Past Award Winners - 2008 NSW
2008 Telstra New South Wales Business Woman of the Year
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Rachel Argaman
Chief Executive Officer of Toga Hospitality Group
Ultimo
Rachel Argaman is Chief Executive Officer of Toga Hospitality Group, an Australian-owned hotel group which is currently expanding internationally. Toga Hospitality Group manages 46 hotels across Australia, Europe and New Zealand and comprises four brands, including Medina Apartment Hotels, Adina Apartment Hotels, Vibe Hotels and Travelodge Hotels. With more than 16 years experience in the travel and tourism industry, Rachel's main responsibility is to optimise the profitability and performance of Toga Hospitality Group in all markets. Rachel leads a management team of eight, and oversees and works to deliver the company's future strategic growth strategy.
Winner of the Hudson Private and Corporate Sector Award
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Rachel Argaman
Chief Executive Officer of Toga Hospitality Group
Ultimo
Rachel Argaman is Chief Executive Officer of Toga Hospitality Group, an Australian-owned hotel group which is currently expanding internationally. Toga Hospitality Group manages 46 hotels across Australia, Europe and New Zealand and comprises four brands, including Medina Apartment Hotels, Adina Apartment Hotels, Vibe Hotels and Travelodge Hotels. With more than 16 years experience in the travel and tourism industry, Rachel's main responsibility is to optimise the profitability and performance of Toga Hospitality Group in all markets. Rachel leads a management team of eight, and oversees and works to deliver the company's future strategic growth strategy.
Winner of the Yellow® Business Owner Award
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Naomi Simson
Founder and Chief Experience Officer of RedBalloon Days
Pyrmont
Naomi Simson is Founder and Chief Experience Officer of RedBalloon Days, an online gift retailer where people can purchase unique experiences in Australia and New Zealand. Naomi began the business at home in 2001 and the business has grown since then to a team of 43 staff. In 2001, the company offered 50 experiences – it now offers more than 2,200 across Australia and New Zealand. Naomi has been instrumental in developing the GoDo.com.au portal, a real time online booking service offering 1,800 different activities or experiences to corporate and private customers. The portal allows activity operators to update their availability in real time and have it published on more than 50 travel websites.
Winner of the Nokia Business Innovation Award
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Naomi Simson
Founder and Chief Experience Officer of RedBalloon Days
Pyrmont
Naomi Simson is Founder and Chief Experience Officer of RedBalloon Days, an online gift retailer where people can purchase unique experiences in Australia and New Zealand. Naomi began the business at home in 2001 and the business has grown since then to a team of 43 staff. In 2001, the company offered 50 experiences – it now offers more than 2,200 across Australia and New Zealand. Naomi has been instrumental in developing the GoDo.com.au portal, a real time online booking service offering 1,800 different activities or experiences to corporate and private customers. The portal allows activity operators to update their availability in real time and have it published on more than 50 travel websites.
Winner of the IBM Community and Government Award
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Detective Superintendent Helen Begg
Local Area Commander St George of the New South Wales Police Force
St George
Detective Superintendent Helen Begg is the Local Area Commander of St George for the New South Wales Police. Until recently, Helen was Commander of the New South Wales Police Child Protection and Sex Crimes Squad. Helen's role involved managing investigations, staffing, finances and operations of the team which service the community across six portfolios in New South Wales, with 190 staff located across 23 locations. In addition to leading the operational and investigative activities of the squad, Helen was the principle strategist and police advisor on all aspects of policing for child protection and the redress of serious sexual assaults.
Winner of the PricewaterhouseCoopers Young Business Women's Award
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Nyree Corby
Founder and Chief Executive Officer of The Topia Project
Chippendale
Nyree Corby is Chief Executive Officer and founder of The Topia Project, a Chippendale-based marketing communications agency providing new world advertising strategies and services to clients on a state, national and international level. Nyree's primary responsibilities include defining and implementing the strategic vision of the business, managing marketing strategy and building her team, as well as securing new business development. The Topia Project currently employs 28 full time staff and has more than 40 national clients throughout Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and internationally.