravages of conflict.

Peta Mantzarapis was 21 when she joined valuation and land access services company Maloney Field Services as an Assistant Valuer. In 2004 she was involved in a management buyout, allowing her to become a part-owner and take greater control of Maloney’s direction. In 2008, she accepted the position of Managing Director and has since grown Maloney’s turnover from $2 million to $8.5 million. Peta is responsible for 50 staff throughout Australia and played an integral role in expanding Maloney’s valuation division to enable the acquisition of another firm in early 2010. That has expanded Maloney’s largely government valuation client base into the corporate sector. Peta has helped secure business with companies operating projects for long distance oil and gas pipelines, electricity transmission lines, railways, highways and water pipelines. Her aim is for Maloney to be regarded as a "first-choice" supplier in land access and valuation.

Dorothy Belperio has spent most of her career working in the South Australian not-for-profit sector in areas like homelessness, family support, domestic violence, and youth services. It was her concern about the lack of mental health support, especially for young people that inspired her to become General Manager SA for Mind Australia in 2006. Mind Australia (SA) is one of the State’s leading community mental health providers. In four years, Dorothy has grown it from eight staff, one office and a budget of $900,000 to 70 staff, seven offices and a budget of $6.2 million. Mind Australia (SA) now provides more than 70,000 hours of annual support to almost 600 people with a mental illness. The service now operates throughout metropolitan Adelaide, the Clare Valley and Barossa regions and in the Lower South East Country (Mt Gambier). Dorothy campaigns for a community support model of mental healthcare.

Anne Ellis had worked in executive assistant and event management roles for big corporations like MLC and Caltex Oil, but community development and volunteer management was where her heart was. In 2008, Anne moved into Adelaide Hills Council as Coordinator, later assuming the role of Team Leader Community Development. As part of the Community Services Department, Anne is responsible for the day-to-day running of programs and services, controlling a core budget of $130,000. Since taking over the Torrens Valley Community Centre (TVCC) in rural Gumeracha, her volunteer team has grown from 10 to more than 70. TVCC now runs school holiday programs, a community shed, opportunity shop, bus and, more recently, has started building a garden. The TVCC’s success has led to Council asking Anne to apply the model to run another community centre in Norton Summit. Anne spends time with all of her volunteers, aiming to help each improve their own lives.

A desire to see safe high quality health care inspired Debbie Kralik to become a nurse – the work she’s done since, as General Manager of Strategy and Research at the Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS) has encouraged countless others. RDNS is a key provider in SA of community nursing services for post-acute, palliative, chronic health, homeless and HIV-AIDS patient care, attracting annual funding of $40 million. Debbie undertakes research on improving the health and wellbeing of people living in the community with debilitating chronic or incurable illness. Additionally, Debbie is a professor at the Flinders University and Senior Editor of the Journal of Advanced Nursing. Under her leadership the publication has become one of the most widely read nursing journals in the world. In 2007 Debbie developed a community care program for older people to keep them in their own homes and out of hospital. The result was a 51 per cent reduction in hospitalisation.

Two decades of running restaurants and catering businesses in Adelaide gave Sally Neville broad experience in hospitality. It has stood her in good stead in her role as CEO of Restaurant & Catering SA, the peak body for the sector. Since assuming her role, Sally has grown membership by 500 percent and increased its annual income from $100,000 to $470,000. In 2009, Sally contributed to changes to the SA Food Donors Act, removing liability from businesses that donate unused but safe food to charities. Sally has also been instrumental in developing industry development programs like Chefs in the City, where young apprentices work with successful chefs to learn a new cultural cuisine style. Sally also coordinated a business mentoring program, to identify skill gaps for operators in a group situation and identify areas for development. Sally has an Advanced Diploma in Hospitality Management and is a Certified Professional Restaurateur.

In 2001, Madge McGuire took up the position as Director of Catherine House, an organisation that aims to solve women's homelessness particularly through access to education, accommodation and employment. In 2004, Madge raised $500,000 through a range of events by climbing to Mt. Everest Base Camp in the Himalayas for a new program that has placed almost 100 women into jobs, training or university in 18 months. She is also is the process of launching WorkNext, a fee-for-service job placement service that places women who have experienced social and economic disadvantage into long-lasting jobs. Prior to her work with the Catherine House, Madge was Senior Executive of the Catholic Archdiocese of Adelaide and was the first lay woman worldwide to be appointed to a governance role in the Catholic Church. Madge is on the board of the SA Network of Drug & Alcohol Services, Common Ground Adelaide and a member of the Executive of the Homelessness Services Reform Group and the Homelessness Services Advisory Group.

Tanya Monro is a recognised leader of the international scientific community who has been responsible for breakthroughs in optical fibre research. In 2005 she founded the Centre of Expertise in Photonics as a collaborative venture between the University of Adelaide and DSTO, and the success of this centre led to the creation of the Institute for Photonics & Advanced Sensing (IPAS), which brings together 130 physicists, chemists and biologists to tackle the big questions in sensing technologies. As Director of IPAS, Tanya has raised more than $65 million in research funding and has driven 11 patent applications, all taking fibre beyond communications. She has received national and international awards, including recognition as the 2010 South Australian Scientist of the Year, and been published more than 300 times. Tanya is active on State and Federal Government and local boards and review panels, including Australian Research Council panels, the Federal Future Manufacturing Industry Innovation Council and the SA Premier's Science Research Council.

Leah Brown is Managing Director and Principal of Insite Injury Management Group, a consultancy that gets injured people back into the workplace. Insite’s goal is to ensure that rehabilitation recommendations are specific to an individual workplace and client needs. Insite has a unique approach, using psychosocial profiling to assist in initial rehabilitation assessment. The profiling predicts how an individual will react to pressure and stress, taking into consideration physical, cultural and psychosocial diversities. The company works with injured workers and their employers so that they all understand their roles. Managing 47 staff, Leah is responsible for quality assurance. Over the last two years, Leah has increased both staff and company turnover by more than 100 per cent. Leah’s vision is to expand Insite nationally over the next five years. Prior to founding Insite Leah was involved in successful businesses in the homecare and ladies fashion sectors.

A self-taught cheesemaker, Kris Lloyd took over Woodside Cheese Wrights in 1999. Recognising the importance of staying fresh as new players entered the market, Kris travelled to Europe to attend workshops, competitions and visit individual cheesemakers, using what she learned to produce numerous award-winning cheeses. Kris has pioneered a range of seasonal cheeses, with innovative packaging and presentation like vine leaves and organic flowers, to take advantage of variations in milk supply. Knowing that learning her craft is costly and aware there was a skills shortage in South Australia, she formed Cheese SA, an incorporated peak body that raises awareness for her industry. She established a cheesemaking training course through TAFE, and is the founder of the Cheesemaker in Residence Program, which brings international cheesemakers to South Australia to impart their skills locally. Kris is a Board member of the Dairy Industry Development Board and The Premiers Food Council.

A desire to debunk myths about the safety of cosmetics and promote the science behind the beauty industry propelled Belinda Pilmore to create her online training company. Since starting the Institute of Personal Care Science four years ago, Belinda has developed training courses to build skills and knowledge within the cosmetics and complementary medicines industries, and to attract new talent. Working with the Department of Education in Queensland, Belinda developed a diploma curriculum, including training and assessment materials, as well as policies and procedures that manage online training and registration. Offering courses globally has allowed Belinda to expand into new markets, meaning greater student numbers and producing a highly sustainable market offering. In addition to training, the business offers global consultancy services to improve market access. Belinda now takes products from concept to launch, helping them with all aspects related to cosmetics, complementary medicines and wholistic foods.

At the age of 31, Desiree De Brenni is responsible for a sales budget exceeding one million dollars, in addition to managing three markets for national gift retailer Edible Blooms. Desiree started her career in floristry at 19 years of age, believing it to be a perfect match for her creative flair and customer service skills. After seven successful years in senior florist roles, she opted for the new challenge of working for the expanding Edible Blooms chain as its SA Store Manager. Edible Blooms offered a twist on traditional florists and a company structure with growth opportunities. In addition to managing the territories of WA, SA and NT, Desiree handles Edible Blooms national relationship with Australian Air Express, a link that is crucial to the wider business’ success. She is also National Training Manager and manages product designs for national sales channel partners who require customised products. Desiree is an award-winning florist with numerous national awards.

Cara Kirsten’s passion for medicine began at an early age, joining the St John’s Ambulance cadets as an 11-year-old. Twenty-four-years later, Cara is Director and Business Manager of Sound Diagnostic Radiology, a private radiology practice offering a comprehensive range of imaging services with a special interest in women’s health imaging providing infertility, obstetric and gynaecological scans. Ten years experience as a radiographer and sonographer mainly in public hospital environments have stood Cara in good stead. She was working full-time when she completed her post-graduate qualifications in medical sonography and has since added the Australian Institute of Company Directors course to her curriculum vitae. Cara is also planning on expanding her education into law, having recently enrolled in RMIT. Cara, an ex-president of the Australian Sonographers Association, was the team leader in ultrasound at Women’s and Children’s Hospital and currently serves on the board for not-for-profit disability services organisation Life’s for Living Inc. that provides support to disabled adults living in the community.

At 32 years of age, Peta Mantzarapis is part-owner and Managing Director of Maloney Field Services, a valuation and land access services company. Peta was fresh out of university when she started with Maloney as an Assistant Valuer. Moving up the ranks, she became a part-owner at 26 and Managing Director at 30. Aiming to make Maloney a "first-choice" supplier in land access and valuation in Australia, Peta has expanded its reach nationally and its client base includes companies providing long distance oil and gas pipelines, electricity transmission lines, railways, highways and water pipelines. Peta’s academic qualifications started with a Bachelor of Business in Property (Valuation), where she earned a place on the Dean’s Merit list three times and she is undertaking the Foundations of Directorship with the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Peta is passionate about a children’s clothing range she has developed with her sister.

Realising there was a gap in the Australian market for accredited professional courses in natural supplements and personal care products motivated Belinda to create her own. At 33 years of age, Belinda is Director and owner of the Institute of Personal Care Science, which she markets as the only registered training organisation providing diploma level training specific to cosmetics and complementary medicines. As well as being an educator to the sector, Belinda consults to companies wanting to enter or expand share in Australian and overseas markets. With a goal of ensuring the right message about cosmetics and complementary medicines reaches to a wide audience through promotion of science, Belinda aims to become the leading regulatory consultancy and formulation house in Australia. Belinda is well-qualified to achieve her goal – she has completed a Bachelor of Natural Therapies, Diploma of Cosmetic Science and Certificate IV in Training and Assessment.

At age 32, Kirsty Drew is the Executive Manager of the Family Outreach Services Unit, within Centacare Catholic Family Services, a non-profit organisation, providing counseling, education, training and housing to individuals, couples, families and communities. Since taking on the role in 2008 Kirsty has won contracts resulting in more than $2 million of business per year for the organisation. Their Stronger Families Safer Children program represents the biggest injection of funding to the non-government sector in SA in the area of child protection. Kirsty has also created a Centacare Leadership group, providing an educational and supportive forum for staff considering moving into senior positions. Kirsty is also working on the Fatherhood Inclusion Project, which brings together representatives from government and non-government agencies to look at ways to involve and support fathers. Prior to working with Centacare, Kirsty was a social worker within the then Children Youth and Family Services, the statutory child protection agency for SA.

Rachel Gibson went into teaching to round out her research skills. That experience led her to change her career path to become an academic. At 33, Rachel is a senior lecturer with the University of Adelaide’s Faculty of Health Sciences. As part of her research leadership role, Rachel manages grants in excess of $100,000 and the focus of her work over the last decade has been side effects of chemotherapy. In 2009, Rachel attracted research funding to investigate mechanisms of chemotherapy-induced diarrhoea. This success led her to establish her own research laboratory, the Gut Microbiome Laboratory within the School of Medical Sciences. Highly regarded in her field of specialty, Gastrointestinal Mucositis, Rachel has been widely published in peer-reviewed journals and has presented papers to local, national and international scientific meetings. After completing her PhD in 2004, Rachel was awarded a Cancer Council South Australia Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship in Supportive Care in Cancer.