Women in Industry Awards: 2022 winners

Woman of the Year Sarah Marshall (left), with Master of Ceremonies Jean Kittson.

The Roads and Infrastructure sectors were well represented at the 2022 Women in Industry Awards in Sydney last month.

The Women in Industry Awards recognise the achievements of women across industries typically dominated by men, such as mining, transport, manufacturing, engineering, waste management, logistics and infrastructure.

Held on Thursday 8 September at Sydney’s Doltone House in Jones Bay Wharf, the 2022 awards night celebrated the accomplishments of many exceptional women who have achieved success in their respective industries through commitment, leadership, and innovation.

Fulton Hogan’s heroes

Civil infrastructure company Fulton Hogan was especially well represented this year, accounting for five of the 12 awards presented on the night.

Sarah Marshall, Construction and Infrastructure Executive at Fulton Hogan, took out both the prestigious Woman of the Year Award, as well as the Excellence in Construction award.

A passionate leader, Marshall has spent her career pushing for positive change in the construction sector. This has involved driving sustainability, improving culture, tackling mental health issues, increasing Indigenous engagement and procurement, and improving gender diversity.

Fulton Hogan Chief Executive Officer Duncan Gibb said Marshall’s contribution to the company had been immeasurable.

“Whether it be her insatiable appetite for taking on new challenges, an unparalleled work ethic, or her ‘say it as you see it’ style, it is impossible to question her impact on the business,” he said.

“Harnessing resources across the multiple regions, sectors and disciplines of Fulton Hogan, Sarah has helped make significant progress in our journey towards becoming an employer of choice.”

Other finalists in the Excellence in Construction category included Biljana Stanic (Martinus) and Emma Muller (Horizon United Group).

Joanne Jeffs, People Project Manager at Fulton Hogan, was awarded the Social Leader of the Year award – sponsored by Komatsu – from a group of finalists including Emma Muller (Horizon United Group) and Kelsey Smith (Roy Hill).

During her time with Fulton Hogan, Jeffs has championed and delivered on strategies for diversity, inclusion, and community engagement – including the ‘Kicking Goals Program’, a coaching and mentoring program for First Nations employees.

Nina McHardy, Fulton Hogan’s Regional Communications and Stakeholder Manager for Victoria and Tasmania, won the Industry Advocacy Award for her work in breaking down barriers for women in the construction industry, as well as driving meaningful engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and businesses. She has also been instrumental in building partnerships between Fulton Hogan, the AFLW, and amateur football clubs.

Other Industry Advocate finalists included Lina Goodman (Tyre Stewardship Australia), Sarah Vogler (United Carriers), and Yvette Mihelic (John Holland).

The Safety Advocacy Award was won by Barbara Pitsos, who has been with Fulton Hogan in various safety roles since 2016. She currently manages a team committed to the safety of all staff and contractors, while also working to promote and maintain the company’s strong safety culture.

Pitsos and her team created the ‘Stay Safe Not Silent’ safety video campaign, which has had an enormous impact across the business, as well as garnered praise from Worksafe.

Other finalists in this category included Annastasia Denigan (Qube), Felicity Hall (CJC Management), and Michelle Cowper (Viva Energy Australia).

Leading the way

The Mentor of the Year award went to Danielle Bull, General Manager Operations at WesTrac Cat. Always looking for new avenues to promote success for women in business and industry, Bull has taken on numerous official and unofficial mentoring arrangements throughout her career.

In her role at WesTrac, she actively seeks out and cultivates new mentor-mentee relationships between people in the business. In 2022, she co-founded Industrious Women Networking in the Newcastle and Hunter region, which attracted 100 women to its inaugural event in April.

Other nominees included Anne-Laure Saluden (Transdev Sydney Ferries), Deb Scown (Ampol), and Kari Banick (Linfox).

A transport legend

Frances Ross, Co-Founder of Ross Transport, was recognised for a long and successful career with the Excellence in Transport Award. Ross started the business with her late ex-husband Reg in 1975, before taking over the business in 1989 with her son Alan. She has steered Ross Transport through some challenging times, her strength and resilience providing a sense stability and calm to her family and business alike.

At the age of 81, Ross is still involved with the business today, overseeing office staff while training her granddaughter to take over the business. She has taken part in the i98FM Illawarra Convoy since 2005, helping to raise more than $15 million for the local community, as well as donating almost $915,000 on behalf of the Ross Transport family in that time.

Other finalists included Joana Feiteira (Transdev Sydney Ferries), Priya Perera (Department of Transport), and Stacey Davies (Daimler Truck & Bus).

Engineering success

The Excellence in Engineering award was won by Louise Adams, Aurecon’s Group Chief Operating Officer and former CEO for Australia and New Zealand. With more than 20 years’ experience as a Chartered Civil Engineer, she became the first female Executive Director on Aurecon’s Board in 2013.

A passionate advocate for female leadership and equality within the fields of STEM, Adams has developed a reputation as a well-respected, empathetic, and effective leader, and a valued keynote speaker at engineering industry conferences. She is a member of Australia’s Chief Executive Women (CEW) group and was awarded a CEW Scholarship to attend the Wharton Business School in 2018.

Other finalists in the engineering field included Brenda Denbesten (BHP), Maria Hill (Hitachi Rail), and Sarah Stante (CJC Management).

The full 2022 winners list: