Award Winners

2010 VIC Award Winners

Book

Telstra Victorian Business Woman of the Year

Janet Matton

IBM

As Vice President of Operations reporting to the CEO of IBM Australia and New Zealand, Janet Matton is responsible for the operational systems and processes for all divisions involving about 14,000 employees. In a 31 year career with IBM, Janet’s achievements include many successful ‘firsts’ in Australia, such as deploying the first ever client server systems and establishing the first outsourcing delivery business. The latter was achieved despite going against corporate wisdom of the time. One of the most difficult times occurred when Janet was involved in the retrenchment of large numbers of staff in the 1990s. Using her high corporate profile to champion women in business, Janet is the executive sponsor of the mentoring program, ‘A Smarter Planet needs Smart Women’ and regularly delivers motivational and educational presentations at women’s networking events. She also mentors 15 women at IBM including two in China.

“My personal motto is to act with courage and to seek new challenges.” Janet Matton.
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Commonwealth Bank Business Owner Award

Sharon Pearson

The Coaching Institute (TCI)

By 23 Sharon Pearson had established a direct marketing business generating more than $1 million revenue. In 2004 she founded The Coaching Institute (TCI), now one of Australia’s leading coaching training businesses and the most accredited coaching school in Australasia. Enrolling its 1600th student in 2010, TCI helps participants discover their potential through innovative products like the ‘Mastermind’ program which helps businesses accelerate growth through practical marketing tools. Sharon’s first big challenge came at TCI’s inception. At the time there was no government-accredited diploma in coaching. So she wrote the course herself, sat for it, and was awarded Australia’s first Diploma in Life Coaching. In 2008 Sharon set up the Coaching Institute Foundation, a charity dedicated to helping those less advantaged. The foundation has strongly supported Sacred Heart Mission, numerous animal foundations including WASPA and Animals Asia, and has financed an education program for orphans in Nigeria.

“I’ve learned that there isn’t always an easy way but there’s always a way.” Sharon Pearson.
Book

Hudson Private and Corporate Sector Award

Janet Matton

IBM

As Vice President of Operations reporting to the CEO of IBM Australia and New Zealand, Janet Matton is responsible for the operational systems and processes for all divisions involving about 14,000 employees. In a 31 year career with IBM, Janet’s achievements include many successful ‘firsts’ in Australia, such as deploying the first ever client server systems and establishing the first outsourcing delivery business. The latter was achieved despite going against corporate wisdom of the time. One of the most difficult times occurred when Janet was involved in the retrenchment of large numbers of staff in the 1990s. Using her high corporate profile to champion women in business, Janet is the executive sponsor of the mentoring program, ‘A Smarter Planet needs Smart Women’ and regularly delivers motivational and educational presentations at women’s networking events. She also mentors 15 women at IBM including two in China.

“My personal motto is to act with courage and to seek new challenges.” Janet Matton.
Book

White Pages Community and Government Award

Dr. Nicole Highet

beyondblue

Dr. Nicole Highet’s career has been dedicated to depression. After graduating with a Clinical Doctorate in Psychology in 1997, she diversified into marketing and advertising research. These two seemingly opposite fields came together in 2001 after Nicole joined the national organisation battling depression, beyondblue. In her current role as Deputy CEO of beyondblue, Nicole has been the driving force behind education and research campaigns designed to raise awareness of depression across Australia. The campaigns were innovative as they accurately portrayed what it is like to live with mental illness. Nicole says her personal goal is to reduce the burden of disease associated with depression by symptom and illness recognition, stigma reduction and ensuring access to effective treatments. She was instrumental in the implementation of universal screening for ante and post natal depression in women throughout Australia by negotiating $85 million in funding for the program from the Federal Government.

“I will inspire colleagues in the mental health sector that our efforts are not in vain.” Dr. Nicole Highet.
Book

Nokia Business Innovation Award

Alexandra Wardle

Qubies

As a mother with two little boys, Alexandra Wardle found it frustrating that there were no containers on the market designed just for storing and freezing baby food. So she created Qubies, an upside-down ice cube tray designed specifically for baby food. Qubies is a one-woman operation with Alexandra serving as CEO, sales person, marketer, packer and tea lady although she does outsource delivery services. Her innovative ice cube trays are sold in most national baby product stores and exported. On starting up Qubies, Alexandra faced two big challenges. Firstly she had to learn how to create a product from plastic. Then she had to find a manufacturer that would take her idea seriously. One company did - in China - and four thousand Qubies were made on the first production run, making their first appearance in Australia in 2007. Alexandra now mentors other mothers starting up small businesses.

“It's so easy to be told ‘no’ and to sit back and think 'oh well'. But I want other mums to know it is possible.” Alexandra Wardle.
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marie claire Young Business Women’s Award

Kate Morris

Adore Beauty

With no money, connections or business experience, Kate Morris set out to create an online cosmetic shop after becoming frustrated with not being able to buy the cosmetics she wanted. At just 21, she and her partner James Height established adorebeauty.com.au with $12,000 and two brands available. The biggest hurdle Kate faced was the reluctance of high-end cosmetics manufacturers to supply a small independent online retailer. Her determination and persistence eventually won them over. Today, the 32 year old runs a company with 100 cosmetics brands and more than $2 million in revenue. Kate aims to cement adorebeauty.com.au’s position as the leading Australian beauty site by 2020. Underpinning the goal are plans to increase the range of brands sold, making the online experience more engaging, boosting the business’ profile, and improving relationships with existing customers.

“While I'm sure my business could have been bigger or more impressive by now if I had had money, connections and experience, I have shown that it can be done if you really want to do it, and are prepared to stick at it.” Kate Morris.