Specialising in clinical palliative care research, Professor Kristjanson has received more than $30 million in competitive research funding. Between 2000 and 2006 she was active in developing centres of excellence across a range of disciplines (medicine, engineering and computer science), becoming recognised for her entrepreneurial work in health and science.

She has been a board member of many high profile scientific and health committees including the National Health and Medical Research Council in Australia. As Vice-Chancellor and President of Swinburne University of Technology she leads an organisation with an operating budget of $500 million, nearly 3,000 staff, and over 60,000 students located across five campuses in Melbourne and one in Sarawak, Malaysia.

As Managing Director of Julia Ross Recruitment, Julia Ross oversees the administration and operational management of a business that has 14 branches in Australia and one in London. In 2000, the company became the largest female-owned business and the largest single-owner business ever to list on the Australian Stock Exchange. Julia Ross Recruitment has a turnover of $160 million per annum.

Sally Evans is Corporate Development Director for Eurest, the country's largest dedicated food service company. Her role takes her to many countries within the Asia Pacific region, developing new healthcare and aged care accounts for Eurest, these include retirement villages, nursing homes and hospitals.

Specialising in clinical palliative care research, Professor Kristjanson has received more than $30 million in competitive research funding. Between 2000 and 2006 she was active in developing centres of excellence across a range of disciplines (medicine, engineering and computer science), becoming recognised for her entrepreneurial work in health and science.

She has been a board member of many high profile scientific and health committees including the National Health and Medical Research Council in Australia. As Vice-Chancellor and President of Swinburne University of Technology she leads an organisation with an operating budget of $500 million, nearly 3,000 staff, and over 60,000 students located across five campuses in Melbourne and one in Sarawak, Malaysia.

At age 21, Kirsty Dunphey launched her own real estate business, becoming the youngest licensed real estate manager and owner in Tasmania. In just 18 months, M&M Real Estate has sold close to $20 million in real estate and the company continues to flourish in the Launceston property market. Kirsty was one of three finalists for this year's Young Australian of the Year Award.