An army leader who ensures the provision of healthcare to thousands of Australian Defence Force members has been named the 2015 Telstra Australian Capital Territory Business Woman of the Year
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Brigadier Georgeina Whelan, who is director-general of the Defence Department's Garrison Health Operations, was bestowed with the honour at a dinner at the National Arboretum Canberra on Friday night.
Her branch is responsible for leading 54 military health facilities and 1800 staff across Australia, providing healthcare to 56,000 full-time and 15,000 part-time ADF members.
With more than 30 years' of military service, Brigadier Whelan also commanded the Anzac Field Hospital following the devastating Boxing Day Tsunami in 2004, deployed at the time to Northern Sumatra, Indonesia.
Brigadier Whelan also won the Government and Academia Award at the 21st annual Telstra ACT Business Women's Awards, which was attended by Minister for Women Yvette Berry
The army veteran said her forte was the ability to manage, lead and inspire her team to achieve success.
"I am not afraid to ask questions, champion new initiatives and encourage innovation," she said.
"The world needs women who inspire commitment, loyalty, excellence and diversity to deliver great outcomes irrespective of the field they are in. I am passionate about ensuring that the ADF delivers high-quality care to our ill, injured and wounded personnel and I am driven to continually improve the healthcare services accessed by our members."
Telstra chief operations officer and Telstra Business Women's Award ambassador Kate McKenzie said Brigadier Whelan, and all the ACT winners, had achieved impressive results in their respective areas of business.
"The 2015 Australian Capital Territory winners are brilliant business women who are passionate, courageous and are willing to challenge the accepted way of doing things," she said.
Ms McKenzie said the Telstra Awards judges commended Brigadier Whelan's commitment to challenging the status quo and bringing transformation to the ADF's healthcare services, as well as being an advocate of diversity and inclusion.
"Georgeina has completely reformed healthcare at the ADF. Her energy and commitment to putting our ill, injured and wounded soldiers first has not gone unnoticed. She has not only made them a priority but has evolved the way we take care of our officers and their families."
The award winners came from a range of industries.
The Start-Up Award went to Jessica May, of Enabled Employment, an online portal offering flexible employment for people with a disability or ADF members with post-traumatic stress and other injuries. Her diagnosis with a panic disorder after the birth of her first child was the catalyst to starting up her own business.
The Corporate and Private Award went to Sarah Valentine, director of corporate affairs and communications at Raytheon Australia, who has responsibility for Australia, Japan and South Korea.
The Young Business Women's Award went to Joanna Richards for the innovative laundry detergent, Solution Solution, which removes makeup without damaging clothing.
The Entrepreneur Award was picked up by Karen Porter, owner of Solace Creations Double Glazing. The former public servant and mother-of-five in four years has grown the business from a start-up to one with a $3.5 million turnover.
Philippa Moss, executive director of the AIDS Action Council went home with the For Purpose and Social Enterprise Award, judges impressed by her ability to thrive in a sector that still suffers under significant stigma.
The ACT winners will proceed to the national finals in Melbourne on November 18.
