2012 New South Wales Finalists Announced
31 Aug 2012
Young entrepreneurs named as finalists for NSW Business Women’s Awards
Two women who launched successful retail businesses in their early to mid 20s and three others who hold leadership positions in not-for-profit organisations were named today among finalists for the 2012 Telstra NSW Business Women’s Awards.
Natalie Archer, co-founder and joint CEO of Sydney strategic advisory firm Bendelta, and Sarah Anderson, founder of Bondi Junction marketing and public relations business GTI Tourism, are among six finalists for the marie claire Young Business Women’s Award.
New Zealand-born Natalie Archer launched her business at 23 soon after being the youngest person to be appointed to a board of World Vision. Ms Anderson established The Travel Corporation Conservation Foundation, which works with travel agencies to raise up to $1 million a year for conservation and sustainable tourism projects.
Other finalists in the Awards category for business women aged under 35 include:
- Dr Genevieve Nelson, executive director of philanthropic organisation The Kokoda Track Foundation which is providing 350 school scholarships to students from local villages, equipment for 40 schools and medicine and supplies for 15 aid posts along the famous Papua New Guinean Track.
- Naomi Barber, Manager Access and Transition for Disability Services Australia at Bankstown. She manages a team that supports 2000 people with a disability to find or keep employment.
- Kenyan-born Sonya Pell, The Salvation Army’s Assistant Director for Social Programs, who manages government contracts worth $32 million that deliver emergency relief and meet social needs.
Kate McKenzie, Group Managing Director Telstra Innovation, Products & Marketing and Ambassador of the Telstra Business Women’s Awards, said the Awards were a celebration of the enormous diversity of amazing business women in New South Wales and this year the finalists for the marie claire Young Business Women’s Award category are very impressive .
“For 18 years, the Awards have shone a spotlight on the achievements of inspirational women. In 2012, the 23 NSW finalists range from women who have shown courage and determination to start and grow their own businesses to others who are influential leaders in local business and community sectors. The innovation in ideas and technology that they reveal is vital to the future of the State’s economy,” Ms McKenzie said.
Jackie Frank, Publisher/Editor of marie claire magazine said: “At marie claire, we always aim to inspire, encourage and celebrate women, so we are thrilled to again sponsor the prestigious Telstra Young Business Women's Award. As a vehicle for the voice of Australian women, we relish the opportunity to tell the real-life success stories of amazing trailblazers who are establishing themselves as the next generation of business leaders. It's a privilege to support the incredible achievements of the finalists announced today.''
Winners of the 2012 Telstra NSW Business Women’s Awards will be announced at a gala luncheon on Tuesday 25 September in Sydney.
The NSW winners proceed to the national finals of the Telstra Business Women’s Awards that will be announced in Sydney on 21 November. The winners share in $200,000 in cash and prizes split amongst the state/territory and national winners, and become part of an exclusive national business alumni with wide networking opportunities.
Finalists for the 2012 Telstra New South Wales Business Women’s Awards are:
Commonwealth Bank Business Owner Award
| Audette Exel |
ISIS (Asia Pacific) Pty Ltd, Rozelle |
| Gina Field |
Nepean Regional Security Pty Ltd, Penrith |
| Anna-Lucia Mackay |
HCM Global, Sydney |
| Katie Malyon |
KM Lawyers, Sydney |
| Ros Moriarty |
The Jumbana Pty Ltd, Cammeray |
Hudson Private and Corporate Sector Award
| Liesl Capper |
MyCyberTwin Pty Ltd, Chatswood |
| Bronwyn Evans |
Cochlear Limited, Macquarie University |
| Belinda Grealy |
Pacific National Coal, Newcastle |
| Heather Idoine |
Sir Stamford at Circular Quay, Sydney |
| Jeanne Selvage |
AJS Computing Services, Pymble |
| Cynthia Whelan |
Barclays Bank PLC, Sydney |
White Pages® Community & Government Award
| Sharon Callister |
The Salvation Army Aged Care Plus, Meadowbank |
| Ronni Kahn |
OzHarvest, Alexandria |
| Kate Melhopt |
South East Neighbourhood Centre, Eastlakes |
| Rosemary Milkins |
Fire and Rescue NSW, Sydney |
| Nieves Murray |
IRT Group, Wollongong |
| Lee de Winton |
Royal Australian Air Force, Williamtown |
Nokia Business Innovation Award
| Liesl Capper |
MyCyberTwin Pty Ltd, Chatswood |
| Audette Exel |
ISIS (Asia Pacific) Pty Ltd, Rozelle |
| Rebecca James |
Lavender Communication Group, Sydney |
| Ronni Kahn |
OzHarvest, Alexandria |
marie claire Young Business Women’s Award
| Sarah Anderson |
GTI Tourism Pty Ltd, Bondi Junction |
| Natalie Archer |
Bendelta Pty Ltd, Sydney |
| Naomi Barber |
Disability Services Australia, Bankstown |
| Genevieve Nelson |
The Kokoda Track Foundation, Sydney |
| Sonya Pell |
The Salvation Army, Sydney |
More information on the Telstra Business Women’s Awards can be found at
www.telstrabusinesswomensawards.com
Media contacts:
Jane de Gault | 0419 818 956 | Telstra
Rod Bruem | 0438 288 010 | Telstra
www.telstra.com.au/abouttelstra/media-centre/
Reference: 227/2012
Download press release
Telstra Business Women's Awards Network