News

Outstanding ACT business women head to Awards finals

5 Sep 2011

Two of the Royal Australian Navy’s best, including a 30-year veteran who drives career advancement and gender equality programs for Navy women, are among 11 finalists for the 2011 Telstra ACT Business Women’s Awards.

Jennifer Heymans, the Navy’s strategic adviser on female employment and participation, and Dr Robin Walker, who managed the health services for Defence personnel in Iraq and East Timor and soon to be promoted to Surgeon-General, have been selected as finalists for the White Pages Community & Government Award. Ms Heymans is also a finalist for the Nokia Business Innovation Award.

They are joined by a diverse range of inspirational business women including health providers, a teacher, a law firm principal, the owner of a registered training organisation, a small business advisor, a government solicitor and a bank manager.

Barbara Reid, a registered nurse and midwife who is currently the head of Surgery, Oral Health and Imaging at Canberra Hospital, has also been named a finalist in the White Pages Community & Government Award for her impressive record in improving health service delivery in the ACT.

Anna Beaver, who teaches English at Campbell High School and was previously nominated for the National Excellence in Teaching Award, is one of two finalists for the marie claire Young Business Woman Award.

Kate McKenzie, Group Managing Director of Telstra Innovation, Products & Marketing and Telstra Business Women’s Awards Ambassador said the Awards program celebrates the success of extraordinary women and is part of Telstra’s commitment to gender equality.

“For 17 years Telstra has shone the light on leaders in business who inspire, connect and achieve so much. Their achievements, leadership and entrepreneurial drive have impacts that go well beyond their workplace,” Ms McKenzie said.

Michelle Sherwood, Executive General Manager of Strategic Marketing at Sensis, said: “It’s terrific to be involved in a program that recognises and celebrates the passion and achievements of women in the workplace, especially in the Community and Government sector.

“As sponsor of the Community and Government category we are thrilled to be able to showcase the leadership, business acumen, passion and enthusiasm of women in the workplace,” she said.

Winners of the 2011 Telstra ACT Business Women’s Awards will be announced at a gala luncheon on 27 September in Canberra. The winners share $200,000 in cash and prizes and become part of an exclusive national business alumni.

The ACT winners proceed to the national finals of the Telstra Business Women’s Awards which will be announced in Melbourne on 18 November.

Finalists for the 2011 Telstra ACT Business Women’s Awards are:

Commonwealth Bank Business Owner Award

Judy Morris   Judy Morris & Associates, Deakin West
Karen Nicholas   Learning Options, Manuka

Hudson Private and Corporate Sector Award

Janine Yokom   Westpac, Belconnen
Anna Pino   Lighthouse Business Innovation Centre, Fyshwick

White Pages Community & Government Award

Dr Robyn Walker   Department of Defence, Canberra
Dr Loretta Zamprogno   ACT Government Solicitor, Canberra
Marcia Williams   Women's Centre for Health Matters, Mawson
Barbara Reid   ACT Government Health Directorate, Woden
Jennifer Heymans   Royal Australian Navy, Kambah

Nokia Business Innovation Award

Barbara Reid   ACT Government Health Directorate, Woden
Jennifer Heymans   Royal Australian Navy, Kambah

marie claire Young Business Women’s Award

Julie McKay   UN Women Australia, Canberra
Anna Beaver   Campbell High School, Dunlop

More information on the Telstra Business Women’s Awards can be found at www.telstrabusinesswomensawards.com

Media contacts:
Karina Keisler 0419 523 776 Telstra
Elizabeth Coad 0404 644 848 Lighthouse Communications Group
www.telstra.com.au/abouttelstra/media-centre/
Reference: 249/2011

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Telstra Business Women's Awards Network


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