The Women Building Australia Awards are open to all women working in or servicing the building and construction industry across WA. Nominees may be nominated by someone else or they may nominate themselves for one or more of the award categories. The nominees are judged on a range of criteria including demonstrating positive contributions to the industry through a combination of leadership and support of diversity and inclusion. Furthermore, nominees are required to show their commitment to high standards of excellence and continuous learning. This may be demonstrated through awards won, testimonials from peers or clients, or evidence of various personal and professional development achievements. Finally nominees outlined how they are role models for healthy work practices, whether that comes in the form of work-life balance, mental health awareness or an unparalleled commitment to safety.
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From the Executive Director
There was a time when the building industry was seen as male dominated and offering women little opportunity to get a job or develop a successful career. I am pleased to say this perception is changing as the industry evolves and we now have many women working in our sector, taking up training opportunities and considering construction as their vocation. Master Builders of WA is dedicated to recognising and encouraging women in the building and construction industry. Our Women in Building and Construction (or WinBaC) program started in 2004. A dedicated committee was formed, a wide range of events created, and training courses conducted for women. After 16 years of our successful WinBaC program we have rebranded this program to Women Building Australia, which will continue to deliver top class speakers, but also mentoring to women in the industry looking to develop their career. To enhance this program further, we are proud to launch the second year of the Women Building Australia Awards tonight. The awards are open to all within the industry encapsulating On-site, Office-based and Consultant/Professional roles. We were extremely pleased to see such a great response and high calibre of entries, which is a testament to our industry. I wish all our finalists the best of luck and congratulate them for nominating. I hope this will be the start of a powerful program and movement within our industry that you will get behind and support in years to come. Yours sincerely,
John Gelavis Executive Director
From the Minister
Congratulations to Masters Builders on their second year of the Women Building Australia Awards. Now more than ever is the time to the raise the profile of women in the building industry. I am delighted to see a number of Women Building Australia Ambassadors leading the way to inspire women to consider a career in the building industry. Encouraging women in construction at all levels of the organisation will benefit the industry, and I welcome Masters Builders’ efforts to ensure young women are aware of the range of opportunities available to them. I congratulate the nominees and award recipients who have displayed outstanding contributions in this field. I look forward to seeing this initiative thrive over the coming years.
Hon. Simone McGurk MLA Minister for Child Protection; Women’s Interests; Prevention of Family & Domestic Violence; Community Services
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Judging Panel
Hon. Samantha Helen Rowe MLC Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Child Protection; Women’s Interests; Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence; Community Services Samantha was elected to the 39th Parliament of Western Australia in 2013 as a Labor Member for the East Metropolitan Region. She was re-elected in 2017 and 2021. Samantha was Opposition Whip in the Legislative Council from 2013 to 2017. When the McGowan Labor team formed government in 2017, Samantha was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Education. After the state election in 2021 Samantha was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Child Protection; Women’s Interests; Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence; Community Services. Samantha is currently the Deputy Chair of the Standing Committee on Estimates and Financial Operations and a Member of the Joint Standing Committee on Audit. She was previously on the Standing Committee for Environment and Public Affairs for two terms of Parliament and was Deputy Chair of a Select Committee into alternate approaches to reducing illicit drug use and its effects on the community. Prior to entering Parliament, Samantha worked for the American Chamber of Commerce.
Jodi Cant Director General, Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage Jodi Cant is currently the Director General of the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage and has over 23 years’ experience in the public sector. She was formerly the Director General of the Department of Finance and in this role she led the areas of Advisory, Buildings and Contracts and RevenueWA for the state. In her previous role leading Landgate, the business was named Australia’s Most Innovative Government Agency and 19th Most Innovative Business by the Australian Financial Review. Jodi is a transformative leader who embraces disruption with a positive and creative outlook. She is an innovator, collaborator and connector with excellent communication skills. Her experience crosses the government, start-up, private and not-for profit sectors and Jodi brings these perspectives to any challenge she faces. Jodi was awarded the 2020 Telstra Western Australian Business Woman of the Year and also won the Western Australian category for Public Sector and Academia.Jodi is a member of the IPAA WA Council and has previously sat on the Boards of PSMA Australia, PEXA Ltd and earthmineAustralia.Jodi is passionate about making a difference for community good and commercial gain.
Denita Wawn Chief Executive, Master Builders Australia Denita was appointed as Chief Executive Officer of Master Builders Australia in March 2017. She has 20 years’ experience as a leading advocate for industry and employers in the nation’s capital, around Australia and internationally. Her previous roles include CEO of the Brewer’s Association of Australia and New Zealand (Brewer’s Association), Deputy CEO of the National Farmers’ Federation and Executive Director of the Australian Hotels Association. Denita is a Director of Cbus Super Fund and Canberra Grammar School. Her previous corporate governance experience includes roles as Chair of the Worldwide Brewers Alliance, Chair of the Alcohol Beverages Advertising Code (ABAC) Scheme and as a director of Hostplus industry superannuation fund.
Brendon Kay Executive Manager Business Banking, Bankwest After starting his career as a Chartered Accountant, Brendon then moved into Banking and has worked with commercial, corporate and institutional companies throughout a 25-year professional career. A WA Council member of FINSIA, Brendon maintains extensive relationships throughout the Western Australian business community. Brendon is currently responsible for the Asset Finance and Business Deposit teams in Business Banking at Bankwest.
James Moore Corporate Growth Manager for WA, Cbus Super With over 20 years’ experience in the financial services industry, James Moore is the Cbus WA Office Leader. Assisting Cbus members and providing strategic Corporate solutions to Employers and their superannuation needs across Western Australia. James has completed a Diploma in Superannuation covering insurance, investment and is RG 146 qualified to meet the general advice needs of superannuation. James has previously chaired the WA Mother’s Day Classic helping raise millions for the National Breast Cancer Foundation nationally and continues to work towards greater opportunity and gender equality in the construction industry through his work with Hi-Vis Women. James is also passionate about financial literacy and better life outcomes for Indigenous Australians through his involvement with the Cbus Reconciliation Action Plan and the Big Super day out.
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Consultants/professionals category nominees Includes women providing fee for services roles to those in the industry, such as architects, engineers, lawyers and building surveyors etc.
WINNER – Prudence McLoughlin Surveyor, Land Surveys Prudence’s role is very diverse, it consists not only of the practicalities of survey work but communicating with site supervisors, project managers and different tradesmen. Prudence has been a part of the construction of the Art Gallery of WA Rooftop, Penrhos College, and multiple Metronet projects. Prudence has been fortunate to have the opportunity to attend a primary school to assist in a presentation about surveying. The presentation gave an overview of surveying and how diverse the industry is, along with showing that it was a male and female career choice. Prudence leads by example to show the safe methods to complete her work along with assisting anyone that requires it to safely complete theirs. Reviewing SWMS and using prestart meetings to run over the day are key in making sure everyone involved is aware of what is happening. During these meetings Prudence always talks about how electric storms or high temperatures can greatly affect their health.
Office-based category nominees Includes women in roles such as estimating, project management, scheduling, administration, management, sales, contracts etc.
WINNER – Alicia Gangemi Director, Affordable Living Homes In 2005 Alicia was the co-founder and innovator of Affordable Living Homes and 16 years later she continues to oversee the general business from estimating through administration into scheduling and the construction with the assistance of some outstanding departmental managers. During her time at Affordable Living Homes, Alicia developed an Oracle database into a specialized Building Company Software (BCS) to provide inspections reports on Work Health and Safety meetings with site supervisors and construction managers. Alicia created an administration and construction tracking menu system, linked to daily departmental tasks and KPI’s to assist the team. One of the homes built through Broadway for Saba Rose touched her heart and it was the most amazing experience for the entire team including suppliers and contractors all coming together to lend a hand for a little girl in need. Alicia and her family have started a philanthropic fund called the Blue Ripple Foundation, producing back bags for the homeless including toiletries, towels, and socks.
FINALIST – Sandra Kuhn Integrated Management Systems (HSEQ) Manager, PS Structures Sandra’s journey started at PS Structures in 2011 in the capacity of Integrated Management Systems Administrator and was very quickly promoted to Integrated Management System Manager thanks to her work performance and achievements. Sandra developed management plans that any subcontractor and team member could understand. She then created presentations and training programs to ensure all workers were educated in required processes. Sandra is responsible for PSS’ aboriginal engagement to ensure her company exceeds targets set by the Clients & Federal Government Engagement and Procurement Policy. Sandra is a Transformational Leader, working with her team to identify change, inspiration, and guidance. Sandra creates the feeling to her to team to work together and achieve safe working environments. Sandra fully supports mental health and endorses Mates in Construction; they are doing a superb job! It is important to Sandra to have a worklife balance, “work is a means to fund a meaningful life”.
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Office-based category nominees Continued …
FINALIST – Manasvi Hirani Director/Owner, Eleven Property Manasvi is one of the owners and directors of Elven Property. Involved in the business development and management, Manasvi oversees a team of seven staff assisting clients with architectural drawings and property development. Manasvi was raised in and around her father’s construction company in Tanzania. Her background has been genuinely crucial in the construction industry. Starting Elven Property in 2011, Manasvi undertook courses in estimating, scheduling, reading plans and contracts administration with each development. Manasvi was also involved in implementing QA Checklists according to the BCA for each subcontractor’s on-site and QC Checklists for each subcontractor and trade quality. In 2013 Elven Property received an award at the Master Builders-Bankwest Housing in Excellence Awards. As a leader, Manasvi plays an important role in establishing the company’s culture and values. Manasvi encourages cultural diversity within her team and she has been involved in assisting local non-for-profit community groups and assist with community-building projects.
FINALIST – Sabrina Teh Contract Administrator, EMCO Building Sabrina has been employed by EMCO Building since 2011, providing contract administration services to two projects at any one time, specialising in education, recreation, and residential projects. Notably, Sabrina was the Contract Administrator on projects that were finalists in the Master Builders-Bankwest Excellence Construction Awards, Mandurah Catholic College & All Saints College. Sabrina takes up opportunities to attend project meetings and site visits to broaden her understanding of the design and construction process. Earlier on in her career, Sabrina was subject to dealings with subcontractors who did not think that she – as a female - could respond to ‘technical’ queries or requests. This exposure has fuelled Sabrina’s desire to champion the role of women in the building sector. Currently studying a Diploma in Science to improve her ability to support others, Sabrina is also a supporter of demonstration health work practices. Through Kinetica, a not-for-profit circus school teaching circus art to students and adults to promote mental health.
ENTRANTS – Office-Based: Tiffany Allen
Sharon Janssen
Kasey Venter
Chief Executive Officer, Construction Training Fund
Office Manager, Activa Homes Group
Managing Director, Elite Compliance
Debbie Bute
Sandra Kuhn
Bree West
Integrated Management Systems (HSEQ) Manager, PS Structures
Office Administrator, My Homes WA
Nadine Mansfield
Pre-start & Interior Designer, Style Sensations
Energy Compliance Section Manager, Structerre
Kosoula Chase Director, Complete Approvals
Sue Daley Project Director, Maiolo Constructions
Group Sales & Marketing Manager, SSB Group
Fiona Ryan
Director, Affordable Living Homes
Sales, Pre-start, Client Liaison, Accounts, Admin, Marketing & Community Officer, Ben Ryan Building
Rachel Hartwig
Sabrina Teh
Alicia Gangemi
General Manager, Affinity Windows & Head of Marketing, BGC Building Products Group
Contracts Administration, EMCO Building
Manasvi Hirani
Managing Partner, Construction Site Builder, Board Member & Consultant, Vasile Build
Director/Owner, Eleven Property
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Lana Whittleton
Zoe Woods Contract Administrator, EMCO Building
Astrid Vasile
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On-site category nominees Includes women across all site-based roles, such as tradespersons, safety, site managers, supervisors etc.
WINNER – Astrid Vasile Managing Partner, Construction Site Builder, Board Member & Consultant, Vasile Build After obtaining a building license, Astrid began to become the on-site supervisor while juggling the accounts, office management, and managing projects at Vazari. Astrid devotes her career to her team and clients, whilst ensuring 120% customer satisfactions. Astrid has been involved in the delivery of more than $60 million dollars’ worth of construction projects in WA. Astrid was awarded as Business Partner of the year for WA state winner, while sitting at various Board members equipped to share her knowledge with others. Astrid is a mentor to employees in the building industry and graduate students. Outside the building Industry, Astrid is involved in supporting the Australian-Indonesian Businesswomen’s Network members, encouraging them to be leaders in the economy, to create a vision of entrepreneurship. Previously, Astrid has been an active member of Master Builders Australia in Women in Building & Construction Committee, committed to encouraging other women in the industry and support their businesses.
FINALIST – Alysia Harper Carpenter, Cubic Alysia feels fortunate to have been able to complete a mature-age apprenticeship at Cubic Interiors, as a woman within the construction building-male dominant industry. Throughout her career, Alysia has won numerous Awards, which allowed her to use as an opportunity to help inspire and encourage women in pursuing a career in the Building and Construction Industry. In 2019, Alysia was asked to be on the Panel of judges at the NAWIC (National Association for Women in Construction Awards), there was a significant lack of onsite tradeswomen, something Alysia hopes will change. That same year, Alysia was invited to join the Master Builders Future Leaders Committee, an initiative set up to help build a better future for trades and training. Alysia is a strong advocate on safety on any site and work/life balance. Her presence on site encourages peers to discuss their own wellbeing to better promote mental health.
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Women Building Australia Awards KNOW A WOMAN IN THE BUILDING & CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY?
GET READY FOR 2022 Nominees may nominate themselves or be nominated by someone else. EMAIL events@mbawa.com 2020 WBA Nominees pamphlet 2.indd 7
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