EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 2024 / 2025
PRESIDENT AND SPONSORSHIP | PAULA WILLIAMSON
 As
the Senior Private Banker for ANZ Private Sunshine Coast, Paula looks
after an influential group of high net worth clients who rely on her
ability to connect them with specialists who can further support and
enhance their wealth creation strategy. Her desire to provide an
exceptional client experience is evident in her work.Originally
from the Sunshine Coast, Paula has returned after spending her career
to date in North Qld and Northern Territory. Paula notes that working
in regional and remote locations has taught her to be resilient and
resourceful. Throughout her banking career Paula has managed large
teams with a particular focus on consistent service, sales delivery,
compliance and operational efficiency. A change leader at heart, she is
always looking for ways to improve day to day business and client
experience through new ways of working. Paula is particularly committed to helping young women progress, whilst managing the challenges of a fast paced world and motherhood. A long term employee of ANZ, Paula feels the organisation shares her desire to help women succeed in business through flexible working practices and the support of women in leadership. Paula encourages all women in participation, flexibility and the desire for leadership. #equalfuture
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VICE PRESIDENT, ADVOCACY & PR CHAIR |LIZZIE HENEBERY
She works in both traditional and digital media, and is particularly skilled in brand & communication strategy, content writing, public relations and social media. Through living, studying (she's a proud USC undergrad and post-grad Alumna) and working on the Sunshine Coast for most of her life, Lizzie is passionate about supporting this region. She has partnered with business across various industries and has a positive track record of creating strategies that deliver on objectives. Lizzie also works with a number of charities supporting fundraising events that deliver much needed services back to the Sunshine Coast community. Sunny Comms, part of Sunny AdvertisingTREASURER | ANITA CUNNINGHAM
Anita has worked in the accounting industry for over 30 years and specialises in forensic accounting, financial crime, business valuations, family and estate matters. She is a Chartered Accountant (CAANZ), a professional member of the Australian Restructuring and Turnaround Association (ARITA), member of the Family Law Practitioners Association of Australia and the Queensland Association of Collaborative Practitioners and an associate member of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners. Anita is also an accredited Business Valuation Specialist and Forensic Accounting Specialist with CAANZ. Anita’s accounting career commenced in public practice in Noosa Heads. In September 2019, Anita joined Vincents and established their Sunshine Coast office specialising in forensic accounting services. A born and bred local, Anita grew up in the Noosa Hinterland, attended Noosa District High School and has remained on the Sunshine Coast throughout her entire career. Since joining the Network in 2005 and attending events on and off over the years, Anita was reintroduced to the management committee and accepted the nomination as Treasurer in 2018. She was also the treasurer of Suncoast Community Legal Service for six years (2013-2019) and enjoys contributing to the community as a foundation member of the SunnyKids P100 program. When away from the numbers, Anita loves a hit of golf and a quiet red wine. Together with her husband, John, she fosters working dogs through Dogs4Jobs Dog Rescue which provides foster care for animals in need – however at least four of the foster dogs have found their fur-eva homes with Anita and John. | SECRETARY | JAYMEE MORRISON
SCBWN Young Business Woman of the Year 2018. She is proud to work for a local company that values their people and provides opportunities for self and career development in an environment where you can constantly learn and grow. Jaymee is very passionate, motivated and has a strong commitment to developing people. She is a natural role model and inspiration, particularly for women in leadership. Jaymee is an active member of the Diversity committee at Youi leading the Gender Diversity and Family and Domestic Violence strategies for the company. Her mantra is 'she believed she could, so she did', and Jaymee strongly believes you can achieve anything you want, if you set your mind to it and work hard. She applies this in every aspect of her life and inspires others to do the same. EVENTS CHAIR | JULIA JONES-WALKER
After 14 years working in state and federal government communication and stakeholder engagement roles for local Members of Parliament, Julia has recently taken on a new role in community and stakeholder engagement with Unitywater. Julia has a proven track record in building strategic partnerships with government, industry and community stakeholders and delivering communication strategies to engage and inform while building brand, enhancing reputation and mitigating risks. She is known for being a trusted adviser, strategic thinker, problem solver, stakeholder relationship manager and community engagement specialist who is passionate about driving change and making a positive difference. Julia’s history with SCBWN began in 2006 when she was recognised as Corporate Business Woman of the Year for establishing multiple businesses, including a highly successful and award-winning retail furniture and importing business, Global Living Furniture. As Events Chair, Julia will use her talents in engaging and networking to collaborate with government, business and not for profit sectors to create an exciting calendar of exceptional events that empower and inspire our amazing Sunshine Coast businesswomen. |
Lizzie is a qualified, experienced and awarded marketing and communications professional who has a way with words and a penchant for planning.
PROFESSIONAL GROWTH CHAIR | NAOMI ELLIOTT
Naomi Elliott is General Manager of Concept Labs; an innovative and sustainable manufacturing facility on the Sunshine Coast, producing cosmetic, skin care and cleaning products, while embracing their responsibility to co-create a world where each of us, our communities and our planet can flourish. Concept Labs are small enough to care, but large enough to deliver. Concept Labs’ guidance on product development, manufacturing efficiencies and sustainable practices sees their customers able to develop products that are more affordable, viable and with lower environmental impact. Additionally, Concept Labs has the certifications, equipment and experience to develop high quality vegan, organic and cruelty free products. Leading an expanding team in two South East Queensland locations, Naomi takes great pride in inspiring and guiding her team to achieve excellence. Naomi is consistently pushing for the company to make sustainable manufacturing choices and to positively contribute to the local community.These efforts have been recognised with Naomi being awarded the Best Practice Leadership Impact Award for 2020, her team took home two awards at the 2019 Sunshine Coast Business Awards in the Manufacturing (Large Business) & Export categories, and Naomi was recognised as a finalist in the Sunshine Coast Business Women’s Network awards in 2021. COMMUNITY CHAIR | SANDRA PHILPOTT
Sandra’s career achievements have included heading up large marketing divisions at both Telstra and Westpac, as well as time as Vice President of Marketing for GE Capital ANZ, in Financial Services. She was Managing Director of AGC Finance in Sydney, the same location where she was National Manager of Marketing and Communications for the Department of Trade. Sandra moved to Queensland 10 years ago to be closer to family and has since established herself in the NFP sector, more specifically in Health Sector categories of – Disability, Aged Care, Asthma and Epilepsy as well as a recent exec contract as Head of Supporter Experience for Oxfam Australia. Sandra brings a wealth of knowledge around strategy and planning, how to attract and retain funding, as well as an established track record of building brand awareness, engaging with local, state, and federal government in partnering models, funding, and events, and she has a strong corporate communications background. Sandra has mentored and coached women throughout her career and hopes to continue to share her own “lived experience” skills and knowledge across our network. In 2023 Sandra moved to the Sunshine Coast and now runs her own Business and Marketing consultancy, “Simply Strategy” where she looks to support small to medium businesses with their business and marketing planning as well as taking on remote contracts for a range of NFP entities. MARKETING CHAIR | NATALIE CROMBIE
Working in the graphic design, advertising, and marketing industry for 15 years, Natalie has a passion for all things branding and corporate image. Assisting small start-ups through to large corporates, Natalie is a seasoned professional with a wealth of knowledge and possesses specialised skills in coordination, consulting and brand development. She has a deep understanding of the digital marketplace within Australia and excellent program management skills. From this experience, she formed Etch & Co to provide a variety of services to her clients, including design (print and digital), brand strategy, website design and social media solutions. Natalie is passionate about supporting the Sunshine Coast community and is involved with several local charities and events. For the past three years, Natalie has volunteered as Marketing Chair on the Sunshine Coast Business Women’s Network executive committee. She has been a proud member of the network for nine years and is committed to helping other women build their communities and create connections. Previously, Natalie has helped to transition multiple lines of business from Australia to global industry partners in India. During the transition, she provided specialised on-the-ground support for training and deployment. | SPECIAL PROJECTS | CLARE MCCARTHY
Her focus is on supporting and challenging leaders to develop deep self-awareness, believing that this in turn will support their teams and organisations to do the same, underpinning their growth and development. After completing her study in Nursing and specialising in Gastroenterology, Clare spent the early years of her career in Nursing Management. In 1999 Clare became one of the founding partnership group of an Australian based Coaching Company. She focused on the development of the Intellectual Property and support materials which remain as core to the IP offering. Following several successful years building her Coaching practice in Australia, Clare and her family moved to London to launch the Coaching Business in the UK in 2003. From 2004-2009 she was the CEO of the international business which during that period, launched into Europe and the USA. In 2010 she moved to the Middle East to support the launch in the region. Deciding on a change of focus in 2014, Clare then built a successful distribution company which imported and distributed skin care and cosmetics throughout the Middle East. Clare returned to Australia and the Sunshine Coast in 2017. Clare now works with a select portfolio of clients with a focus of business, executive and leadership development. Through owning and operating businesses within Australia, and Internationally within the UK, United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Clare has gained invaluable knowledge and experience in business strategy, leadership, management, management consulting, coaching and entrepreneurship. AWARDS JUDGING CHAIR | MICHELLE HAMER
Michelle subscribes to the mantra 'Everything is possible' and practices an engaging style that integrates business, education and information technology knowledge. Her hands on, down to earth approach not only ensures that her clients and their team are comfortable with and fully engaged in the change process, but her approach also assists in empowering colleagues she mentors within her client base, the various not-for-profit teams she works with, and start-up business women. Over the last 25 years Michelle has grown a strong global network of clients and contacts, assisting businesses at all levels. Her client list includes large law firms such as Dentons, King & Wood Mallesons (KWM), Minter Ellison, Australian Government Solicitor (AGS), as well as organisations such as Icon Group and the Sunshine Coast Council (SCC), to name just a few. |
Clare’s passion is developing current and emerging leaders to become the best version of themselves, believing the balance of cultural and commercial skills underpins this. She is a fierce advocate and supporter of workforce diversity and is committed to developing high performing teams and work environments.
Michelle is passionate about improving productivity and encouraging change that adds value. To facilitate improvement in her clients' businesses, Michelle provides education, assessment, enablement and optimisation utilising clients' software applications.