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It’s our pleasure to announce the 105 finalists of the much-anticipated 2017 Executive of the Year Awards, which celebrate the success, innovation and business acumen of individuals in corporate Australia. With thousands of entries, our 10 experienced judges from a range of industries have had another mighty challenge to determine the finalists in each of the 23 categories, including the pinnacle: CEO of the Year.

This year, the ceremony – hosted again by Eddie McGuire – takes place in the Palladium at Crown Melbourne, Victoria, on 15 November, where more than 550 guests will gather to cheer on their industry peers in a celebration of another year of outstanding personal achievements in business.

Last year’s winner of the highly sought-after CEO of the Year award, Stephen Cornelissen – who is back as a judge for 2017 – said: “To be acknowledged by The CEO Magazine allows me to talk about the amazing work Mercy Health does each and every day. It allows me to highlight the new initiatives we’re embarking on to improve the lives of others.” Christine Holgate, the 2015 recipient of the accolade as CEO for Blackmores, also shared a positive reaction: “I met the Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia, and one of the first things he said to me was, ‘Christine, I believe you were CEO of the Year in Australia. How fantastic is that?’ What a great way to start a conversation with a member of government from another country!”

Chris Dutton, founder and CEO of The CEO Magazine, states that the calibre of applicants is always impressive. “Wading and choosing your way through the finalists to pick a winner proves so difficult every year. The quality, excellence and ability is outstanding. They are all deserving recipients of these awards and we congratulate all of them.”

Click on a category below to see the finalists:

More information about the Awards can be found at executiveawards.com.au.


 

Media Executive of the Year – Finalists

 

Peter Bosilkovski

Peter Bosilkovski

CEO

Leo Burnett Sydney

 

Jason Dooris

Jason Dooris

CEO

Atomic 212° Group

 

Michael Ebeid

Michael Ebeid

CEO and Managing Director

SBS

 

Jaimes Leggett

Jaimes Leggett

Group CEO

M&C Saatchi Group

 

Sean Seamer

Sean Seamer

CEO

MediaCom Australia and New Zealand

 


 

Retail Executive of the Year – Finalists

 

Paula Mitchell, General Manager eCommerce of General Pants Co.

Paula Mitchell

General Manager eCommerce

General Pants Co.

 

Sean Senvirtne, Founder and CEO of MyDeal.com.au

Sean Senvirtne

Founder and CEO

MyDeal.com.au

 

Shelly Sullivan, Founder and CEO of ModelCo

Shelley Sullivan

Founder and CEO

ModelCo

 

Alistair Venn, Managing Director of Menulog Australia and New Zealand

Alistair Venn

Managing Director

Menulog Australia and New Zealand

 


 

Transport and Logistics Executive of the Year – Finalists

 

Bob Black, CEO/COO of StarTrack / Australia Post

Bob Black

CEO / COO

StarTrack / Australia Post

 

Rene Lalande, CEO of Transdev Australasia

René Lalande

CEO

Transdev Australasia

 

Tony Mellick, CEO of Kings Transportation and Logistics

Tony Mellick

CEO

Kings Transportation and Logistics

 

Neil Scales, Director-Geneal of Qld Department of Transport and Main Roads

Neil Scales

Director-General

Qld Department of Transport and Main Roads

 


 

IT and Telecommunications Executive of the Year – Finalists

 

Richard Fiddis, Managing Director - International, Civica

Richard Fiddis

Managing Director – International

Civica

 

Chad Gates, Managing Director of Pronto Software

Chad Gates

Managing Director

Pronto Software

 

Trent Innes, Managing Director of Xero Australia

Trent Innes

Managing Director

Xero Australia

 

Peter Maloney, CEO of GlobalX

Peter Maloney

CEO

GlobalX

 


 

Health and Pharmaceutical Executive of the Year – Finalists

 

Steve Atkins, CEO and Managing Director of Healthe care Australia

Steve Atkins

CEO and Managing Director

Healthe Care Australia

 

Mike Covey, Vice President and Managing Director of Henry Schein Halas

Mike Covey

Vice President and Managing Director

Henry Schein Halas

 

Nathan Cheong, Managing Director of BioCeuticals

Nathan Cheong

Managing Director

BioCeuticals

 

Marcella Romero, Founder and Managing Director of Rehab Management

Marcella Romero

Founder and Managing Director

Rehab Management

 


 

Building and Construction Executive of the Year – Finalists

 

George Boumoussa, CEO and Managing Director of GJ Building and Contracting

George Boumoussa

CEO and Managing Director

GJ Building and Contracting

 

Shane Dignan, Managing Director of Halikos Group

Shane Dignan

Managing Director

Halikos Group

 

David O'Connor, Executive General Manager of Diona Civil Engineering Contractors

David O’Connor

Executive General Manager

Diona Civil Engineering Contractors

 

Ryan Steyn, Founder and CEO of Empower Construction

Ryan Steyn

Founder and CEO

Empower Construction

 


 

Manufacturing Executive of the Year – Finalists

 

Will Barton, CEO of Gundagai Meat Processors

Will Barton

CEO

Gundagai Meat Processors

 

Joseph Di Benedetto, Executive Director of Designer Doorware

Joseph Di Benedetto

Executive Director

Designer Doorware

 

Dr Aniss G.E. Chami, CEO of Vitex Pharmaceuticals

Dr Aniss G.E. Chami

CEO

Vitex Pharmaceuticals

 

Allen Saylav, CEO of AVASS Group

Allen Saylav

CEO

AVASS Group

 


 

Energy and Resources Executive of the Year – Finalists

 

Jim

Jim Athanas

Managing Director Oceania

Xylem Water Solutions

 

Barry Fitzgerald, CEO of Roy Hill

Barry Fitzgerald

CEO

Roy Hill

 

Francois Gouws, Managing Director of TRILITY Group

Francois Gouws

Managing Director

TRILITY Group

 

Ian Testrow, CEO and Managing Director of Emeco International

Ian Testrow

CEO and Managing Director

Emeco International

 


 

Hospitality and Tourism Executive of the Year – Finalists

 

Ramzey Choker, Director and Creative Director of The Grounds

Ramzey Choker

Director and Creative Director

The Grounds

 

Barry Robinson, President and Managing Director of Wyndham Vaction Resorts Asia Pacific

Barry Robinson

President and Managing Director

Wyndham Vacation Resorts Asia Pacific

 

Ann Sherry, Executive Chairman of Carnival Australia

Ann Sherry AO

Executive Chairman

Carnival Australia

 

Steven Wright, CEO of BIG4 Holiday Parks Australia

Steven Wright

CEO

BIG4 Holiday Parks Australia

 


 

Financial Services Executive of the Year – Finalists

 

Vivek Bhatia, CEO and Managing Director of iCare

Vivek Bhatia

CEO and Managing Director

icare

 

Stephen Capello, CEO of BankVic

Stephen Capello

CEO

BankVic

 

Felicity Cooper, General Manager Technology Risk of Commonwealth Bank of Australia

Felicity Cooper

General Manager Technology Risk

Commonwealth Bank of Australia

 

Damien Mu, CEO of AIA Australia and New Zealand

Damien Mu

CEO

AIA Australia and New Zealand

 


 

Professional Services Executive of the Year – Finalists

 

Nick Deeks, Manager Director Australia of WT Partnership

Nick Deeks

Manager Director Australia

WT Partnership

 

Mark Nielsen, CEO APAC of Talent International

Mark Nielsen

CEO APAC

Talent International

 

Andrew Shea, CEO of Builders Academy Australia

Andrew Shea

CEO

Builders Academy Australia

 

Scott Stavretis, CEO of Acquire BPO

Scott Stavretis

CEO

Acquire BPO

 


 

Executive Assistant Executive of the Year – Finalists

 

Jelena Faine, Executive Assistant to CEO for Origin Energy

Jelena Faine

Executive Assistant to CEO

Origin Energy

 

Simone Koolloos, Executive Assistant to Group CEO for Blackmores

Simone Koolloos

Executive Assistant to Group CEO

Blackmores

 

Yasmine May, Executive Assistant for iCare

Yasmine May

Executive Assistant

icare

 

Lily North, Executive Assistant to Managing Director for Halikos Group

Lily North

Executive Assistant to Managing Director

Halikos Group

 


 

Not for Profit Executive of the Year – Finalists

 

Tim Conolan, Founder and CEO of TLC for Kids

Tim Conolan

Founder and CEO

TLC for Kids

 

David Herman, CEO of Lort Smith

David Herman

CEO

Lort Smith

 

Anita Monro, Principal for Grace College

Anita Monro

Principal

Grace College

 

Caitlin Pearson, General Manager of Marketing & Engagement for Macarthur Disability Services

Caitlin Pearson

General Manager of Marketing and Engagement

Macarthur Disability Services

 


 

Start-Up Executive of the Year – Finalists

 

Matt Jones, Co-founder and CEO of OVO Mobile

Matt Jones

Co-founder and CEO

OVO Mobile

 

Simon Meyer, Founder and CEO of FutureYou

Simon Meyer

Founder and CEO

FutureYou

 

Alexis Soulopoulos, Co-founder and CEO of Mad Paws

Alexis Soulopoulos

Co-founder and CEO

Mad Paws

 

Anthony Svirskis, CEO of TRIBE

Anthony Svirskis

CEO

TRIBE

 


 

Young Executive of the Year – Finalists

 

Dr Aniss G.E. Chami, CEO of Vitex Pharmaceuticals

Dr Aniss G.E. Chami

CEO

Vitex Pharmaceuticals

 

Sara Kahlau, General Manager, Office of the CEO of iCare

Sara Kahlau

General Manager, Office of the CEO

icare

 

Kate Massey, Head of Marketing of JCurve Solutions

Kate Massey

Head of Marketing

JCurve Solutions

 

Sean Senvirtne, Founder and CEO of MyDeal.com.au

Sean Senvirtne

Founder and CEO

MyDeal.com.au

 

Sabri Subri Suby, CEO of King Kong

Sabri Suby

CEO

King Kong

 


 

Sales Executive of the Year – Finalists

Sponsored by

Boardpad logo

 

Mike Cameron, Group Executive, Customer & Revenue of PEXA

Mike Cameron

Group Executive, Customer & Revenue

PEXA

 

Steven Hoyle, Commerical Director of Employsure

Steven Hoyle

Commercial Director

Employsure

 

Andrea Ingham, Director of Sales ANZ of Spotify

Andrea Ingham

Director of Sales ANZ

Spotify

 

David Roddick, Sales and Marketing Director of Adshel

David Roddick

Sales and Marketing Director

Adshel

 

John Zisis, Head of Sales, Marketing and Consulting of Stellar Asia Pacific

John Zisis

Head of Sales, Marketing & Consulting

Stellar Asia Pacific

 


 

Marketing Executive of the Year – Finalists

 

Kate Massey, Head of Marketing of JCurve Solutions

Kate Massey

Head of Marketing

JCurve Solutions

 

Tasman Page, Marketing Director of Menulog Australia and New Zealand

Tasman Page

Marketing Director

Menulog Australia and New Zealand

 

Trisca Scott-Branagan, Executive Director, Marketing of Deakin University

Trisca Scott-Branagan

Executive Director, Marketing

Deakin University

 

Julie Toma, General Manager - Marketing and Communications of Sonic Clinical Services

Julie Toma

General Manager – Marketing and Communications

Sonic Clinical Services

 


 

  • HR Executive of the Year
  •  

    Franck Appleby

    Franck Appleby

    People and Performance Director

    Adshel

     

    Natalie Brooke, Human Resources Director of Menulog Australia and New Zealand

    Natalie Brooke

    Human Resources Director

    Menulog Australia and New Zealand

     

    Michael Morris, Head of Talent of Employsure

    Michael Morris

    Head of Talent

    Employsure

     

    Chris Regan, Head of People Experience of Xero

    Chris Regan

    Head of People Experience

    Xero

     

    Maria Ruiz, Chief People and Culture Officer of BankVic

    Mari Ruiz

    Chief People and Culture Officer

    BankVic

     


     

    CIO of the Year – Finalists

    Sponsored by

    Diligent

     

    Peter Auhi, CIO of City of Adelaide

    Peter Auhl

    CIO

    City of Adelaide

     

    George Lymbers, CIO of Thomas Holt

    George Lymbers

    CIO

    Thomas Holt

     

    Leigh Morrow, Chief Digital Officer of Haileybury

    Leigh Morrow

    Chief Digital Officer

    Haileybury

     

    Andrea Walsh, CIO of Isentia

    Andrea Walsh

    CIO

    Isentia

     


     

    CFO of the Year – Finalists

    Sponsored by

    sunsuper

     

    Morten Belling, Finance Director of Menulog Australia and New Zealand

    Morten Belling

    Finance Director

    Menulog Australia and New Zealand

     

    David Colusso, Finance Director Oceania of Xylem Water Solutions

    David Colusso

    Finance Director Oceania

    Xylem Water Solutions

     

    Matt Galanos

    Chief Financial and Operations Officer

    Australian Turf Club

     

    Magdalena Kosior-Molloy, CFO of Holman Webb Lawyers

    Magdalena Kosior-Molloy

    CFO

    Holman Webb Lawyers

     


     

    Chairperson of the Year – Finalists

    Sponsored by

    Australia Institute of Company Directors

     

    Alan Cameron, Chairman of PEXA

    Alan Cameron AO

    Chairman

    PEXA

     

    Greville Pabst, Executive Chairman of WBP Property Group

    Greville Pabst

    Executive Chairman

    WBP Property Group

     

    Gina Rinehard, Executive Chairman of Hancock Prospecting Group

    Gina Rinehart

    Executive Chairman

    Hancock Prospecting Group

     

    Ann Sherry AO, Executive Chairman of Carnival Australia

    Ann Sherry AO

    Executive Chairman

    Carnival Australia

     


     

    Managing Director of the Year – Finalists

    Sponsored by

    Chivas

     

    Jim Athanas, Managing Director Oceania of Xylem Water Solutions

    Jim Athanas

    Managing Director Oceania

    Xylem Water Solutions

     

    Vivek Bhatia, CEO and Managing Director of icare

    Vivek Bhatia

    CEO and Managing Director

    icare

     

    Caleb Bush, Managing Director and Vice-President of George P. Johnson Australia

    Caleb Bush

    Managing Director and Vice-President

    George P. Johnson Australia

     

    Nathan Cheong, Managing Director of BioCeuticals

    Nathan Cheong

    Managing Director

    BioCeuticals

     

    Richard Fiddis, Managing Director - International of Civica

    Richard Fiddis

    Managing Director – International

    Civica

     

    Trent Innes, Managing Director of Xero Australia

    Trent Innes

    Managing Director

    Xero Australia

     

    Alistair Venn, Managing Director of Menulog Australia and New Zealand

    Alistair Venn

    Managing Director

    Menulog Australia and New Zealand

     

    Nick Verykios, Managing Director of Arrow

    Nick Verykios

    Managing Director

    Arrow

     


     

    CEO of the Year – Finalists

    Sponsored by

    Maserati

     

    Jason Dooris, CEO of Atomic

    Jason Dooris

    CEO

    Atomic 212°

     

    Bob Black, CEO/COO of StarTrack/Australia Post

    Bob Black

    CEO/COO

    StarTrack/Australia Post

     

    Michael Edeid, CEO and Managing Director of SBS

    Michael Ebeid

    CEO and Managing Director

    SBS

     

    Barry Fitzgerald, CEO of Roy Hill

    Barry Fitzgerald

    CEO

    Roy Hill

     

    Jaimes Leggett, CEO of M&C Saatchi Australia

    Jaimes Leggett

    CEO

    M&C Saatchi Australia

     

    Mark Nielsen, CEO APAC of Talent International

    Mark Nielsen

    CEO APAC

    Talent International

     

    Sean Senvirtne, Founder and CEO of MyDeal.com.au

    Sean Senvirtne

    Founder and CEO

    MyDeal.com.au

     

    Scott Stavretis, CEO of Acquire BPO

    Scott Stavretis

    CEO

    Acquire BPO

     

    Shelley Sullivan, Founder and CEO of ModelCo

    Shelley Sullivan

    Founder and CEO

    ModelCo