Award Winners

2010 ACT Award Winners

Book

Telstra Australian Capital Territory Business Woman of the Year

Kate Sykes

CareerMums, Mawson

An entrepreneurial background in marketing and business development with both an IT start-up in Boston and the Australian Stock Exchange led Kate Sykes to establish her own business venture in 2006. Moving from Sydney to Canberra, she launched www.careermums.com.au a national jobs board and careers centre for working parents. The site also provides employers with a pool of specialist working parents typically aged between 30 and 50. As sole employee Kate is responsible for customer service and supplier relationships, online marketing and development of website content, strategic planning and public relations. She is supported by an IT service provider and by her husband, a certified practicing accountant. Kate believes CareerMums will increase in relevance for Australian businesses as the Australian population ages, skills shortages increase in many sectors and paid parental leave is extended. Kate chairs the Canberra Business Council’s Workstyles Committee which promotes flexible workplace practices in the ACT.

“We have positioned ourselves as working parents specialists – workplaces are increasingly focusing on retention strategies and programs to support parents returning to the workforce.” – Kate Sykes
Book

Commonwealth Bank Business Owner Award

Kate Sykes

CareerMums, Mawson

An entrepreneurial background in marketing and business development with both an IT start-up in Boston and the Australian Stock Exchange led Kate Sykes to establish her own business venture in 2006. Moving from Sydney to Canberra, she launched www.careermums.com.au a national jobs board and careers centre for working parents. The site also provides employers with a pool of specialist working parents typically aged between 30 and 50. As sole employee Kate is responsible for customer service and supplier relationships, online marketing and development of website content, strategic planning and public relations. She is supported by an IT service provider and by her husband, a certified practicing accountant. Kate believes CareerMums will increase in relevance for Australian businesses as the Australian population ages, skills shortages increase in many sectors and paid parental leave is extended. Kate chairs the Canberra Business Council’s Workstyles Committee which promotes flexible workplace practices in the ACT.

“We have positioned ourselves as working parents specialists – workplaces are increasingly focusing on retention strategies and programs to support parents returning to the workforce.” – Kate Sykes
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Hudson Private and Corporate Sector Award

Carol Sawyer

Canberra Southern Cross Club, Waramanga

Since 2006, Carol Sawyer has been General Manager of the 84,000-member Canberra Southern Cross Club, a business with a $48 million turnover. She was previously CFO for 12 years during a period of intense growth for the not-for-profit social club. As General Manager, Carol has nine staff directly reporting to her and is responsible for more than 200 staff. Working directly with the CEO and Board, Carol provides leadership, direction and measurement of business outcomes across all segments of the club from marketing and IT to human resources and accounting. In 2009 she introduced a “small appetite” meal option that proved immensely popular with the club’s senior diners and increased revenue. Carol implemented a loyalty and rewards program, which tripled member participation. One of her most significant achievements was raising the club’s environmental awareness – 16 energy-saving opportunities and two waste reduction initiatives were introduced in the past year.

“I enjoy the diversity of the hospitality industry, the challenge of knowing no two days are the same, the responsibility of ensuring that members enjoy what we have to offer and the fact that we employ so many local people” – Carol Sawyer.
Book

White Pages Community and Government Award

Catherine Carter

Property Council of Australia, Canberra

As ACT executive director of the Property Council of Australia, Catherine Carter has a dual advocacy role to both the ACT and Federal Governments on Canberra-related property issues. Catherine’s effective leadership of the not-for-profit organisation in the past five years has driven an increase in member companies from 112 to 172 and doubled revenue streams. Catherine is employed as a lobbyist and general manager, responsible for policy, advocacy and government relations as well as commercial activities and budgets. Property Council members include commercial, industrial and residential property developers, environmental consultants, architects, engineers and planners. As the public face of the Property Council, Catherine has advocated the council’s view on building forms and environmental sustainability, the need for long-term planning and a vision for the nation’s capital. Directly supervising three staff in Canberra, Catherine works closely with colleagues in the Property Council’s 100-person national team through internal committees and working groups.

“I work extremely closely with Canberra’s property industry professionals – I rely heavily on their expert advice to formulate and promote advocacy priorities” - Catherine Carter.
Book

Nokia Business Innovation Award

Brenda Ainsworth

ACT Health, Canberra

Establishing a public health centre where nurses have autonomy in providing patient care brought many challenges for ACT health executive Brenda Ainsworth. Brenda led the development and implementation of a walk-in centre that was modelled on existing UK operations that are valued for their convenience and accessibility. Opening in May 2010, Australia’s first public nurse-led walk-in centre provides treatment for minor illness and injuries in a clinical environment. The innovative model required legislative change in the ACT and difficult negotiations with clinical groups. As ACT Health’s executive director, Health Performance Improvement Innovation & Redesign, Brenda drives change in business processes to improve public access to acute health services. She says the ACT walk-in centre aims to relieve pressure on emergency departments, provide faster access to treatment and an answer to workforce shortages. The centre features “paperless” medical records and served 1000 patients in its first month.

“With more than 30 years’ experience in health in clinical and managerial positions, I have been able to identify and maximise opportunities to overcome health system constraints with new ideas, processes and attitudes” – Brenda Ainsworth.
Book

marie claire Young Business Women's Award

Carly-Jane Tozer

CJ’s Style, Belconnen

Hair and beauty salon owner Carly-Jane Tozer’s ambition is to have a string of three to four salons. Aged 23, she believes her goal is very attainable. Carly-Jane opened her first salon at 20 after completing her apprenticeship and now has nine full-time, casual and contract employees. She tested her customer service in April 2010 with a marketing campaign that invited clients to “pay us what you think it’s worth.” The response was huge – only three people paid less than the asking price and others paid more as they believed CJ’s Style provided better value for money than other salons. Carly-Jane says having a dream and not settling for less is the driving force in her business – plus the support she receives from her parents and husband. Since 2007, Carly-Jane has trained eight apprentices and she says it is an honour to lead, inspire and encourage others.

“I have learnt that you can achieve anything you put your mind to and that age is no barrier” – Carly-Jane Tozer.