Meet the finalists for Social Leader of the Year
This award recognises individuals who have significantly effected positive change within their local or regional community.
Proudly sponsored by Komatsu
Komatsu’s philosophy is passed down from generation to generation through our principles, strategies and the belief that Corporate Social Responsibility is part of our core business and the value we create. In regions across the globe, Komatsu continues to provide products and solutions which address social needs and give back to communities where we do business by leveraging skills and passion of our people. We seek to play an active role in supporting the long-term success of society through sustainable efforts that reach far beyond Komatsu which is why we have decided to sponsor the Social Leader of the Year category.
Anne Williams – Plant Operations Manager Rail, John Holland
Anne Williams is changing the face of rail in Western Australia while also implementing cultural changes to develop and maintain a more diverse and inclusive workforce. She has been in the John Holland company for more than 22 years and is excelling in her current role as the Plant Operations Manager. Her self-belief and resilience have been a driving motivation for her ongoing commitment to creating pathways and making it easier for others to work within the industry. Anne’s active involvement in the industry and the wider community is how she became aware of the Clontarf Foundation and its mission. Further, Anne’s passion for providing apprenticeship programs and opportunities for young people and new entrants are resulting in powerful and meaningful change across the industry.
Jane Tiller – Ethical, Legal & Social Advisor, Monash University
Jane is an ethical, legal, and social adviser and genetic counsellor, working in genomics in public health. Jane has brought her legal and regulatory expertise to the field of public health and has spearheaded various unique public health efforts since her transition. As a founding member of the Australian Genetic Non-Discrimination Working Group, Jane has brought together several prominent Australian researchers and clinicians who had previously made concerted efforts to influence policy regarding genetic discrimination in life insurance. Jane’s leadership and passion for public health and real transformational change through research translation has galvanised many past advocates into fresh action, providing a new platform for collaborative efforts from a multi-disciplinary, national team.
Jo Withford – Senior Project Engineer, Transport for NSW
With over 23 years of road and bridge construction experience, Jo has a strong knowledge of project planning, construction, and maintenance issues. Jo commenced her career in the construction industry with Leighton Contractors before heading into the design of prestressed concrete structures. She then expanded that experience as the Planning and Development Engineer in Darwin before commencing at Roads and Maritime Services where she has spent the past 19 years building and maintaining road infrastructure across the Newcastle Region. Jo has been able to successfully manage great work/life balance during her engineering career and raising three daughters. Jo has always been passionate about encouraging young girls and women to study and stay in STEM and this has been demonstrated by her active involvement in Engineers Australia as a Fellow Member and speaking at numerous Primary School and High Schools in the Hunter Region.
Penelope Twemlow – Director, KPMG
Penelope is a multi-degree qualified professional with 16 years’ experience in strategic and operational management, project and risk management, and governance and compliance. Penelope is also the Founder and Chair of Women in Power whose mission is to promote and improve the electrical and electrotechnology industry by the advancement of women within it. Her ongoing work involves keynote speaking, reports and tabled data to Parliament and key decision-making authorities, ongoing communication of key initiatives to community, and an increase in funding through her organisation, Women in Power.
Pranjal Pawar – Project Manager, Development Victoria
Pranjal is a Project Manager based in Melbourne working at Development Victoria. Pranjal has played a key role in helping her organisation look at different ways to incorporate environmental wellbeing initiatives within the projects DV deliver. This has included investigating ways to enable more sustainable waste management practices on site to looking at ways at how sustainable design can be mainstreamed. Pranjal lead the design phase of the State Netball and Hockey Centre redevelopment project and successfully implemented a variety of Environmentally Sustainable Design initiatives within the project’s design brief.