Female CEO of the Year Awards 2024 Business Transformation Advisory CEO of the Year 2024 (Canada): Sara-Mae Amde & CEO Monthly ESG Excellence Award 2024 Based in Calgary, Alberta, Paragon Digital Consulting is a business transformation services company comprised of a team of expert Advisors passionate about helping organisations achieve operational optimisation, high employee engagement, and total stakeholder alignment. Renowned for its high quality, tailored solutions, Paragon Digital Consulting is helmed by industry innovator Sarah-Mae Amde, who has been recently named in the Female CEO of the Year Awards 2024. Join us below as we take a closer look at Sarah-Mae’s journey, and how she has driven Paragon Digital Consulting to excellence.
About the Female CEO of the Year Awards 2024 CEO Monthly proudly presents the Female CEO of the Year Awards 2024, celebrating the third consecutive year of honouring the world’s most distinguished female CEOs. This esteemed awards programme is dedicated to women who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, steering their organisations toward growth, innovation, and success despite the everchanging business environment. The Female CEO of the Year Awards 2024 targets visionary female leaders who have significantly contributed to their firms and set new benchmarks in their respective industries and communities. We aim to spotlight those who have embraced agility and flexibility to adapt to rapidly evolving market conditions, ensuring their organisations stay ahead in the competitive landscape. In 2024, women CEOs have made impressive gains, representing over 10% of Fortune 500 leaders. Sectors like healthcare, financial services, and industrials have seen significant female representation, with accelerated growth in executive roles. Women’s leadership in EdTech and HealthTech is also increasing. Companies with more women in leadership report superior financial performance, highlighting the benefits of gender diversity. Despite some underrepresentation in sectors such as finance and energy, the overall trend is positive. Although challenges remain, there has been an increase in senior positions held by women. This progress not only dismantles stereotypes but also fosters innovation and profitability. The rising number of female CEOs and executives underscores the ongoing advancements and positive impact of gender diversity in the corporate world. Sofi Parry, Senior Editor Website: www.ceo-review.com AI Global Media, Ltd. (AI) takes reasonable measures to ensure the quality of the information on this web site. However, AI will not assume any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, correctness or completeness of any information that is available through this web site. If errors are brought to our attention, we will try to correct them. The information available through the website and our partner publications is for your general information and use and is not intended to address any particular finance or investment requirements. In particular, the information does not constitute any form of advice or recommendation by us or any of our partner publications and is not intended to be relied upon by users in making or refraining from making any investment or financial decisions. Appropriate independent advice should be obtained before making any such decision. Any arrangement made between you and any third party named in the site is at your sole risk and responsibility.
4. Paragon Digital Consulting: Business Transformation Advisory CEO of the Year 2024 (Canada): Sara-Mae Amde & CEO Monthly ESG Excellence Award 2024 6. Moore Transport Solutions, LLC: Emerging Logistics Businesswoman of the Year 2024 (Utah): Mariah Tyler Moore 8. Elmtree Learning Partnership Ltd: Alternative Education CEO of the Year 2024 (South West England): Sarah Morrison 9. Outsource Development Studio Inc: Management Consulting CEO of the Year 2024 (Caribbean): Natasha Yeeloy-Labad 10. Furniture Reuse Solutions, Inc: Best Furniture Sustainability CEO 2024: Megan Draper 11. Capital Luxury Residences Pty Ltd: Best Residential Property Development CEO 2024 (Eastern Australia): Alissa Birch 12. Zaplox: Best Hospitality Guest Innovation CEO 2024: Tess Mattisson 13. AmCham Australia: International Business Community CEO of the Year 2024 (APAC): April Palmerlee 14. Oobli, Inc: Most Innovative Food Technology CEO 2024 (California): Ali Wing 15. Inclusee: Aged Care CEO of the Year 2024 (Australia): Rachael Cook Contents
CEO MONTHLY | Female CEO of the Year Awards 2024 4 Business Transformation Advisory CEO of the Year 2024 (Canada): Sara-Mae Amde & CEO Monthly ESG Excellence Award 2024 aragon Digital Consulting was founded in 2005 with the aim of aiding businesses to attract more customers, streamline their processes, and overall enhance their business in order to achieve optimal results. As the marketplace evolves over time, more and more businesses are struggling to adapt their processes in accordance with the latest technologies, emerging trends, and shifts in consumer behaviour. Driven by dedicated professionals, Paragon Digital Consulting promises to act as a partner to its clients’ businesses, leveraging speed, integrity, and purpose to empower them to thrive. Over two decades of operations, the company has grown from solely supporting local businesses to pioneering the market in business acceleration and lending its expertise to organisations of all sizes. Sarah-Mae Amde, Founder of Paragon Digital Consulting, is an award-winning executive advisor, author, and business leader with a proven track record of delivering largescale transformations with sustained business value. Sarah-Mae founded Paragon Digital Consulting with the vision Nov24084 Based in Calgary, Alberta, Paragon Digital Consulting is a business transformation services company comprised of a team of expert Advisors passionate about helping organisations achieve operational optimisation, high employee engagement, and total stakeholder alignment. Renowned for its high quality, tailored solutions, Paragon Digital Consulting is helmed by industry innovator Sarah-Mae Amde, who has been recently named in the Female CEO of the Year Awards 2024. Join us below as we take a closer look at Sarah-Mae’s journey, and how she has driven Paragon Digital Consulting to excellence. P of creating better ways for businesses to grow and leave legacies that stand the test of time and, thanks to her vigilantly perfected approach, has achieved this mission tenfold. For Sarah-Mae, being a consultant is far more than just a career choice; strategic planning and change management are integral components of business management that align entirely with Sarah-Mae’s personality. The entrepreneur thrives when organising and problem solving and has a natural aptitude for steering her team towards success. Combining her passion for neuropsychology, economics, and trade with a specialisation in computer science and business management, Sarah-Mae possesses a unique perspective of the industry, allowing her to consider its many facets. This advantageous position helps her to design clear and effective strategies to innovate, forming the solid foundation of high ROI. Consistently striving for excellence, Sarah-Mae takes immense pride in serving her client partners and helping them to navigate the shifting landscape of the digital marketplace. She believes that the basis of high quality solution design is formed from an expert pairing of a customer-centric perspective and strategic change management. With a focus on making “Change that Sustains”, Sarah-Mae opts to take a strategic and tactical hands-on approach in her consulting that has been meticulously developed throughout the course of her career. An accomplished individual, Sarah-Mae has achieved significant academic success, boasting a range of qualifications and degrees that testify to her prowess. SarahMae has received a G.Cert in Project Management from the Mount Royal University, a G.Cou in Counselling Psychology with a focus on Behavioural and Cognitive Science from the University of California, a G.Dip in Development Economics and International Development from the University of Warwick, and a Master of Business Administration degree in Investment Finance and International Business from the Australian Institute of Business. As the Managing Director and CEO of Paragon Digital Consulting, Sarah-Mae takes an active role in delivering client transformations, facilitating executive coaching, leadership engagement, and building strategies. Alongside managing the daily operations of the business, Sarah-Mae strives to ensure that each client of Paragon Digital Consulting experiences true transformations that stand the test of time. Since founding Paragon Digital Consulting, Sarah-Mae has worked alongside many prestigious companies seeking best-fit strategies tailored to transform their operations via a low-risk, high-value approach to change management. The company has completed successful transformational change management projects for a myriad of businesses, including Dominoes, HR Transformations, Reliance Home Comfort, Nutrien, EY, and Calgary Zoo. The firm’s success is driven by Sarah-Mae’s varied expertise spanning multiple sectors, pinpointing exactly what an organisation requires to thrive in the marketplace. In fact, Sarah-Mae’s expertise has enabled her to take one step further than her peers, introducing innovation to the industry via the recently published book, ‘Cracking the Business Mastery Code: Succeeding in Business in Any Market’. Edited by Brian Tracy, world-renowned business strategist, the book combines invaluable wisdom from the top leaders and entrepreneurs in the market, each providing
CEO MONTHLY | Female CEO of the Year Awards 2024 5 practical and proven strategies for conducting successful business in any market. The comprehensive guide provides readers with impactful lessons from the most revered thought leaders from around the world, including Brian Tracy, Sarah-Mae Amde, Badritdin Nishankulov, Robert Stone, Oksana Avdeeva, and Ekaterina Lyubushkina. With real-world success stories, actionable advice, and a range of distinctive perspectives, the book acts as an essential partner to any individual aiming to excel in today’s business environment, whether they are a budding entrepreneur or a seasoned veteran. Sarah-Mae’s unique insights into the business landscape are designed to equip the reader with the inspiration and confidence needed to succeed. Her contribution to the guide consists of an expert blueprint for building high-performing and profitable teams to boost the performance of any business. Featuring in ‘Cracking the Business Mastery Code’ is a direct reflection of both SarahMae and Paragon Digital Consulting’s reputation across the industry as a key player, industry expert, and certainly one to watch. The last decade has seen Sarah-Mae receiving substantial recognition for her exceptional work, having achieved numerous awards and accolades that detail her excellence. In 2014, SarahMae received the PMI-Sac: Volunteer of the Year Award from the Project Management Institute in its Southern Alberta Chapter. This award honours the most dedicated project management professional who has made monumental contributions to the chapter, community, and practice of project management. In 2016, Sarah-Mae was awarded the Microsoft IMPACT Award for Innovation in Dynamics Cloud, which celebrates the most innovative and transformative work for outstanding results, based on exceptional business performance and service to clients using Microsoft Dynamics Cloud CRM. In 2022, she was featured on The Dean’s Merit List in recognition of achieving an MBA graduate with outstanding academic performance, awarded by the Australian Institute of Business. In addition to her many awards and allocations, Sarah-Mae has also received numerous features in a variety of magazines, including CEO Monthly Magazine’s Female CEO of the Year Awards, and the Top 20 Most Successful Women Leaders feature hosted by The Corporate Magazine. What’s more, Sarah-Mae has also featured in the Top 10 HR Transformation Companies in the US programme, held by HR Tech Outlook Magazine, and the Top 100 Canadian Professionals feature, hosted by Top 100 Magazine. Each magazine feature highlights and celebrates Sarah-Mae as a trailblazer in her industry, recognising her significant contributions to the operational efficiency of her clients’ businesses. Through her honed forward-thinking approach, expansive skillset, and vast industry knowledge, Sarah-Mae is continuously establishing herself as a prominent figure in business consulting, and Paragon Digital Consulting the go-to firm for businesses seeking success. Not only has Sarah-Mae been recognised for her excellence in the forms of awards and features, but the pioneer has received a multitude of glowing testimonials, provided by colleagues and client partners who have had the pleasure of working alongside Sarah-Mae’s ingenuity. “Sarah-Mae is an extremely capable project and change manager who is able to lead and plan at all levels,” reports Katie, a Senior Product Consultant at Apply Digital, and a client of Sarah-Mae. “I come from a non-technical background, and Sarah-Mae’s example of professionalism, adaptability, and attention to detail has been instrumental in my own professional development. She is able to work simultaneously to ensure that large projects are successful, while also ensuring that each individual on her team is supported and successful.” “I had the pleasure of working on the same team as Sarah-Mae at Shaw,” writes Danny, Lead Designer at Shaw Communications. “With her experience, she was able to jump right in to understand our work and keep us organised and ontrack for delivery. Certainly, what was a key strength for Sarah-Mae was her people skills; she is an exceptional communicator with team members and stakeholders and has boundless positive energy. She could develop an instant rapport with anyone and, by doing so, kept projects running smoothly. I wouldn’t hesitate to work with SarahMae, anytime.” “Sarah-Mae’s creative thinking, expertise, positive can-do attitude and drive as a professional made her an absolute pleasure to work with,” says Robert, an Independent IT Consultant who managed Sarah-Mae directly. “She continually delivered results, went above and beyond in providing exceptional service and support, and showed genuine integrity and respect as a manager. Sarah-Mae is enthusiastic, personable, and a brilliant networker. Her strengths in staying across issues, proactively offering solutions and ideas, and being adept as all aspects of communications makes her a valuable contributor to any project, team, or employer.” Contact: Sarah-Mae Amde Company: Paragon Digital Consulting Web Address: paragondigitalconsulting.com
Located in Provo, Utah, Mariah Tyler Moore is an emerging entrepreneur successfully navigating a competitive landscape by leveraging an exceptional wealth of management skills and innovative flair. A selfstarter, Mariah specialises in the fields of logistics, marketing, graphic design, and business management, and has built a solid reputation across multiple sectors for her expertise. Here, we take a closer look at Mariah’s journey of success, following her recent recognition in the Female CEO of the Year Awards 2024. Emerging Logistics Businesswoman of the Year 2024 (Utah): Mariah Tyler Moore
CEO MONTHLY | Female CEO of the Year Awards 2024 7 Oct24226 As talented as she is passionate, Mariah Tyler Moore is a spirited individual looking to make a positive difference in the world through her operational endeavours. With expertise in many industries, Mariah approaches every challenge with creativity, adaptability, and an unwavering dedication to continuous learning that has enabled her to reach heightened levels of success in her career. Renowned across the industry for her forward-thinking approach, Mariah has achieved elevated levels of success throughout her illustrious career. “Moore than Expected.” From marketing and graphic design to finance and business optimisation, logistics and customer service to writing and modelling, Mariah’s skillset is diverse and extensive, enabling her to build and operate from a unique perspective. Mariah always seeks both personal and professional development, driven by life experiences as varied as her career history and a desire to be “MOORE than Expected”. Throughout the course of her childhood, Mariah skipped a grade at school and graduated high school early before leaving home at the age of 15 and becoming legally emancipated at 16. Over the last decade, Mariah has faced countless health challenges, including eight surgeries, a disability diagnosis, severe anxiety, and cervical cancer. In the face of such hardships, Mariah emerged triumphantly with the hardened determination and optimism that has earned her the nickname of ‘The Bull Dog’ amongst friends and colleagues. These adverse life experiences have taught Mariah valuable lessons about the powers of resilience, perseverance, and human connection, lessons that Mariah now wishes to share with the world. Ultimately, Mariah aspires to be a philanthropist, making a difference to the world through having a positive impact on peoples’ lives, whether that be through providing services to benefit her community or striving to foster a culture of positivity and compassion within the workplace. Mariah has been working towards this mission for more than a decade, having kickstarted her career as a Sales Representative for Vector Marketing in 2014. From there, Mariah gained experience through diverse roles in varying sectors, working as an Office Manager, Financial Planning Assistant, Creative Director, Model, CEO, Manager, and even Chef. Such an extensive collection of roles has equipped Mariah with an unparalleled perspective and an understanding of each component that makes a business successful. In September 2024, Mariah decided to branch out and pave her own path to success with the establishment of Moore Business Management, Inc. This company has been Mariah’s passion project, enabling her to utilise both her creative and corporate skillsets in her free time. Geared towards optimising business performance, Moore Business Management provides Mariah with the freedom to pursue her passions for graphic design and business strategy whilst making a positive impact on the lives of her clientele. From the initial enquiry to the final followup, Mariah handles every aspect of Moore Business Management’s operations. The diverse skillset built throughout her career, when combined with a robust network of businesses and professionals, has allowed Mariah to achieve excellence through Moore Business Management, further aiding her clients’ businesses to achieve and having a positive impact on the world. Building upon this remarkable success, Mariah has recently founded Moore Transport Solutions with the purpose of handling the logistics for Moore Business Management. Driven by Mariah’s extensive experience as a Logistics Operations Manager, Moore Transport Solutions is on a mission to redefine the shipping experience through tailored transportation solutions that fill a glaring gap in the market. Dedicated to authenticity, speed, and meticulous preparation, Moore Transport Solutions is working towards a world in which shipping and logistics are seamlessly integrated to provide an unparalleled service that extends far beyond client expectations. The company offers a comprehensive suite of shipping solutions that include global shipping, local drayage and delivery, hot shot shipping, and box trailer shipping. The establishment of Moore Transportation Solutions is a direct reflection of Mariah allowing her entrepreneurial spirit to optimise business performance; rather than meticulously searching for a logistics company that would perfectly meet Moore Business Management’s requirements, Mariah went the extra mile and founded her own logistics company, one that she could guarantee would not only provide exceptional services but also operate with the same ethics and values that drives Moore Business Management. Mariah has not only established two successful businesses before the age of 30; in alignment with her vision of philanthropy, the trailblazer is also developing Moore Miracles, a non-profit organisation dedicated to empowering foster children in Utah through education. Whilst the foundation is currently still in development, Moore Miracles will be funded through a variety of sources, including individual donations, grants, corporate sponsorship, fundraising events, as well as the automatic donation of 2% of every sale from Moore Business Management. Moore Miracles will offer its beneficiaries a variety of programmes, such as tutoring, scholarships, and after-school enrichment programs. Each programme will be expertly tailored to meet the varying, unique needs of foster children of all ages. At present, the organisation is in the process of finalising its legal status and programme details, with the expectation of an official launch in the coming months. Since entering the workforce more than a decade ago, Mariah has demonstrated her unique work ethic and unbridled passion for helping others, qualities that have propelled her into a frontrunning position across numerous sectors. She has successfully shaped the lives of many through specialist solutions, leveraging her vast experience, innovative flair, and unfaltering dedication. Between managing and optimising the businesses of clients, organising logistics and shipping, and establishing a philanthropic non-profit foundation, Mariah has established herself as the one to watch in the market with a highly developed skillset that will only facilitate future success for her endeavours. It is this steadfast commitment, driven by her relentless pursuit of excellence, that has enabled Mariah Tyler Moore to earn the title of Emerging Logistics Businesswoman of the Year 2024 – Utah. Contact: Mariah Tyler Moore Companies: Moore Business Management, Inc. & Moore Transport Solutions, LLC Web Address: www.mariahtylermoore.com
CEO MONTHLY | Female CEO of the Year Awards 2024 8 etermined to empower young people by providing them with the right education to ensure their future success, Elmtree Learning Partnership strives to build strong bases, shatter stereotypes, and stop history repeating itself. Across six locations across North Somerset, Bristol and Gloucestershire – Elmtree delivers clear and consistent support for pupils, all through a curriculum meticulously designed to make the transition back to mainstream education as seamless as possible. From improving knowledge of ICT to providing the opportunity to access music, books, and health/fitness classes, Elmtree focuses first of all on the developmental building blocks for every young person, before considering their individual needs so as to deliver an education that is right for them. The early intervention approach favoured by Elmtree revolves around making sure that every young person has a positive experience when it comes to their education, and this is something reflected right across its operation. Nowhere is this more clearly displayed than in Elmtree’s four core principles, which span creating a community for all, being individually inclusive, delivering support for everyone, and building strong foundations. On the back of these cornerstones, Elmtree helps pupils to be safe, happy, and also to recognise the importance of their uniqueness, all through provisions which effectively strike the balance between impact and cost, meaning that no affiliated school or local authority is forced to pay through the nose for this support. Initially expanding from being a single person business, by founding the aforementioned Elementa Support Services – a business which delivers comprehensive support to schools in the form of behaviour consultancy, recruitment, and training – in 2018, Sarah Morrison would go on to establish Elmtree as a way of furthering the impact she was having in this setting. These two businesses combined to form the Elementa Education Group four years later, before being joined by Elmtree Grove School Ltd when it opened late last year. Established on the back of one young learner’s heartbreaking story that they had been rejected by 16 schools in the region, Alternative Education CEO of the Year 2024 (South West England): Sarah Morrison An alternative education provision for children struggling to succeed in traditional learning environments, Elmtree Learning Partnership Ltd delivers a part-time provision supporting education and emotional literacy for 5–16-year-olds in several locations across the South West. Founded by awardwinning CEO Sarah Morrison in early 2022, Elmtree is proud to be a part of the Elementa Education Group, which comprises an independent SEND (special educational needs and disabilities) school, Elmtree Grove School Ltd, and Elementa Support Services and Behaviourself Ltd – a series of bespoke courses and workshops. Elmtree Grove School is perhaps the crowning achievement in Sarah’s career so far. Taking the project from idea to completion in just five months, this fully operational school is already at capacity, a testament to both the stellar work that Sarah is doing and her unwavering commitment to the next generation of learners in the South West of England, where she provides this environment for all to thrive. With Sarah at the helm and her impressive background in education, safeguarding, training, and recruitment to boot, Elmtree has continued to go from strength to strength in the approximately three years since first opening its doors. Much of this success can be attributed to the excellent staffing teams in place at these locations, teams which are ran by an equal number of men and women. This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to inclusivity however, with Elmtree’s central leadership team being 60% female. The support delivered to women across Elmtree does not end there, as its collaboration with the Women’s Work Lab sees new mothers supported in the workplace. Having backed six of these programmes to date and recruited from each, one does not have to look far to see that Elmtree is a beacon of female empowerment. Moreover, regardless of gender, initiatives such as flexible term-time contracts, access to private healthcare, 60 hours of training per year, and weekly recognition programmes make Elmtree a great place to work. It is thanks to this sustained excellence that Elmtree Learning Partnership Ltd has a series of expansion plans in the pipeline, including opening another school and more alternative learning sites. As for Sarah herself, she plans to continue mentoring and supporting local organisations, giving back through the likes of Christmas appeals, summer projects, and mentoring young enterprise teams. All of this makes CEO Sarah Morrison a worthy winner of this award and more than deserving of a place in this programme. D Contact: Sarah Morrison Company: Elmtree Learning Partnership Ltd Web Address: elmtree-learning.org.uk
CEO MONTHLY | Female CEO of the Year Awards 2024 9 Management Consulting CEO of the Year 2024 (Caribbean): Natasha Yeeloy-Labad Natasha Yeeloy-Labad is both CEO and principal consultant at her firm Outsource Development Studio Inc, having served in these positions since the business’ inception almost a decade ago. Often known as the ‘chief executive mind’ for her encompassing, hands-on approach to the business’ day-to-day operations and strategy, Natasha works incredibly hard to strike the balance between creating an exemplary internal culture and ensuring that the business is on track to achieve its ambitious aim of becoming a global business process outsourcing (BPO) leader. Recognizing the importance of aligning her professional journey with her values and vision, Natasha Yeeloy-Labad made the bold decision to leave behind a career supporting high-profile executives to start her own business. Striving to truly embrace the human spirit, Natasha set about creating a workplace with a culture revolving around psychological safety, in a business that itself stands as a beacon of hope. The result of this dedication is Outsource Development, one of the Caribbean’s leading BPO companies. A trailblazing organisation when it comes to leadership and employee engagement services in Dominica, Outsource Development benefits immeasurably from Natasha’s unique expertise, stemming from a skillset she honed after spending more than a decade in a range of consulting roles. With this first-hand experience in tow, the company is able to deliver a series of tailored programmes to its clients, all of which are based around demonstrably enhancing the skills, knowledge, and attitudes of their business’ staff. Having helped more than 1,000 individuals across a variety of enterprises to become better versions of themselves, this team of regional business process outsourcing experts in the Caribbean specialise in everything from customer service excellence training to workforce capacity building and innovative business improvement strategies. In the ever-evolving world of business, these services are becoming increasingly sought after, requiring Natasha and co. to change with the times in order to deliver maximum value. “Through innovation, collaboration, and a focus on professional growth, I strive to ensure our team evolve alongside our business goals, consistently exceeding expectations and delivering impactful solutions.” This forward-thinking approach reflects some of the definitive shifts felt across the consulting space more broadly over the past few years, with the industry having quickly become more accessible as a result of technological empowerment and its move away from traditional in-person appointments. Despite such advancements, this field is still dominated by men, and Natasha believes that more needs to be done to address the unique challenges faced by the increasing number of women in this setting. In fact, this is something that applies not only to the consulting industry, but the world of business more broadly, particularly when it comes to those enterprises operating in developing nations. As Natasha herself explains: “Across the Caribbean, there are calls to recognise the multifaceted roles women play both in the home and the broader community, emphasising how these roles not only contribute to the success of households and communities but also shape their entrepreneurial experiences.” Natasha is incredibly passionate about this, especially given that she is both a wife and a mother to two daughters, meaning she has to balance her CEO responsibilities alongside family life. Things have not always been easy, but this award represents the evolution that Natasha has undertaken over the past decade, both in a personal and professional sense. Alongside her own development has been that of the wider business, which has continued to make meaningful contributions to the local economy of this small island. Signing off, Natsha expresses: “This award validates the risks I have taken and celebrates my collaborative efforts with peers in the consulting space. It serves as a profound motivator to continue driving transformative change and building a legacy that inspires future generations of global thinkers.” A member of both the Dominica chapter of Business and Professional Women International and her local Chamber of Commerce, Natasha uses these platforms to help women overcome the barriers to leadership. For this, as well as the remarkable business process outsourcing company she has built from the ground up, Natasha Yeeloy-Labad is more than deserving of inclusion in this programme. We wish both her and Outsource Development Studio Inc the best of luck for the rest of 2025 and beyond, urging any interested parties to follow the link below for more information about the company’s Caribbean corporate training and leadership solutions. Contact: Natasha Yeeloy-Labad Company: Outsource Development Studio Inc Web Address: outsourcedevelopment.org Nov24105
CEO MONTHLY | Female CEO of the Year Awards 2024 10 Incorporated shortly after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Furniture Reuse Solutions was established at a time when community efforts were at their most important, and it has not let up in the years since. Having delivered more than 6,000 shipments comprising in excess of 6,000,000 pounds of furniture Operating out of California’s San Diego County, environmental consulting company Furniture Reuse Solutions, Inc. partners with a number of charities, corporations, and schools to repurpose their used furniture and equipment, before delivering unneeded items to those who can make use of them. Bridging the sustainability gap, this woman-owned business is overseen and operated by Megan A. Draper, who leverages more than a decade of industry expertise to help the company achieve its goals. and equipment to over 200 charities and non-profits across the US and beyond, Furniture Reuse Solutions has had the pleasure of working with Fortune 500 companies, healthcare groups, and K-12 school districts alike. At the helm of this remarkable operation is CEO Megan A. Draper, whose job it is to be a true leader, both advancing the company itself and allowing it to work closely and efficiently with its clients and humanitarian partners alike, ensuring that everyone in need of support is provided with it. Megan’s ability to do so is grounded in her previous managerial experience. Prior to establishing Furniture Reuse Solutions, she worked in the recycling and waste management industry, where she honed her expertise in sustainable solutions and operational efficiency. After nearly a decade, however, she began to crave a new challenge and relocated to California, recognizing a wealth of opportunities for a discerning recycling aficionado such as herself. Setting up the business alongside her husband, Megan quickly realised that sustainable solutions were often sought after by corporations, but that they struggled to connect the dots. This is where Megan and her team come in, offering seamless consultancy services that make real differences in the lives of people far and wide. Transforming clients’ surplus furniture into a valuable resource, the comprehensive services of Furniture Reuse Solutions span liquidation, reusing, or recycling, allowing furniture to be rehomed or safely disposed if repurposing is not possible. The team’s process is straightforward and transparent in equal measure, and their three-stage plans have proven impactful time and again. This is particularly true of the past two years, where projects such as replacing outdated classroom furniture for schools have been undertaken. Furniture Reuse Solutions is, therefore, going into 2025 on the back of a year of substantial change, having evolved significantly over the past 12 months. From opening an office in the city of Carlsbad – where its team meet every week to collaborate on ongoing and upcoming projects – to hiring an operations VP specifically for the Pacific Northwest region, the company demonstrated its excellence frequently this past year. Its project in the Long Beach Unified School District, completed this past summer, is just one example of this. Thanks to these projects, as well as the glowing testimonials they yield from clients, Megan and her team are eagerly looking ahead to the future of the business, including opening more sites and continuing to evolve alongside both client and vendor demand. Against the backdrop of this expansion, Furniture Reuse Solutions’ commitment to helping humankind and delivering aid remains stronger than ever. By remaining true to its principles and upholding these high standards, the company is sure to continue to garner acclaim. Far from a stranger to commendation, the company has been on the receiving end of a number of awards over the past few years, with Megan herself being a mainstay in publications by her local Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce, including featuring for two years in a row in its ‘40 Under 40’ feature and guesting on its podcast. Beyond this, one of the crowning moments of Megan’s career so far came when she was recognised with the highly coveted Enterprising Women of the Year Award, a testament to her ability. Megan has even featured in this awards programme before, named as Furniture Sustainability CEO of the Year in 2023. Receiving the same accolade for 2024, these consecutive wins represent Megan A. Draper’s relentless drive to empower organisations to repurpose their furniture and equipment. Through Furniture Reuse Solutions, Inc., Megan is both minimising cost and environmental impact for companies and also maximising social benefit, making her operation more than deserving of such widespread and sustained recognition. Contact: Megan Draper Company: Furniture Reuse Solutions, Inc. Web Address: https://furniture-rs.com/ Best Furniture Sustainability CEO 2024: Megan Draper
CEO MONTHLY | Female CEO of the Year Awards 2024 11 Best Residential Property Development CEO 2024 (Eastern Australia): Alissa Birch Like many great business leaders, Alissa Birch, Capital Luxury Residences’ trailblazing CEO, wears multiple hats, all of which have proven integral in building the creative vision of the multifaceted construction firm, whilst ensuring success across its day-to-day operations. From taking charge concerning the concept and design of every project the business executes, through to personally guaranteeing that unique, high-quality materials are sourced to bring designs to life, Alissa undoubtedly takes a hands-on approach to her role. Even as the business has grown from a niche start-up to a nationally recognised firm celebrated with a number of industry awards, Alissa’s commitments to the areas of quality, innovation, and sustainability have remained steadfast. “Building CLR from the ground up has been a rewarding challenge,” Alissa explains, “and being at the forefront since inception has given me invaluable insight into every facet of the business and reinforced my passion for designing extraordinary homes which inspire and delight.” With a background in design and project management, Alissa was quickly able to pick up the technical aspects of property design and construction, all of which are delivered to the highest standards at CLR. However, it is the skills she has picked up as a mother of five that have served Alissa best, with the levels of organisation, communication, and adaptability required to run a household of this size bleeding over into her professional life, ultimately making Alissa the perfect leader of the high-performing team she has assembled. Despite having a keen entrepreneurial mindset and boundless enthusiasm for luxury home development, Alissa’s journey in this maledominated sector has not always been easy, and she has had to navigate many challenges stemming from long-standing gender norms. Luckily, as Alissa tells us, “over the past few years, I’ve noticed a shift, albeit gradual, as more women are stepping into roles across the industry, from project management to skilled trades. This progress is encouraging, but we still have a long way to go.” “I hope that, by leading CLR, I can be a part of this shift and help open doors for more women to succeed in property development and construction. As a mother of three daughters, I’m passionate about instilling in them the belief that there are no limits to what they can achieve.” This belief that the sky is the limit has also translated to success within the company itself, which has faced tremendous, unprecedented success over the past 12 months. Having completed five award-winning homes which have all broken sales records and set the standard for other luxury designers to meet, Alissa’s expectations at the start of 2024 were smashed by the end of the year. With 2025 and 2026 set to see four remarkable homes constructed, Alissa is focused on continuing to push the boundaries of luxury and elegance. In order to guarantee this is case, the business has started to embrace a more focused approach, diverting from its recent trend of taking on more projects to put all of its energy into a smaller amount, allowing it to create undisputed masterpieces each and every time. CLR has always only handled a small number of client projects for this very reason, but its decision to double down on its exclusivity in the face of the continued growth is a bold reflection of an unwavering commitment to never compromise on results. Finally, when it comes to her own future, Alissa remains driven to cementing Capital Luxury Residences’ status as a luxury designer, as well as striking an improved balance between the personal and professional elements of her life, ensuring holistic fulfilment. Last but not least, Alissa Birch strives to serve as both a role model and a support system for other women in this industry, making her both a construction pioneer and a worthy winner of this award, which Alissa believes to be the biggest achievement of her career to date. Contact: Alissa Birch Company: Capital Luxury Residences Pty Ltd Web Address: clrgroup.com.au Oct24454 Based in Queensland, Capital Luxury Residences Pty Ltd (CLR) is a vertically integrated property firm delivering an array of seamless development, design, import, and construction services all under one roof. Specialising in luxury, high-end homes, CLR brings a unique finish to every project, ensuring no two homes are the same. Making sure this is the case is CEO and Design Director Alissa Birch, who has overseen almost every element of the firm since co-founding it more than five years ago.
CEO MONTHLY | Female CEO of the Year Awards 2024 12 lthough she may not have the traditional technology background enjoyed by many leaders in the tech industry, what Tess Mattisson brings to the table is a wealth of experience in the multifaceted hospitality sector. Having witnessed the ins and outs of this dynamic environment over the course of a storied career – which has taken her from being responsible at the Blue Moon Bar in Stockholm, to serving in a variety of management and executive roles for Nordic Choice Hotels (today known as Strawberry) – Tess knows what guests want. Having focused on digitising international hotel chains and groups in previous positions, Tess has made significant leaps in her mission of improving guest experiences through technology since joining Zaplox, which was founded in 2010, in early 2022. Moving from working for big companies with all of the answers to asking the important questions herself was certainly a challenge, but the culture of openness and curiosity that Zaplox operates atop of has allowed for true growth and innovation to be experienced in this field. “While some may see Zaplox as a small player in the sea of giants, I see opportunity. Opportunity to disrupt, to innovate, and to leave a mark on the industry.” One does not have to look very far to see this mark that Zaplox has left on the industry, something achieved by Tess striving to do things nobody else has done before and saying yes to things which initially may seem impossible. Her extensive experience in tech and digitization with various hotel groups has certainly helped set the wheels in motion for this innovation, as those with a deeper understanding of the field could be less likely to disrupt, instead sticking to familiar territory and treading the same old ground. This is far from the case with Zaplox, which has entered into agreements with such industryleading hotel chains as the Radisson Hotel Group, not to mention the series of gamechanging innovations delivered to Strawberry. As an example of this innovation, Strawberry had the first hotel in the world capable of offering guests their room keys through Apple Wallet and Google Wallet. The impact of this cannot be overstated, with this leap ushering in a new era of convenience and eliminating the headaches of traditional key cards. Best Hospitality Guest Innovation CEO 2024: Tess Mattisson Tess Mattisson is Zaplox’s President and CEO, with this innovative SaaS company based in both Sweden and the US delivering a suite of solutions for the likes of hotels, resorts, and casinos, allowing them to enhance guest experiences across stays. From checkin to check-out and everything in between, these SaaS solutions promote seamless digital interactions, allowing discerning enterprises to stay one step ahead of the curve in the everevolving landscape of hospitality today. Exploring what this solution represents concerning both the present and future of the hospitality industry, Tess tells us: “The pace of digital transformation is speeding up, but the real game changer for any hotel isn’t just about adopting the latest technology – it’s about understanding how your guests engage with that technology and why they behave the way they do.” Getting to the root of this is one of Zaplox’s key focus areas and is something made possible by the combined expertise of Tess and her dedicated team. By embracing this collective knowledge, Zaplox is continuing to push the needle and achieve greatness. With a C-suite comprised of 50% women – not as a statement, but because the best person for the job was hired – Zaplox is creating a culture for everyone, regardless of gender, ethnicity, or background. For Tess: “Business growth is all about getting a group of different individuals in the same room, pointing them in the right direction and encouraging them to use their different perspectives to collectively reach a mission.” “It is so important to understand that true diversity goes beyond merely ticking boxes – it’s about recognising and nurturing talent based on potential. If my former leader had not been brave enough to invest in my potential when I had no experience, I would not be in a position where I could do the same for others today.” A selfless leader who has proven herself to be empowering and insightful in equal measure, Tess Mattisson is an integral part of Zaplox’s ongoing success, and her desire to constantly take the company to that next level has resulted in her being recognised with this well-deserved award, which will only fuel her passion as we move further into 2025. A Contact: Tess Mattisson Web Address: zaplox.com
CEO MONTHLY | Female CEO of the Year Awards 2024 13 International Business Community CEO of the Year 2024 (APAC): April Palmerlee AmCham is the largest and most prestigious international business organisation in the country, serving as a critical hub that offers connections and access to opportunity. With offices across Australia, AmCham provides assistance to both American and Australian companies, as well as promoting trade, commerce, and investment to and from Australia. The organisation is helmed by CEO April Palmerlee, who has been recently named in the Female CEO of the Year Awards 2024. Below, we speak with April to learn more. Founded in 1961, AmCham provides its members with a competitive advantage that enables them to grow their businesses efficiently and intelligently, possessing almost 610 members from both the US and Australia. The organisation caters to clientele hailing from a diverse range of sectors, including banking and finance, defence, emerging technologies and innovation, education and academia, energy and resources, healthcare and life sciences, infrastructure, manufacturing, retail, and telecommunications. AmCham is successfully steered by April Palmerlee, who was appointed CEO of the company in 2017. Having lived in Sydney for over two decades, April has worked closely with the Chamber for many years prior to her appointment, primarily as a speaker, member, and contributor. Born in America, April holds a dual-citizenship and a unique perspective that allows her to oversee AmCham with an expert eye. Before joining AmCham, April has held a diverse range of roles from a variety of organisations, such as Executive Position to the President for the Spanish Institute, Assistant and Accessory Designer Coordinator for Oscar de la Renta, Senior Coordinator for International Women’s Issues for the US Department of State, and as Academic Staff in the US Studies Centre at The University of Sydney. This extensive career history, spanning across sectors and continents, enables April to steer AmCham towards success, driven by a wealth of skills and expertise that can only be developed through first-hand experience. April has celebrated significant achievements over the years, though she cites her biggest accomplishment to have happened in the early 2000s, during her role of Senior Coordinator for International Women’s Issues for the US Department of State. “I started working at the State Department immediately after the terrorist attacks of 9/11,” she recalls. “During my tenure, I was privileged to have the opportunity to make a real, tangible difference in the lives of women and girls in Afghanistan. As part of the reconstruction efforts, we built schools for girls who had never attended a class, we created micro-loans for women to start small businesses and support their families, and we launched the US-Afghan Women’s Council.” The US-Afghan Women’s Council is a non-partisan, public-private partnership that assembles governments, civil society, and the private sector around the goal of supporting the education, healthcare, economic empowerment, and leadership of Afghan women and girls. The US-Afghan Women’s Council leverages both public and private resources to advance memberdriven initiatives, in addition to highlighting the experiences and needs of women and girls across Afghanistan. Throughout the course of her career, April has aided and empowered countless women through her operations, whether through the formation of the Council or through providing some much-needed representation as a powerful female figure. “As the inaugural female CEO of AmCham in its 60-year history, I suppose I shattered the glass ceiling,” she says. “Although women are typically over-represented in the notfor-profit sector, the leadership of business chambers seems to track more closely to the ASX, where males make up the vast majority of CEOs. Today, I’m pleased to have several female counterparts at other business chambers in Australia and at other AmChams in the Asia Pacific. I think that as leadership in the corporate sector has diversified, the chambers have followed suit. In our own chamber, I’m proud to have 50/50 diversity amongst my General Managers, which has happened without quotas or targets.” Looking ahead, April tells us that AmCham has exciting plans for the future, including celebration and expansion. The organisation is poised to take 2025 by storm, and we at CEO Monthly have no doubts that with April, the International Business Community CEO of the Year 2024 (APAC), at its helm, AmCham will see nothing short of success. “In 2025, we will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Australia-US Free Trade Agreement and look at where our next economic opportunities lie to guarantee the next 20 years of prosperity,” April tells us. “AmCham will continue to take delegations of Australian CEOs to the United States on trade missions and study tour to bring our leaders face-to-face for inperson engagement with key US decision-makers at an important juncture for a new era of indispensable economic and security alliance.” Contact: April Palmerlee Company: AmCham Australia Web Address: www.amcham.com.au
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