Event Program - 2014 NAB Women’s Agenda Leadership Awards

Thursday 6th March 2014 • Doltone House • Sydney

You gain sTrengTh,

courage and confidenceby every experience in

which you really sTop to look fear in the face.

You must do the thing you think you cannot Do

Eleanor Roosevelt

Welcome to the second annual NAB Women’s Agenda Leadership Awards, where we celebrate our emerging female leaders and the men and women who help women achieve. It’s been a privilege to further develop this awards program with NAB and once again invite women to share their talents and achievements during the nomination process.

We thought it would be difficult to top the volume and quality of the nominations we received last year but our 2014 nominees exceeded our expectations.

With hundreds of nominations received, even being named a finalist in these awards is an incredible result and the following pages provide just a taste of what this remarkable bunch of women and men do. Read their profiles, be inspired by their talents and learn from their resilience.

We would particularly like to give special thanks to the Women and Money team at NAB for their excellent support and for continuing on with the awards in 2015. We would also like to thank the hardworking team at Private Media, and Samantha Dybac from Sammway for making this event possible.

Good luck to all the finalists today. And to all our nominees – and women everywhere – well done.

The NAB Women’s Agenda Leadership Awards 2014 3

Editor’s Welcome

Angela Priestley.......................................Editor, Women’s Agenda (Private Media)

4 The NAB Women’s Agenda Leadership Awards 2014

Every woman deserves a life plan full of choices so she can strive to be the best she possibly can be.Whether she’s focused on her career, taking time out for herself, starting a family, choosing to be a full time mum or juggling any combination of these, her life plan should be underpinned by a healthy relationship with money.

Our vision is for all Australian women to be wise and confident with their life and money choices.

We know that when women are in control of their money they feel in control of themselves.

Joining forces with Women’s Agenda to recognise and celebrate Australian women and men who are helping women achieve was an easy decision for us.

Since launching the inaugural Awards in 2013, we have continued to share with the Women’s Agenda team a passion for seeing women succeed and helping them feel empowered economically.

It is through these Awards that we can together help unearth the women and men out there doing amazing work but who go largely unnoticed.

It has been exciting to see the momentum build around this year’s Awards and to again receive such a fantastic response from entrants. The standard of entries was extremely high and the finalists we are recognising today should feel very proud of their achievements.

To all the women, who put their hand up or were nominated by someone else for an Award today, you are already a winner in our eyes.

I congratulate all involved in bringing these Awards to life and particularly the entrants for your leadership, courage and passion – this is what Australian women are all about.

A Message From Our Partner

Jacinta Carboon.......................................Project Director, Women and Money, NAB


Order of Proceedings

entree serveD

WelcomeAngela Priestley, Editor, Women’s Agenda

Partner Message

Jacinta Carboon, Project Director, Women and Money, NAB

EMErgiNg ENTrEPrENEur of the year

EMErgiNg LEADEr in the Not-for-Profit Sector

EMErgiNg LEADEr in the Private Sector

Main course serveD

rEgiONAL/rurAL ENTrEPrENEur Or MANAgEr of the Year

AgENDA SETTEr

EMErgiNg LEADErin the Public Sector

BEST EMPLOYEr initiative for Women

Guest Speaker

Anna Bligh, Chief Executive Officer, YWCA NSW

MENTOr of the Year

MALE Or FEMALE CHANgECHAMPiON of the Year

HALL OF FAME AWArDAwarded to Ann Sherry, AO

Our Judges

Janine Allis Founder and Managing Director, Boost Juice Bars

Mark Britt CEO mi9

Jacinta Carboon Project Director, Women and Money, NAB

Sharon Cook Managing Partner, Henry Davis York, Chair SCEGGS Darlinghurst

Dr Judith MacCormick, PhD Partner, Heidrick & Struggles, Visiting Fellow AGSM, Chairman Queenwood, Facilitator Australian Institute of Company

Directors

Romilly Madew CEO Green Building Council of Australia, Board member World Green Building Council, Deputy President Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council, Member National Sustainability Council, Climate Futures Reference Group

Wendy McCarthy AO Chair headspace, Circus Oz, McGrath Estate Agents and Pacific Friends of the Global Fund; Board Member Goodstart

Early Learning Ltd; Non-executive director Bentham IMF Limited

Julie McKay Executive Director UN Women Australia

Tara Moss Novelist, TV Presenter, Journalist

Sam Mostyn Non-executive director Citibank Australia, Transurban, Virgin Australia; Board member Diversity Council of Australia,

Australia Council for the Arts, Sydney Theatre Company, Australian Volunteers International, Member National Sustainability Council, Commissioner National Mental Health Commission, Australian Football League

Carol Schwartz AM Founding Chair, Women’s Leadership Institute Australia, Non-executive director Qualitas, Yarra Capital Partners,

Founder Trawalla Foundation, Chairman Our Community

Nareen Young Australian employment/governance diversity leader; Board member Netball Australia, Indigenous Business Australia,

Institute for Cultural Diversity

Peter Strong Executive Director Council of Small Business of Australia


Awarded to a woman who has

established a new business

or significantly progressed an

existing business in the last 12 months

Jane Wright LAUREN BAREL WORk DYNAMIC

Jane Wright and Lauren Barel shared a senior associate role at a leading commercial law firm for five years before leaping out on their own. In April 2013 they set up Work Dynamic, a boutique employment law firm that specialises in workplace investigations. With five young children between them the pair wanted more flexibility than a large organisation could provide them. Because of their experience in employment law they recognised the opportunity for legally qualified workplace investigators and sought to fill that gap. So far that gap is providing them plenty of work.

Bridget Loudon ExPERT360

Bridget Loudon was working at global management consulting firm Bain & Company when she realised how many businesses -- of all sizes – needed to engage expertise to complete certain projects. More often than not, finding flexible talent to provide that expertise in house was difficult and expensive. She also noticed there was a growing pool of quality executives who were working freelance in search of flexibility, mobility and diversity of work. So she conceived a platform to connect the two parties safely, efficiently and enjoyably. That platform went live in July 2013 and is now her business called Expert360.

Lorraine Murphy THE REMARkABLES GROUP

Lorraine Murphy spent eight years working in large PR agencies before she started The Remarkables Group in May 2012. Her business is dedicated to blogging and in particular bringing brands and bloggers together. She knew that large forward-thinking brands could see the value in working with bloggers but they had no idea how to approach them or create a blogger strategy. On the other side, bloggers wanted to monetise their blogs but they didn’t know where to start in pitching themselves. Murphy tackled this by signing on leading bloggers and then educating brands about the benefits and potential of working together.


Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year Award

Awarded to an emerging leader

in the not-for-profit sector who

has demonstrated a positive and

measurable impact in her field of

expertise

Lisa Dempster CEO, MELBOURNE WRITERS FESTIVAL

Lisa Dempster led a team to deliver an extraordinary eleven-day Melbourne Writers Festival in 2013, featuring 518 authors in 383 events across 34 venues. After coming on board in 2013 she developed a new strategic direction for the festival that included a major cultural shift to making digital media a priority. It was the most ambitious and largest Melbourne Writers Festival to date and the new direction of the festival resulted in increased attendances, box office income and sponsorship growth.

Anita Peiris PROGRAM MANAGER, kALPARRIN

As a parent of two children with disabilities Anita Peiris was driven to connect families together and remove their feelings of isolation. The program, WA Special families, has since grown from 30 members in 1999 to a membership of 1,600 families and is the largest online support system for families within Australia. Peiris was also involved in successfully lobbying the Premier to bring the National Disability Insurance Scheme to Western Australia.

rachelle Towart CHIEF ExECUTIVE OFFICER, AUSTRALIAN INDIGENOUS LEADERSHIP CENTRE

Rachelle Towart is leading the Australian Indigenous Leadership Centre (AILC) to help turn the tide of disadvantage. Since joining AILC in 2007, Towart has tripled revenue and more than doubled the number of course places available to Indigenous people, without compromising quality. She has developed strong partnerships with major Australian corporations and government departments, and has leveraged those relationships to improve governance, strategic planning and efficiency.


Emerging Leader in the Not-for-Profit Sector


in the private sector who has demonstrated a positive and


expertise

Edyta Torpy DIVERSITY & INCLUSIVENESS LEADER, OCEANIA, EY

Edyta Torpy has spent the past five years leading EY’s diversity and inclusion policies. It is not an area where results can be achieved in isolation but with passion and perseverance, Torpy has led her team to deliver the organisation with significant results. They have increased the number of women promoted into partnership through the introduction of gender targets, produced guidelines for the recruitment, retention and promotion of women, and installed a supplier diversity initiative. They launched the firm’s first Reconciliation Action Plan and helped develop five new affinity groups including a network for LGBTI employees.

Tharani Jegatheeswaran NATIONAL DIRECTOR - NFPS, DELOITTE

Tharani Jegatheeswaran has successfully transformed her interest in the Not-for-Profit sector into a firm-endorsed strategy. As a corporate social entrepreneur with a passion for profits for purpose, Jegatheeswaran identified opportunities to assist Deloitte achieve its business targets, whilst also increasing its social impact. She has developed credibility as the voice of the NFP sector, within Deloitte, and externally. She is dedicated to building a multi-disciplinary team that’s passionate about servicing the NFP sector and in 18 months has grown her team from 5 to 25.

Fay Calderone DIRECTOR, MATTHEWSFOLBIGG LAWYERS

Fay Calderone was a founding member of MatthewsFolbigg Lawyers workplace relations team. In 2010, she was promoted to director and rebranded the practice group as Workplace Solutions in 2013. In the same year, at the age of 35, Calderdone was made one of 10 equity directors in the business. Under her leadership the Workplace Solutions group has experienced extraordinary organic growth, resulting in a 220% increase in top line revenue. This is attributed to Calderdone’s unique and innovative approach to managing people, clients and budgets.


Emerging Leader in the Private Sector

Regional/Rural Entrepreneur or Manager of the Year Award


Awarded to the most inspirational and successful female

entrepreneur or manager who runs

her own business or business unit in a regional or rural

location, and makes a contribution to

the local community

Yvette Pietsch MANAGING PRINCIPAL - CENTRAL WEST, CROWE HORWATH

Eight offices, 200 staff, thousands of kilometres; it’s all in a day’s work for Yvette Pietsch, the only female managing principal at Crowe Horwath. Her flexible management style has ensured she maintains a high level of engagement with staff that span eight offices across a region covering 10,500 square kilometres. As a member Crowe Horwath Australasia’s diversity council, she helps ensure the female perspective is absorbed in the company’s leadership and management.

Zoe Waters DIRECTOR, VOLUNTEER SERVICES, BARWON HEALTH

Zoe Waters has been instrumental in creating major change in the volunteer sector. The director of volunteer services for Australia’s leading regional healthcare service, Barwon Health, she successfully lead a rebrand of their volunteer program, working with a network of 1000 volunteers who contribute the equivalent of $1.5 million in paid work. Her team managed to recruit 220 new volunteers in 2013, most under the age of 60.

Tanya Dupagne CAMP kULIN MANAGER, CAMP kULIN (SHIRE OF kULIN)

Tanya Dupagne left behind a local government position and a role as CEO of one of Australia’s fastest growing charities, when she moved to the Western Australian Shire of kulin, with a population of 300. She promptly took control of the town’s facilities that were sitting empty and helped create a scholarship camp program for disadvantaged youth. Her endeavours have brought new industry to the town and have created new opportunities for campers and counsellors alike. She’s had a 100% return rate among her volunteers, and has seen many others move on to other employment and educational opportunities.

The Agenda Setter Award

Awarded to the most inspirational

and successful woman who makes a difference, provides real solutions in the

world today and is instrumental in

building a smarter planet

Kate McClymont INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALIST, FAIRFAx

kate McClymont has cemented her reputation as one of Austalia’s most fearless reporters, investigating stories on business, organised crime and corruption in Australia. Guided by the belief that her work could instigate lasting change in government deals for the betterment of the state of New South Wales saw her work set the agenda for the uncovering of the largest corruption scandal in decades. Despite death threats, lawsuits and intimidation tactics, her tireless investigative work led to the recent Independent Commission Against Corruption investigations which will change the way state government runs in NSW in the future.

Alison Monroe GENERAL MANAGER, SAGECO

Alison Monroe co-founded Sageco in 2004 to redress the age balance in the workforce and create an optimum late career and transition to retirement experience for older workers. Monroe’s tireless efforts in the area of mature age employment have resulted in more organisations taking action to tackle age balance in the workforce and remove barriers to employment participation for older workers. Monroe is also the president of NSW Equal Employment Opportunity Practitioners’ Association and a board Member of HRExL.

Dr Juliet Willetts RESEARCH DIRECTOR, INSTITUTE FOR SUSTAINABLE FUTURES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, SYDNEY

Dr Juliet Willetts has led six years of sustained action to address the huge disparity in access to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in neighbouring countries. As a researcher at the Institute for Sustainable Futures, her advocacy has had measurable impacts in increasing Australia’s contribution in this area and her work set the scene for the Government to identify WASH as an important health intervention, allocating $300 million to water supply and sanitation.

FINALISTS CONTINUED OVER PAGE ...


Continued... Lisa Messenger FOUNDER & DIRECTOR, RENEGADE COLLECTIVE

Buoyed by the inspirational individuals she met through her work as a successful businesswoman and entrepreneur, Lisa Messenger was motivated to launch the Renegade Collective in 2013 as a platform to share inspirational and aspirational stories. She launched her magazine in the midst of what many regard as the dying days of print publishing. It exceeded expectations and was the biggest launch in terms of distribution footprint in Australian history; after 8 months it is distributed in 20 countries and has resulted in a fast-growing, highly engaged community.


The Agenda Setter Award


Emerging Leader in the Public Sector Award

Jane Polak Scowcroft MANAGER, WEB AND SOCIAL MEDIA, JAMES COOk UNIVERSITY

Jane Polak Scowcroft, who was once named one of the 100 most powerful women in Canada, is invigorated to be bringing “positive disruption” to Townsville in her role at James Cook University. Moving from a well-established Silicon Valley company to north Queensland is not a common career path, but it’s one Scowcroft is embracing. Her challenge is to develop a mobile application and a digital marketing strategy for an organisation without any previous strategy in place. She leads a team that is 80% female -- an anomaly in the technology space.

Karen Webb COMMANDER, STATE SURVEILLANCE BRANCH, NSW POLICE FORCE

Serving as a police officer for more than 26 years, karen Webb was selected in 2013 for the role of Commander, State Surveillance Branch (Specialist Operations), a covert unit providing surveillance support for all NSW Police commands. As the only female detective on the NSW Police Force Detectives board she embodies the objectives of the Women in Policing Strategic Plan, striving to promote NSW Police as an employer of choice, foster a supportive work place for women in policing, and provide training and development to assist women in building their skills and career.

Michelle Bennetts ExECUTIVE GENERAL MANAGER, AVIATION RESCUE AND FIRE FIGHTING, AIRSERVICES AUSTRALIA

Michelle Bennetts has lead over 850 members of the ARFF group through an unprecedented period of change. Joining the ARFF in 2012 she encountered a workforce that was passionate but disillusioned. Since commencing the role there is now a single, cohesive management team and staff who are engaged and committed to their organisation and a more empowered management team. As a non-uniformed female with no fire-fighting training or experience leading a uniformed male-dominated workforce, Bennetts established the Operational Capability and Advisory committee to ensure members of the Airservices were able to drive initiatives and remain committed to improving the organisation.


in the public sector who has demonstrated a positive and


expertise

Awarded to the organisation that can best demonstrate how a new or reinvigorated

gender diversity initiative is

supporting the recruitment,

retention and advancement of

women.

CaltexCaltex introduced its BabyCare package in late 2012, which is in addition to providing three months’ paid parental leave which has been company policy since 2007. Caltex pays a 3% bonus each quarter to a primary carer once they return to work up until their child’s 2nd birthday. Employees can access five “emergency child care” sessions per annum, valued up to $300 each. New parents are connected with external providers to help them locate childcare before their return to work. The company also provides nursing mothers’ facilities at key workplaces to provide privacy for employers needing to breastfeed or express milk.

rice WarnerTo address the vast retirement savings gap that exists between men and women Rice Warner introduced a new package for female staff in July 2013. The company wanted to leverage its expertise and understanding about superannuation to improve the retirement outcomes for its own female employees. The initiative means Rice Warner’s female employees are offered benefits including flexible working conditions, generous paid parental leave, superannuation payments and long service leave accrued during parental leave, access to educational programs and an additional superannuation payment of 2% of salary. As the program is a ‘special measure’ to achieve equality between men and women, it is not discriminatory.


Best Employer initiative for Women Award

This Award recognises

the significant contribution

of a man or woman whose

determination, commitment

and dedication has changed the

landscape for women within their

organisation or more broadly across

Australian society

David Overall CHIEF ExECUTIVE OFFICER, DOWNER EDI MINING

David Overall is an enthusiastic and effective driver of gender diversity in the mining industry. Under his leadership Downer EDI successfully applied to the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal to hire 50 women-only truck drivers because it is good for business and gender balance. The same ruling means Downer can designate a specific number of waged roles for females, annually, for the next 5 years, without any risk of an anti-discrimination claim. Overall has overseen the appointment of a Minerals Council of Australia taskforce to conduct a stocktake on gender diversity initiatives in the industry between 1998 and 2013 and map out a way forward.

Andrew Brewer MANAGER kURNELL REFINERY, CALTEx kURNELL REFINERY

Andrew Brewer is an engineer and manager who continually advocates for the success of women at Caltex. He has actively challenged the recruitment processes to ensure female talent is considered for all managerial positions, he sponsors several female leaders and potential leaders and champions policies and initiatives to better support women at work. His initiatives have tripled the number of female superintendents (mid-level supervisory level managers) at the refinery. He is a founder and an active steward of the kurnell Women’s Network, which is now a vibrant and thriving support network for females on site.

Amanda Mostyn GROUP ExECUTIVE HUMAN RESOURCES, ASx

Amanda Mostyn has spent two decades working in HR, during which time she has been committed to the advancement and sponsorship of women. For the past 7 years she has worked for the ASx, where she has been a key influencer in developing the company’s own strategy to remove barriers for women in the workplace. In addition to this Mostyn was closely involved in the development and implementation of the corporate governance principles and recommendations to require listed companies to monitor and report on diversity that were introduced in 2010.

FINALISTS CONTINUED OVER PAGE ...


Male or Female Change Champion of the year Award

Continued... Carol Schwartz AM FOUNDING CHAIR, WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE AUSTRALIA

Carol Schwartz formalised her ambitions and advocacy for Australian women through the creation of the Women’s Leadership Institute Australia in 2010. The organisation has been highly influential in shaping public debate as well as implementing high-level practical solutions to rectify the imbalance of women in leadership positions. The Institute has developed programs to increase the number of women on boards, boost the visibility of women in the media, provide executive education to potential female leaders and ensure more women are considered for honours. Schwartz continually seeks to challenge public perceptions to raise awareness of the benefits of gender diversity in leadership.


Male or Female Change Champion of the year Award

Lynn Kraus SYDNEY OFFICE MANAGING PARTNER, EY

As one of the most senior women within EY in Oceania Lynn kraus is regarded as a role model for many women inside EY and actively mentors as many up and coming females as possible. In addition to mentoring kraus leads by example; she is a mother of two who has attained and maintained seniority whilst working flexibly. She is willing to share her experiences to help women in her organisation and has been a staunch advocate of women’s advancement in the workplace.

Diana ryall AM MANAGING DIRECTOR, xPLORE FOR SUCCESS

During her long and impressive career in education, government and business Diana Ryall AM has always believed that time spent mentoring others was extremely valuable. When she founded xplore for Success in 2002 it was to support professional women achieve their ambitions and aspirations. This has opened the door for her to interact with many women to provide ideas, connections and confidence for them to build their futures.

Penny Munro DIRECTOR OF ALLIED HEALTH, SA HEALTH

Penny Munro’s mentoring approach is sincere, holistic, insightful, and always positive. Her mentees say she has an uncanny knack at enabling her mentees to leave their comfort zone and engage in a world that challenges but offers new opportunities and a great sense of achievement. Munro is a unique and inspiring mentor.


Mentor of the Year Award

Awarded to a woman who is using

her achievements, experience and high profile to

mentor or sponsor other women, and help more women

to excel in their careers

Awarded to an inspiring woman who has made a significant and

long-term business contribution

Ann Sherry, AO.............................................................................Ann Sherry AO is a successful and highly effective business leader who has actively promoted gender equality throughout her career. She is currently the chief executive of Carnival Australia, the largest cruise ship operator in Australasia and prior to this spent 12 years working for Westpac.

Arriving at Westpac in the 1990s Sherry was asked by the then chief executive Bob Joss, an American who had arrived and asked where all the women were, what could be done to make the bank an employer of choice. Her answer was simple: offer paid maternity leave.

Less than a year later, under her leadership, Westpac did and it created a domino effect in corporate Australia, with other big businesses racing to introduce their own policies. Countless Australian women are indebted to Sherry for her perseverance and courage in successfully introducing what was a bold and ambitious policy.

Taking that risk paid off as it lifted her profile within Westpac as a leader capable of driving cultural change. She eventually became chief executive of Westpac in New Zealand where she stayed until 2007 and commenced with Carnival Australia.

Before joining Westpac, Sherry was the First Assistant Secretary of the Office of the Status of Women in Canberra, advising the Prime Minister on policies and programmes to improve the status of women and was Australia’s representative to the United Nations forums on human rights and women’s rights.

In 2004, Sherry was awarded an Order of Australia for her contribution to the Australian community through the promotion of corporate management policies and practices that embrace gender equity, social justice and work and family partnerships.

Whilst forging her own impressive corporate career Sherry has championed the importance of gender equality.

Congratulations Ann. We are all grateful beneficiaries of your leadership.


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