Westpac names winners of WIB awards

Business, Normal
Source:

The National -Friday, October 21st 2011

By ANCILLA WRAKUALE
COURAGEOUS, inspirational and fabulous women of Papua New Guinea converged at the Crowne Plaza hotel’s ballroom on Wednesday night for the 2011 Westpac women in business awards.
PNG Westpac managing director Ashleigh Matheson said Westpac was keen on helping women develop in their career to enable them take up leadership roles in business.
This was  the fifth year that the awards were given to outstanding women in business.
This year’s overall winner and the SP Brewery entrepreneur award winner was Sarah Haoda Todd.
She is the managing director of Lae Everclean Ltd, a successful corporate cleaning service based in Lae with an office in Port Moresby.
The women participants thanked Westpac for the great initiative to recognise the women in their respective endeavours.
The PricewaterHouseCoopers (PWC) private and corporate sector award went Monica Toisenegila, who is group human resource manager with Steamships Trading Co.
Naomi Faik-Simet, the only dance researcher in PNG, was awarded the Mineral Resource Development Co (MRDC) public sector award for her outstanding contribution in promoting PNG dances and culture.
Sylvia Pascoe, director of Image Promotions/Zumba PNG was awarded the young achiever’s award.
The Trukai community responsibility award was received by a humble HIV/AIDS advocate in Rabaul, Rosemary Vartuam Sovek.
Todd attributed her success to her loyal employees where she always encouraged them “to be professionals in their job”.
 “It was amazing and I am very humble and honoured.
“Westpac is concentrating on women and I think it is a great thing,” she said.
The judges said Todd was a passionate business leader and an outstanding example of a high achiever.
Adam Downie, head of Westpac retail banking and one of the eight judges, said Todd valued her employees as the number one asset of her business and that she had a dedicated and loyal team of employees.
 “The high standard Sarah has set for herself and her employees has built a strong reputation for customer service and professionalism,” Downie said.
The 10 finalists each received Digicel gift packs and K1,000 shopping voucher each from Brian Bell.
The five award winners also received a BlackBerry handset each and K100 credit from Digicel and K2,000 shopping each from Daltron.
The overall Westpac women in business award winner also received all-expenses paid trip to Australia to attend Westpac’s women’s market workshop.