Meet the finalists for Rising Star of the Year

This award provides recognition for individuals who show significant promise within their chosen industry or who have reached new goals at the start of their career.
Proudly sponsored by Atlas Copco

At Atlas Copco we believe that diversity in business is a critical driver for our long term success. The Women in Industry awards is a special way in which we can show our commitment to advancing the gender balance in industry. As a global company Atlas Copco recognises the link between diversity and innovation and as we say “there is always a better way” and contributing to these awards is just one way that we can show that Atlas Copco recognises the talent and achievement of females across our industry.

Deanne Heier – Product Performance Specialist, Norkse Skog
Deanna has been with Norkse Skog as a Scientist in the Technical Support and Development team since 2014. In 2019 she was awarded the inaugural Brice Landman Memorial Award for the Young Professional of the Year, recognising pursuit of excellence in her career and the valuable contribution she has made to Norske Skog and the Industry, by demonstrating an outstanding level of professionalism, integrity, and leadership in her position. She has assisted the FC5 project which involves new technology to produce more sustainable, safer and more environmentally friendly alternatives to existing petrochemical-based solvents. Deanne always strives to maintain a positive and professional approach to be a strong leader and role model to others.
Isabella Freeman – Project Manager, RoadTek / Department of Transport and Main Roads, QLD
Isabella has thrived in her job at RoadTek and has demonstrated her hard work through her delivery of over 20 infrastructure projects in just two years. The extensive variety of projects has provided Isabella with confidence in her ability to provide specialist technical advice and strong leadership qualities in ensuring the successful delivery of infrastructure projects across southwest Queensland. Isabella’s achievements reflect how advancing women in STEM, is successful in furthering the number of women who are now choosing engineering as a career path. Isabella is championing women to work and study in a rural and remote area and working with stakeholders within southwestern Queensland to ensure that infrastructure projects are delivered, in a timely, safe, and cost-effective manner, to ensure the road safety of local people and visitors to this region.
Kirstie Looke – Crude Scheduler, Viva Energy Australia
Kirstie has been working at Viva Energy since 2019 and was recently promoted to Crude Scheduler, whereby she manages the units and production for the whole refinery. Kirstie has shown great initiative taking on the gasoline scheduler role, dealing with a wide range of stakeholders. She has shown great initiative and was shown in the development of a new formulation for Vpower that enabled Viva Energy to maintain production while the Residue Catalytic Cracker Unit (RCCU). Kirstie has been a vital part in the operational changes delivering value to the business.
Louisa Janssen – Site Engineer, Fulton Hogan
Louisa Janssen’s career with Fulton Hogan began in February 2019 where she started as a Graduate Engineer and is now the Site Engineer. One of her major projects has been on the Midway Point Intersection Solution Project in late-2020. Louisa has continued to demonstrate excellence in her work and was recently promoted to a Project Engineer position. In her time working with Fulton Hogan Louisa has demonstrated exceptional leadership skills as well as showing great initiative. She continues to uplift others and bring them with her on her journey to success.
Monique Yap – Graduate Engineer, Weir Minerals
Monique Yap is a Graduate Engineer who has shown great growth in her role and has exceeded the expectations at the business. Monique is driving several sustainability projects to reduce waste, emissions and improve efficiencies. She has been working on two projects, the first is the Foundry Furnace Optimisation Project and the second is Field Returns. Both these projects have been championed and driven by Monique and will carry substantial long-term benefits for the organisation both now and in the future. During her time in Sales, Monique has shown leadership, guiding maintenance teams, making recommendations, and delivering training. She has shown a high level of maturity and emotional intelligence in leading people more senior in both tenure and experience than herself.

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