For all the details check out the Telstra Business Woman of the Year 2015 website and don’t miss our exclusive interview with winner Captain Mona Shindy
Telstra Australian Business Woman of the Year
Captain Mona Shindy, Royal Australian Navy, NSW
After 26 years’ service in the Royal Australian Navy, Captain Mona Shindy’s current role is vital to Australia’s future military preparedness. As Director Littoral Warfare and Maritime Support, she presents business cases to government for acquisition of affordable and suitable Defence assets including patrol boats, tankers, and littoral warfare equipment. Migrating to Australia from Egypt when she was three, Mona has led teams in operational roles as a weapons engineer on warships and in technical support organisations. For three years, she was the Fast Frigate System Program Office Director in Sydney, accountable for the availability, maintenance and upkeep of front-line warships, associated logistics and engineering enhancements, while managing a $130 million budget. In 2013, Mona became the Chief of Navy’s Strategic Adviser on Islamic Cultural Affairs, receiving a Conspicuous Service Cross for this work on Australia Day 2015.
Telstra Australian Start-Up Award
Jessica May, Enabled Employment, ACT
In 2011, Jessica May’s diagnosis with a panic disorder after the birth of her first child was the catalyst to starting up her own business Enabled Employment in 2014. Enabled Employment is an online portal offering flexible employment for people with disability or Australian Defence Force members with post-traumatic stress and other injuries. The business is owned, run and managed by people with disability and employs an Australian Defence Force veteran to assist with employment of other veterans. Jessica, CEO of Enabled Employment, a fully private business, says her proudest achievement is putting people back into work. Enabled Employment has filled more than 100 positions of the 240 advertised in the last twelve months. Jessica says that her business is changing the way people with disability are perceived by employers, and expanding job options for people with disability.
Telstra Australian Entrepreneur Award
Marie Piccone, Manbulloo, QLD
Marie Piccone is a leading figure in Australia’s mango industry and Managing Director of Manbulloo, the nation’s largest producer of popular Kensington Pride mangoes. After 18 years running Piccone Horticultural Consultancy with clients in Australia, New Zealand and Asia, Marie bought three mango plantations in 2005. She has developed a business that today comprises production, marketing and export to Korea, China, Japan and Canada, supply chain technical support and marketing and horticultural support. The final decision maker on all strategic issues, she works closely with all retail and supply chain partners. Marie says mangoes are an experience and a taste sensation symbolic of Australian summer and so the success of Manbulloo relies on consistently pleasing consumers. Previously, Marie was a director of the Australian Mango Industry Association and a Member of the Queensland Government’s Horticulture Industry Group.
Telstra Australian For Purpose and Social Enterprise
Kate Thiele, Guide Dogs SA/NT, SA
After a career spanning the health, manufacturing and retail sectors, Kate Thiele aligned her love of leading dynamic teams with social enterprise and became the Chief Executive of Guide Dogs SA/NT. Kate says the most significant change she has led at Guide Dogs SA/NT is driving the expansion of the Guide Dogs program to include Autism Assistance Dogs. When Kate joined in 2009, the economy was uncertain. Using her sales and marketing experience, Kate brokered a multi-faceted giving program. Through the program, Kate has tripled turnover, grown active donors from 5,000 to more than 50,000 and grown regular donors from 450 a year to an amazing 21,000. Kate is the first South Australian to win a Harvard University Fellowship and is a member of University of SA’s MBA Advisory Board, and the boards of Minda and Adelaide Zoo.
Telstra Australian Government and Academia Award (joint winners)
Katarina Carroll, Queensland Fire and Emergency Services, QLD
The first woman to be appointed Commissioner of Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) in 2015, Katarina Carroll has carved an impressive career within a largely male-dominated workplace. QFES is the primary provider of fire and emergency services in Queensland and Katarina’s role is to drive change including setting the vision and strategic direction. Last year, as Queensland Police Assistant Commissioner, Katarina led the Queensland Police Service (QPS) G20 security operation in Brisbane. She says preparing and managing security and safety operations for the summit’s 26 world leaders was her proudest career moment. Both roles with QFES and QPS have involved delivering essential services in protecting people, property and the environment of Queensland. Katarina is also a professed life-long learner and mother who is often seen cheering her soccer-playing children from the sidelines.
Captain Mona Shindy, Telstra Australian Government and Academia Award
After 26 years’ service in the Royal Australian Navy, Captain Mona Shindy’s current role is vital to Australia’s future military preparedness. As Director Littoral Warfare and Maritime Support, she presents business cases to government for acquisition of affordable and suitable Defence assets including patrol boats, tankers, and littoral warfare equipment. Migrating to Australia from Egypt when she was three, Mona has led teams in operational roles as a weapons engineer on warships and in technical support organisations. For three years, she was the Fast Frigate System Program Office Director in Sydney, accountable for the availability, maintenance and upkeep of front-line warships, associated logistics and engineering enhancements, while managing a $130 million budget. In 2013, Mona became the Chief of Navy’s Strategic Adviser on Islamic Cultural Affairs, receiving a Conspicuous Service Cross for this work on Australia Day 2015.
Telstra Australian Corporate and Private Award
Dr Catherine Ball, AECOM (formerly URS), QLD
Dr Catherine Ball’s proposal to use drones for marine fauna surveys took her career to new heights at international engineering and environmental consultancy AECOM. The innovation saw the UK-born Doctor in Environmental Protection promoted to the Regional Lead for Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), based in Brisbane. Since then, Catherine’s delivered a number of world firsts in environmental and infrastructure surveying. This includes high-resolution, 3D-walkthroughs of remote islands from data collected by drones, enabling scientists to assess turtle rookeries without leaving the office. Catherine is an active contributor to Emberin’s My Mentor Ignite: Courageous Women program and a mentor for the Smith Family, where she supports a pair of young female twins. She is passionate about more women becoming involved in technology and innovation, particularly in male dominated areas such as aviation, technology, UAS, big data and science.
Telstra Australian Young Business Women’s Award
Kim Tran, La Belle Peau Skincare Clinic, WA
Kim Tran opened her first skin and beauty clinic in 2007 at the age of 19, a year after she was Student of the Year in Dermal Science at Curtin University. As Managing Director of La Belle Peau Skincare Clinic, the dermal therapist runs a business offering clients cosmeceutical skincare, paramedical skin treatments and beauty treatments. While a coach and role model for her team of experienced dermal and beauty therapists, Kim is highly-motivated to ensure she stays abreast of the industry’s latest technology in skin and beauty treatments. La Belle Peau has become a multi-award winning clinic and a leader in the skin rejuvenation industry. Kim says that living in today’s image-driven society, it is important for clients to know there is somewhere they can seek safe and effective treatments to enhance their confidence naturally.