Brilliant business women from ACT leading the way

Posted on 6 October, 2016

From Indigenous inspired beauty products, to cosy cafes in The National Library of Australia, business women from the Australian Capital Territory prove abundant in creativity and entrepreneurial spirit. 

Telstra Business Women’s Awards Ambassador, Group Executive, Media, and Chief Marketing Officer, Joe Pollard said that women from the Australian Capital Territory are changing business, one brilliant business woman at a time.

“Now in their 22nd year, the Telstra Business Women’s Awards champion women from diverse industries, ensuring their achievements are given the recognition they deserve, and continue to raise the profile of women in business,” Ms Pollard said.

“The 2016 Telstra Australian Capital Territory Business Women’s Awards finalists demonstrate the unique combination of skills required for professional excellence: the courage to take risks, sound financial management, strong leadership skills and of course, sophisticated business acumen allowing them to thrive.”

The Australian Capital Territory finalists come from a diverse range of industry backgrounds, including hospitality, beauty, fitness, rehabilitation and more.

Finalists include Tracy Keeley, who runs successful café and catering business Bookplate, named after its iconic location in The National Library of Australia. Jessica Buffier is also a successful entrepreneur as the founder of property and rental business, @HomeACT.

Julie Okely is the founder of Dilkara Essence of Australia, a unique Australian hair and body care brand that sources its materials from Indigenous communities around Australia.

Among finalists are those in the rehabilitation industry, such as Kate Seselja who established The Hope Project in an effort to help people overcome severe addictions. The not-for-profit promotes prevention through kindness and recovery from addiction, by providing hope.

Fiona Fonti founded The Rehabilitation Specialists to aid individuals who are injured or suffering from ill-health return to work. Jessica May is also in the industry of helping people enter the workforce, through her online labour hire company, Enabled Employment, which specialises in employment opportunities for people with a disability and Australian Defence Force veterans.

One finalist, Myfanwy Galloway, is the director of Functional Fitness Australia, a training facility specialising in small group exercise classes with the aim to get members to enjoy training and get into great physical and mental shape.

In the Young Business Women’s Award category, Lauren Heys is the business of helping other women achieve their goals through her coaching business Moxxi Group and Madeline Chacos is the practice manager of Infinity Legal, a law firm that specialises in family law and domestic violence.

There are six Telstra Business Women’s Awards categories in 2016: Entrepreneur, For Purpose and Social Enterprise, Public Sector and Academia, Corporate and Private, Young Business Women’s and, new in 2016, Business Woman in Asia.

“Telstra is a passionate advocate of women in business and we are thrilled to extend the Telstra Business Women’s Awards program into Asia this year to further recognise and reward the courage, leadership and creativity of brilliant business women,” Ms Pollard said.

The 14 finalists join other Australian Capital Territory winners and finalists as Telstra Business Women’s Awards Alumni.

Winners of the 2016 Telstra Australian Capital Territory Business Women’s Awards will be announced at a Gala Dinner at the National Gallery of Australia on Friday 21 October. State and Territory category winners will be flown to Melbourne for the National Awards judging, culminating in a glittering celebration dinner on the night of Wednesday 16 November 2016.

For information about the Awards and to purchase tickets to the Awards Gala Dinner, call 1800 817 536 between 9am and 7pm AEST Monday to Friday.

Nominations for the Telstra Business Women’s Awards are open year-round. If you, or a brilliant business woman you know, deserve recognition, nominate today: www.telstrabusinesswomensawards.com/nominate. 

Feature image: Supplied