Telstra launches 2011 Business Women’s Awards

| May 2, 2011




Telstra has launched the 2011 Business Women’s Awards which have over the last 16 years uncovered amazing and inspiring business women and their extraordinary journeys.

Almost a quarter of women recognised as inspirational leaders in business through the Telstra Business Women’s Awards have joined a board following their success.



The promotion of women to board roles is one of the benefits recent winners and finalists say followed their participation in the Awards program, according to a survey released today (2 May) to mark the launch of the Awards.

The survey of Awards winners and finalists from 2006 to 2010 also found 38 per cent expanded their business; 43 per cent reported wider business networks; 40 per cent had become a mentor to other business women; and 51 per cent enjoyed higher self-confidence in their business career.

Telstra Group Managing Director Innovation, Products & Marketing and Telstra Business Women’s Awards Ambassador Kate McKenzie said the awards are open to business women from across Australia and the awards alumni surveyed urged other women to enter and enjoy the experience.

“For many women, increasing their business networks and enjoying a boost in their confidence are tangible rewards from participating. They say the Awards program provides personal opportunities and public profile they could never have predicted.”

Since 2010 Telstra has been an active supporter of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and its range of initiatives that seek to grow the number of women on Australian boards – now 11.7 per cent of ASX 200 companies.

“Telstra believes the recognition of business women through the Awards can contribute to encouraging greater gender diversity and equality in business,” McKenzie said.


2010 Telstra Australian Business Woman of the Year and Managing Director of Rio Tinto subsidiary Dampier Salt Limited Denise Goldsworthy urged business women to enter the Awards.

“Make 2011 the year you bite the bullet and give it a go. There is a suitable category for everyone,” she said.

“The Awards process provided me some amazing opportunities and increased my self-confidence. More inner strength has come from the knowledge my capabilities were assessed by some very experienced CEOs.”

Entries for the 2011 Telstra Business Women’s Awards close on 20 June. They provide the honour of winning Australia’s most prestigious business women’s prize as well as substantial recognition for finalists and winners and a share in more than $200,000 in cash and prizes.

There are three qualifying categories in the Awards:

Commonwealth Bank Business Owner Award – open to owners with a 50 per cent share or more in a business with responsibility for key management decision-making

Hudson Private and Corporate Sector Award – open to employees in the private and corporate sectors or owners with less than a 50 per cent share of a business

White Pages Community and Government Award – open to employees in government departments, statutory bodies and not-for-profit organisations

There are two specialist categories:

Nokia Business Innovation Award – All entrants will be considered for this Award that recognises the successful introduction of innovation within a business or workplace

marie claire Young Business Women’s Award – open to all entrants in one of the three qualifying categories who are aged 34 years or younger as at 30 June 2011

Awards are offered in each category in every state and territory and winners will be announced between 16 September and 18 October.

State and territory winners are eligible for the national Awards which will be announced at the 2011 Telstra Australian Business Women’s Awards in Melbourne on 18 November.

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