Introducing 2019 Townsville Enterprise Emerging Leaders
Townsville Enterprise is thrilled to present our sixth cohort of bold, bright and talented locals who want to and will be a part of ensuring a prosperous future for Townsville and North Queensland.
Meet our participants.
The Townsville Enterprise Emerging Leaders Program has been inspiring, developing and nurturing new leadership within our region since 2012. This unique program sits within an uncluttered market and features a series of experiences designed to inform, challenge and build capacity of leaders committed to expanding and enhancing their capability to be influential leaders in their organisations and our wider community.
The structure of the Program has been refreshed and revamped this year, where on top of the mentoring element, participants will now have access to a dedicated business coach, proudly sponsored by Queensland Country Credit Union. The Emerging Leaders Program is committed to identifying and developing the leaders of our future, which we believe is an important component of growing North Queensland and securing a strong future for the region.
Alison Scott
Executive Officer
James Cook University
What do you feel are two significant challenges currently facing North Queensland?
A fluctuating economy impacting on business and investor confidence making it more difficult to secure government funding for significant infrastructure upgrades (communications, transport and health). Rural ageing population, ageing health facilities and difficulty attracting and retaining specialist medical professionals to work within regional and remote health facilities.
What do you feel needs to be done to address these issues?
Build and empower the existing business community and encourage them to communicate to a broader market about who they are, and what they can do. Promote North Queensland as a corporate tourism destination.
Andrea Van Grinsven
CEO
Alliance Rehabilitation
What do you feel are the two most significant challenges facing North Queensland?
We have excellent people and great opportunity but my experience in the health workforce is that they are difficult to attract and retain in Townsville. We need to drive modern and innovative practice and opportunity to ensure we stay current and ahead of the challenges. It’s also important to drive technological and innovative business advancement without destroying the ethos and the culture and human aspects that make Townsville a unique and thriving place to live and work.
What do you feel needs to be done to address these issues?
Delivery of modern, progressive and strategically placed business that competes with the attraction of the capital cities and the south east, as well as business that aligns with the culture and feel of the community.
Daniel Pritchard
Sales Manager
Delta Office Solutions
What are your main interests within the city and region and what are you most passionate about?
I have a passion for community events and encouraging positive gatherings of people. I feel that Townsville really shines when we support our larger social events, such as the Cowboys football games, Supercars, and major concerts. I love strong community spirit and celebration and when people gather to support a common cause fuelled by compassion and giving.
What are you looking to gain from the Mentoring component of the Emerging Leaders Program?
I’d like to work with a Mentor who has a similar vision of community and team spirit as me, but also someone who understands the nuances and intricacies of networking and forming strong business relationships.
Jade Parry
Project Engineer
Shamrock Civil Engineering Pty Ltd
How do you expect your local community or region to benefit from your successful completion of the Program?
I have always had a great passion for volunteering and helping where possible, but this program will give me an avenue to become more involved in the local community. I have realised that I cannot gain or give without stepping forward and stepping up. I am excited about the prospects that will come from the program and to be a more active member of the community. Time is one of the most valuable assets that someone can offer, and I look forward to offering mine to local organisations. It will provide an opportunity to gain valuable relationships within the region providing a network linkage to various organisations and opportunities.
Jordan Moore
Director – Ministerial, Parliamentary and Governance
Digital Transformation Agency
What do you feel needs to be done to address some of the issues currently facing the region?
To address crime and unemployment challenges, we need to continue to develop a strong sense of community, something I think Townsville Enterprise and all levels of government are really trying to encourage. We need to advocate for the region and support development opportunities that will provide economic growth in the region and foster growth markets like tourism.
What do you consider are exciting opportunities available to the Townsville North Queensland region?
Our climate and the beauty of the region make it a prime destination to host national and international events. I also believe we have an edge for more industry and manufacturing given our location and facilities, such as rail and port.
Kris Narayan
Project Manager / Senior Civil Engineer
SMEC
What are your main interests within the city and region?
I am passionate about the implementation of strategies that brings the city forward in order to allow Townsville to be a destination of choice for investment, tourism and economic growth.
How do you expect your local community or region to benefit from your successful completion of the Program?
The ability to help the community grow and become more self-sufficient by planning and introducing new major infrastructures, and providing recommendations for new businesses and services locally. This will subsequently support the city to then minimise its dependency on major cities and create more funding and grant opportunities.
Leann Pilcher
Head of Credit and Fraud
Queensland Country Credit Union
What are you most passionate about within the city and region?
I’m passionate about supporting local businesses and initiatives aimed at developing infrastructure to entice industry and families to regional centres.
How do you expect your local community or region to benefit from your successful completion of the Program?
I hope to make connections with local leaders and determine what I can do better to assist our region as I wish for my children to remain in a stable and safe community. I would like to share my skills and passion for a safe and nurturing community by volunteering and assisting wherever I can.
Luke Jackson
Export Manager
Pacific Islands International
What do you think is a significant issue facing North Queensland?
A lot of small businesses are struggling and I think it’s essential we find additional ways to help keep these businesses afloat, particularly during challenging economic times.
What do you consider are the two most exciting opportunities available to the Townsville North Queensland region?
The Stadium will assist the tourism sector immensely; not only for Cowboys supporters but also from the additional events the Stadium can create bringing greater visitation to the region. Opening up international flights to and from Singapore would also provide potential to bring good quality tourism to the region. If sustained over a longer period of time this will create higher end opportunities within Townsville in terms of accommodation, the food and beverage sector, and localised tourism operators.
Mandeep Singh
Manager
PVW Partners
What are your main interests within the city and region?
I am interested in advising small business owners to enable them to better respond to changing trends in local and global markets, be better placed to capitalise on growth opportunities, and help them contribute to the economic development of the region.
What do you consider are the most exciting opportunities available to the Townsville North Queensland region?
Recent announcements for investment to enable infrastructure projects around the region. Capitalising on proximity to China and the development of these business partnerships. A spread of high quality locally owned and operated businesses across all sectors, and locally based high net worth individuals, which combined could present the skills and capital required to capitalise on both local and other growth projects.
Matthew Cook
Associate
Offermans
What do you consider are the two most exciting opportunities available to the Townsville North Queensland region?
The affordability of land in the region is a key advantage North Queensland has in attracting and retaining talent, as affordability is a key issue facing people wanting to start a business. The second critical opportunity Townsville has is its strategic location. In the context of globalisation, Townsville is one of Australia’s closest cities to the economic hubs of the world, is rich in natural resources and has some of the the world’s most fertile agricultural land.
Nicholas Whebell
Business Development Manager
Cleveland Bay Chemical Company
What do you hope to gain from your participation in the Emerging Leaders Program?
I hope to build and extend my network within the region through the program and improve my skills at developing new projects regionally. I see a lot of opportunity in manufacturing products locally from our region’s resources and hope to establish and build a number of projects to achieve this into the future. I hope to create more employment through developing and growing our existing business and establishing some significant projects locally into the future.
Nicole Sorbello
Clinical Coordinator
Alliance Rehabilitation
What do you feel are the two most significant issues facing North Queensland?
I believe the two most significant challenges currently facing North Queensland are maintaining a strong workforce with long term job opportunities and provision of equal opportunities for people in the North Queensland area to access health care. My experience while working at Alliance Rehabilitation has demonstrated the issues community members face in accessing health care both within central locations and in rural or remote areas. There are vast amounts of services we could otherwise provide in North Queensland if we could have better support for local services. This would require investment to develop and retain specialist services in central and remote areas.
Norman Jenkin
Sales and Marketing Manager
SeaLink Qld Pty Ltd
What do you consider are the most exciting opportunities available to the Townsville North Queensland region?
The opening of the North Queensland Stadium and the first phase of the Museum of Underwater Art will see the start of greater opportunity for the local tourism and events sector. From a community standpoint, water security is paramount to ensure the economic future for the region’s agricultural sector and support population growth in Northern Australia.
What are you looking to gain from the Mentoring component of the Program?
I am hoping to gain from a mentoring relationship the perspective of their own journeys from their careers, their values, challenges and their personal career achievements. By this I can apply these learnings to continue to grow as an individual and contribute to the wider Townsville community.
Paul Fitzgerald
Business Partner
Grill’d
What are your main interests within the city and region?
Seeing Townsville grow and reach its full potential is what I’m passionate about. The city has such scope to be a major hub in Australasia. My focus is on the next generation and ensuring they see the viability in the city and region going forward to make it a place that’s attractive for them to stay in and invest for the future.
What do you consider are the two most exciting opportunities available to the Townsville North Queensland region?
Partnership and engagement with Asia through the Singapore Army training agreement and opening the airport up to direct flights to Singapore, as well as Hells Gates Dam and the Burdekin Dam reaching their full potential and transforming the agricultural industry in the region.
Dr Sarah Wilkinson
Head of Dental Services
Queensland Country Credit Union
How do you expect your local community or region to benefit from your successful completion of the Program?
A better understanding of local challenges and opportunities will assist me in making a more valuable contribution to my organisation and to the community. Gaining greater knowledge on the business and political environment outside of my immediate industry will also enhance my contribution to strategic planning and decision making.
What are you looking to gain from the Mentoring component of the Emerging Leaders Program?
I am looking to gain an outside perspective on myself and my work. It will provide an opportunity to talk openly and confidentially to an unbiased, experienced leader who can be a sounding board for ideas and will give honest and constructive feedback, support and encouragement.
Siana Board
Sales & Marketing Executive
Magnetic Island Ferries
What do you consider are the two most exciting opportunities available to the Townsville North Queensland region?
Townsville is currently a blank canvas with its beautiful location and accessibility to the reef, the outback and a tropical island within an hour. We have the perfect opportunity to grow and expand our region and become a hub for North Queensland. Magnetic Island is an amazing opportunity with its unique natural features. It boasts a community with all the modern amenities of the mainland, such as fuel stations, supermarkets and a doctor/pharmacy. Magnetic Island is the jewel of Townsville and should be given the opportunity to be known as ‘North Queensland’s best kept secret’.
