Awesome Women

As the AWIC North Queensland Roadshow (16th – 24th October 2023) was coming to an end, we took the opportunity to have a chat with Kim Allen from CRA Construction and Angela Hucker from Empowering People in Construction (EPIC). We asked them what their highlights of the Roadshow were. Kim owns CRA Construction alongside her husband Chris, a residential high end plastering company. Together they&#3...

Kim owns CRA Construction alongside her husband Chris, a residential high end plastering company. Together they've built up a team of full time employed, qualified, going above and beyond the national standard to complete superior finishes. Kim flew up and joined the AWIC North Queensland Roadshow (16th – 24th October 2023) in Cairns. It was great having Kim join us as we visited a wide range...

In 2022, Jennah was named the Queensland Apprentice of the Year and Australian Apprentice of the Year at the Australian Training Awards.  Jennah join AWIC in Cairns, the third leg of the North Queensland Roadshow, 16th – 24th October 2023. Jennah joined us and industry colleagues for a day of immersion into the construction industry and then attended the networking event as the guest speaker.  As...

Jo is passionate about encouraging women of all ages to unleash the full force of their potential, achieve greater levels of self-sufficiency and fulfilment and create a more sustainable way of working, in particular within Non-Traditional Roles.  She is all about finding an appreciation for the world of possibilities that await when you’re prepared to throw aside self-imposed limitations. Everyon...

Fiona believes STEM Education should be accessible for everyone and believes helping children develop skills in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics will prepare them for a future where they can make a difference.  AWIC was fortunate to have Fiona join us in Mackay for the first day of the North Queensland Roadshow, 16th – 24th October 2023. We enjoyed the time we had Fi...

As a Transformational Health & Business Consultant with over 15+ years in Health & Leadership in corporate leadership, and 20 years of clinical experience as a Nurse in Intensive Care and Mental Health, it has always been Joan’s mission to make a difference and create change in people’s lives. She found herself called to integrate other modalities into her scope of practice such as a Diplo...

Mel’s background is in manufacturing. Having started her career in a traditional apprenticeship. Her experience in this industry lead her to become involved in all aspects of business. Mel has had 28 years’ experience in the Manufacturing Sector in Queensland in a range of roles from Communications & Marketing to Sales and Operations Management and Environmental Standards in a Global Company....

Dani heads the management team at Rock Up Group, a company that operates within, and serves the needs of the concrete polishing industry. Rock Up Group has been at the forefront of the concrete polishing industry over the past 12 years operating under strict, measurable quality standards. Their work has spanned from large high-end retail and commercial fit outs through to boutique architectural ho...

Through her coaching, training, speaking, and writing Cassandra empowers leaders to be true to themselves at work as the catalyst for the co-creation of workplaces where people can thrive, perform, play and belong. Cassandra has a background as business executive. She was the Global Director of Employee Experience at Bupa. In this role she was accountable for the activation of the organisations’ p...

Established in 2016, Megan Nastrom is the Co-Founder of Ultra Living Homes. With a degree in accounting, Megan’s initial role was predominantly in running the accounts department and HR. Over time, this evolved to overseeing the entire business to assist in propelling it forward, navigating through Covid and the challenges that came afterwards and improve the businesses client inclusions offerings...

Kristina brings vision and structure to Alder Constructions with her intuitive approach. Her industry experience, creative skills and collaborative style have enabled the organisation to build new business pathways, through high quality bid management, inspired community engagement programs and true leadership in support of our core goals and objectives. As a leader within Alder Constructions, Kri...

Angela is CEO and Founder of EPIC and is a highly experienced professional with a diverse background in the construction industry spanning over 20 years. Her journey began at a young age, working on her father's turf farm and later joining his landscaping business during her high school years. After finishing high school, she then moved into a role that saw her managing a chain of locksmiths s...

Kim is the Co-Owner & Office Manager of CRA Construction. A Brisbane based plastering company focusing on high-end architectural homes within Brisbane's inner-city. Website | Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn

Anthony Ikin is widely renowned for his never-ending optimism, generous spirit and unique dance moves. In fact those signature dance moves, coupled with his driven and determined mindset, led him to become the World Aerobic Champion, a top 10 finalist on the popular television show, “So You Think You Can Dance” and a soloist in the world-famous Parisian cabaret, “Moulin Rouge.” Pirouetting from on...

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Georgi Le Lay is the Director and Operations Manager at Rocket Building Approvals. Georgi was awarded Employer of Choice at the inaugural AWIC Awards in 2022. Website | Instagram

Jess is the Development Manager for Coast2Bay Housing Group - a regional Community Housing Provider based on the Sunshine Coast. Jess has worked in development and construction in Qld and WA for over 15 years across public, private and not-for-profit sectors. As Development Manager, Jess is responsible for delivering new residential homes and communities that transform lives - providing safe and s...

Tanya Meessmann is the founder and CEO of social enterprise Girl Shaped Flames, not-for-profit UNIQ You and now the Trellis Collective consultancy. Thoroughly dedicated to addressing gender inequality within male-dominated industries (and armed with international insights and experience) Tanya has not only worked with over 4000 teenage girls, their parents and educators facilitating powerful confi...

If you have women in your workplace, then periods are something you have to start talking about and start considering in order to show true care for your employees. For too long, women have experienced shame and embarrassment around a completely natural thing that happens to their bodies every month. It can cause them discomfort, pain and even lead to needing time out from work. All of this is mea...

Keeley Tilbrook is 17 years old and currently in her second year as an Electrical Apprentice with Dawson Electric. At just 17, Keeley took home the inaugural AWIC Award for Professional of the Year in 2022. Keeley spoke of her tenacity and drive in her AWIC nomination: “I think what makes me an AWESOME woman in construction is my positive perspective on all aspects of my work and my genuine love f...

Kassandra Behrendt is the founder and owner of Pagoni, a Brisbane based jewellery label. A self-taught jewellery designer, she has been meticulously handcrafting exclusive one-of-a-kind designs for over two decades. Kassandra’s passion for her art is what makes her stand apart. Known for her keen eye and sense of style, Kassandra offers her clients a bold alternative to what’s currently available...

Ally Kelly is the Chief Executive Officer & Founder of Mind Blank a mental health promotion charity. Selected as the 2021 Suicide Prevention Australia Outstanding Contribution Award winner, Ally is passionate about difference to empower people to implement mental health strategies and have conversations that save lives. Since the pandemic commenced in 2020 she has supported over 500 WH&S O...

Prav Singh- Pillay is the Principal Lawyer of Cornerstone Law Offices. She became a lawyer 25 years ago, being one of the first graduates of Griffith University’s Law/Commerce Degree program. She has worked in the legal industry in Australia and California. In 2014, Prav and her business and life partner, Bob Pillay,  opened the doors to Cornerstone Law Offices Pty Ltd. Whilst Prav’s passion...

This podcast series is proudly supported by the Queensland Mental Health Week Community Events Grant Program.

Jo Stevens from The Zen Zone is a mother of two adult children and has been married for 25 years. In 2014 Jo’s husband was diagnosed with PTSD, it was an extremely difficult time for Jo and her family and her own mental health was impacted. It was through her families mental health journey that Jo learnt the importance taking back control of her own mental wellbeing and now her goal is to help oth...