Meet the Finalists!

Business Woman of the Year

Evette Christopoulos
back2health Chiropractic

Evette Christopoulis is founder and director of back2health Chiropractic. In less than three years, it has grown to two chiropractic businesses and been listed in QLD Business Review’s top 400 in 2005 and 2007. Evette has earned recognition at state level. She is serving as a mentor through the Mentoring For Growth Program.

Evette is vice president of the Townsville Chamber of Commerce, past director of the Chiropractors Association of Australia Queensland, past board member of the Australian Institute of Management Townsville. A member of the Business Womens Network and is on the steering committee for Lead On Australia.

Hester Jarvis
Ja Delle Designs

Hester Jarvis of Ja Delle designs has been creating one-of kind spectacular gowns in haute couture, evening, bridal, and fashions-on-the-field, also designing millinery and accessories to match, for the past 10 years. Hester taught in the fashion unit at Townsville Tafe, before opening Ja Delle Designs.

Hester guarantees that one-one-a kind gown on the rack or she can make-to-order. Hester is a well-recognised and respected businesswoman winning numerous awards. One of Hester’s 1950s-inspired beaded bridal gowns won the viewers choice in this year’s NRA Australian Fashion Design Awards. Hester was also a finalist in the Fashions-on-the-Field category.

Annette Elliss
Sturt Business Centre

Annette Elliss of Sturt Business Centre provides book-keeping services supporting more than 50 small and medium-size businesses. She is a Quicken accredited book keeper which involves ongoing support and training to QuickBooks users.

Annette manages Sturt Business Centre, a fully-equipped serviced office providing short and long-term office space including an 18-seat boardroom. Her current venture is Sturt Business Lounge providing office services and space for professionals to conduct their business, or to unwind between meetings while visiting Townsville. She gives back to the community and is treasurer of the Barrier Reef Orchestra.

Kathryn Chapman
Choice Training

Kathryn Chapman managing director Choice Training, a registered training organisation delivering a blend of customised business communication, literacy, numeracy and English language development and trainer training.

Kathryn was awarded the TAFE Staff Excellence award for her work with Riverina TAFE before a sea-change saw her relocate to Townsville. She combined her passion for education with business to branch out as a private RTO, first in a partnership and then on her own with Choice Training. Kathryn’s philosophy is to look at the potential of people, whether it be her own staff or clients employees and build their skills.

Corporate Business Woman of the Year

Kathy Marsh
Kelly Services

Kathy Marsh is business development manager of Kelly Services Townsville. Kelly Services is a publicly owned, international corporate talent management recruitment service with 2700 branches in 37 countries. Kathy joined the newly opened Townsville branch as business development manager in August 2003.

In her first year the company achieved saw unprecedented growth of 325%. Over the next three years, the business had achieved a massive 833% revenue increase and 2427% in profitability. Kelly Services, Townsville is consistently ranked in the top five most profitable branches in Australia.

Sandra Hubert
C Pozzebon & Co

Sandra Hubert is a management accountant for C Pozzebon & Co. who works for a diversified and privately owned group of Businesses. She has gained knowledge working in small firms to multi-nationals in manufacture, agriculture, construction, wholesale, retail, taxation, H R and Property Management.

Sandra believes in giving back to the community and is actively involved on several committees and local organizations. Between her busy career and family life, she is looking at starting her MBA studies but always makes time for family, a game of golf and fishing. Life is short, enjoy it!

Renee Jezard
Conics

Renée Jezard of Conics holds qualifications in Landscape Architecture and Biological Science and has studied Multimedia.

Renée integrates these diverse skills, interests and ideas, in her role as a senior landscape architect / client manager for urban growth and infrastructure consultancy Conics.

In 2006, Renée established a branch of Vivo Design in Townsville. In 2008, Vivo merged with Conics to form part of Conics’ multidisciplinary design team. She also was instrumental in launching the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects Far North Queensland chapter earlier this year.

Kathy Caddy
UDP Consulting

Kathy Caddy of UDP Consulting moved up to Townsville from South Australia in 2003 to take advantage of the weather and lifestyle and her husband and two children are absolutely enjoying it.

She has nearly 20 years experience in different accounting and management roles ranging from assistant accountant, acountant financial systems, commercial manager and now she is flourishing as the business manager for UDP consulting Engineers (a locally owned and operated civil engineering consultancy firm). A committee member for the Australian Institute of Management Regional Committee Townsville) and is a judge for the AIM Management Excellence Awards.

Emerging Business Woman of the Year

Melanie Veitch
She Creative Hair

Melanie Veitch owner, manager and creative director of She Creative Hair, hairdressing salon. The salon is on Gregory Street within the vibrant vicinity of Townsville’s Strand.

The award winning salon is open seven days and three late nights a week. Melanie regularly showcases Townsville’s cosmopolitan style by co-ordinating hair and fashion shows. Her interests include fashion, travel, modern dance and capoeira. Melanie has worked in London, enhancing her hairdressing skills to an innovative and international degree. Melanie and her team just recently styled the models of the Sydney Fashion week, working alongside the industries’ best hair designers.

Shannon Brown
Brown HR Advisory

Shannon Brown owns and operates Brown HR Advisory, a consultancy dedicated to bringing management best practice to local small and medium businesses. Having global corporate experience Shannon’s goal is to bring this expertise to her clients. Services include human resource management, industrial relations, business strategies and management systems.

Shannon’s motivation for establishing her own consultancy is close to heart. She is determined to be a good provider for her family, but more importantly being a hands-on Mum. Future plans for the business include diversification, partnering with ancillary service providers and e-commerce solutions.

Cassandra Waples
Out of the Blue Events

Cassandra is one of Townsville’s leading event stylists, and her business Out of the Blue Events provides innovative event solutions to the wedding and corporate markets in the northern region.

Cassandra has successfully developed North Queensland’s largest modern hire range including gallery beds, stools, lounges, chandeliers and more. She develops and creates event concepts and transforms simple spaces into amazing experiences. Cassandra’s complete can-do attitude has helped her business flourish over the past year and she is now the preferred supplier of many industry leaders.

Emily Brown
Proactive Security

Emily Brown is CEO of Proactive Security. She is originally from Melbourne but moved to Townsville in 2003. Emily has set up a successful and profitable business with a turnover of $940,000 achieved in less than three years. The company is a Registered Training Organisation and tenders for national security contracts, employing 15 staff.

Her leadership, commitment to team work and passion for the security industry can be attributed to her success. A highlight and personal achievements include achieving finalist at the Townsville Chamber of Commerce’s 2008 awards for Businessperson of the Year award.