EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 2024 / 2025
PRESIDENT AND SPONSORSHIP | PAULA WILLIAMSON
 Paula is a seasoned finance professional with extensive experience across a wide range of business disciplines. Known for her leadership and people-centric approach, she has successfully guided numerous teams through various business and economic cycles. Passionate about fostering personal and professional growth, Paula brings years of expertise in people leadership, mentoring, coaching, and education facilitation. Originally from the Sunshine Coast, Paula returned in 2017 after a distinguished career in North Queensland and the Northern Territory. Her experience in regional and remote locations has honed her resilience and resourcefulness, which she now channels into her work at the SCBWN. Here, Paula is dedicated to supporting and showcasing individuals and the region, creating opportunities for growth and collaboration. A strong advocate for empowering young women, Paula is committed to helping them navigate the challenges of a fast-paced world while balancing professional ambitions and motherhood. As a long-time member of ANZ, Paula values the organisation's dedication to supporting women in leadership roles through flexible working practices. She encourages women to engage, embrace flexibility, and pursue leadership opportunities with confidence. When asked about her motto: ‘Move with purpose’. LinkedIn: Paula Williamson |
VICE PRESIDENT, ADVOCACY & PR CHAIR |LIZZIE HENEBERY
She works in both traditional and digital media, and is particularly skilled in brand & communication strategy, content writing, public relations and social media. Through living, studying (she's a proud USC undergrad and post-grad Alumna) and working on the Sunshine Coast for most of her life, Lizzie is passionate about supporting this region. She has partnered with business across various industries and has a positive track record of creating strategies that deliver on objectives. Lizzie also works with a number of charities supporting fundraising events that deliver much needed services back to the Sunshine Coast community. Sunny Comms, part of Sunny AdvertisingTREASURER | ANITA CUNNINGHAM
Anita has worked in the accounting industry for over 30 years and specialises in forensic accounting, financial crime, business valuations, family and estate matters. She is a Chartered Accountant (CAANZ), a professional member of the Australian Restructuring and Turnaround Association (ARITA), member of the Family Law Practitioners Association of Australia and the Queensland Association of Collaborative Practitioners and an associate member of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners. Anita is also an accredited Business Valuation Specialist and Forensic Accounting Specialist with CAANZ. Anita’s accounting career commenced in public practice in Noosa Heads. In September 2019, Anita joined Vincents and established their Sunshine Coast office specialising in forensic accounting services. A born and bred local, Anita grew up in the Noosa Hinterland, attended Noosa District High School and has remained on the Sunshine Coast throughout her entire career. Since joining the Network in 2005 and attending events on and off over the years, Anita was reintroduced to the management committee and accepted the nomination as Treasurer in 2018. She was also the treasurer of Suncoast Community Legal Service for six years (2013-2019) and enjoys contributing to the community as a foundation member of the SunnyKids P100 program. When away from the numbers, Anita loves a hit of golf and a quiet red wine. Together with her husband, John, she fosters working dogs through Dogs4Jobs Dog Rescue which provides foster care for animals in need – however at least four of the foster dogs have found their fur-eva homes with Anita and John. PROFESSIONAL GROWTH CHAIR | NAOMI ELLIOTT
Naomi Elliott is General Manager of Concept Labs; an innovative and sustainable manufacturing facility on the Sunshine Coast, producing cosmetic, skin care and cleaning products, while embracing their responsibility to co-create a world where each of us, our communities and our planet can flourish. Concept Labs are small enough to care, but large enough to deliver. Concept Labs’ guidance on product development, manufacturing efficiencies and sustainable practices sees their customers able to develop products that are more affordable, viable and with lower environmental impact. Additionally, Concept Labs has the certifications, equipment and experience to develop high quality vegan, organic and cruelty free products. Leading an expanding team in two South East Queensland locations, Naomi takes great pride in inspiring and guiding her team to achieve excellence. Naomi is consistently pushing for the company to make sustainable manufacturing choices and to positively contribute to the local community.These efforts have been recognised with Naomi being awarded the Best Practice Leadership Impact Award for 2020, her team took home two awards at the 2019 Sunshine Coast Business Awards in the Manufacturing (Large Business) & Export categories, and Naomi was recognised as a finalist in the Sunshine Coast Business Women’s Network awards in 2021. | SECRETARY | JAYMEE MORRISON
SCBWN Young Business Woman of the Year 2018. She is proud to work for a local company that values their people and provides opportunities for self and career development in an environment where you can constantly learn and grow. Jaymee is very passionate, motivated and has a strong commitment to developing people. She is a natural role model and inspiration, particularly for women in leadership. Jaymee is an active member of the Diversity committee at Youi leading the Gender Diversity and Family and Domestic Violence strategies for the company. Her mantra is 'she believed she could, so she did', and Jaymee strongly believes you can achieve anything you want, if you set your mind to it and work hard. She applies this in every aspect of her life and inspires others to do the same. EVENTS CHAIR | JULIA JONES-WALKER
After 14 years working in state and federal government communication and stakeholder engagement roles for local Members of Parliament, Julia has recently taken on a new role in community and stakeholder engagement with Unitywater. Julia has a proven track record in building strategic partnerships with government, industry and community stakeholders and delivering communication strategies to engage and inform while building brand, enhancing reputation and mitigating risks. She is known for being a trusted adviser, strategic thinker, problem solver, stakeholder relationship manager and community engagement specialist who is passionate about driving change and making a positive difference. Julia’s history with SCBWN began in 2006 when she was recognised as Corporate Business Woman of the Year for establishing multiple businesses, including a highly successful and award-winning retail furniture and importing business, Global Living Furniture. As Events Chair, Julia will use her talents in engaging and networking to collaborate with government, business and not for profit sectors to create an exciting calendar of exceptional events that empower and inspire our amazing Sunshine Coast businesswomen. MARKETING CHAIR | SOPHIE CAMERON
Sophie earned her Bachelor of Arts in Communications, specialising in Marketing and Journalism, from the University of the Sunshine Coast 2004. Her career spans diverse media roles across newspapers, television, radio, digital platforms and social media. This wealth of experience inspired her to bridge a gap in the market, helping business owners achieve impactful marketing outcomes without the stress. As a founder of Vibe PR and Marketing, Sophie is on a mission to empower business owners by creating meaningful connections and delivering bespoke marketing solutions. From comprehensive annual PR and marketing plans to actionable strategies, her focus is on collaboration-working together to achieve goals and drive success. WIth Sophie at the helm, business owners can confidently leave their PR and marketing in trusted hands while focusing on what they do best. Sophie's passion for marketing, coupled with her infectious positivity, ensures every project is infused with energy, creativity and a commitment to helping businesses shine. |
Lizzie is a qualified, experienced and awarded marketing and communications professional who has a way with words and a penchant for planning.
With 17 years of experience connecting business owners across the Sunshine Coast, Sophie Cameron is a dynamic PR and Marketing professional who believes collaboration is the key to success. Known for building strong relationships and guided by her core values of integrity and loyalty, Sophie also brings a touch of joy and sparkle to everything she does-it's all about creating good vibes!MEET OUR AWARDS CO-JUDGING CHAIRSDid you know that the Sunshine Coast Business Woman of the Year Awards process is completely separate to our committee? To learn more about the process click here. |
AWARDS CO-JUDGING CHAIR | RENEE COOPER
Renee Cooper launched her accounting career in 2000, working for a local firm in Nambour where she developed her professional skills and built enduring client relationships. Many of her early clients remain with her to this day. In 2009, Renee became a director of a Maroochydore-based firm, a role she held until founding Indepth Business Advisory & Taxation in 2018. Renee established Indepth to deliver personalised business advisory and compliance services tailored to the Sunshine Coast community. Over the years Renee has earned several prestigious awards including 2023 Sunshine Coast Outstanding Business Woman of the Year, making her a perfectly aligned to understanding what it takes to be part of the Awards and what people experience. Outside of the office, Renee enjoys travelling, camping, boating, and spending time with her husband, children, and their dogs, Snickers and Billie. | AWARDS CO-JUDGING CHAIR | MICHELLE HAMER
Michelle subscribes to the mantra 'Everything is possible' and practices an engaging style that integrates business, education and information technology knowledge. Her hands on, down to earth approach not only ensures that her clients and their team are comfortable with and fully engaged in the change process, but her approach also assists in empowering colleagues she mentors within her client base, the various not-for-profit teams she works with, and start-up business women. Over the last 25 years Michelle has grown a strong global network of clients and contacts, assisting businesses at all levels. Her client list includes large law firms such as Dentons, King & Wood Mallesons (KWM), Minter Ellison, Australian Government Solicitor (AGS), as well as organisations such as Icon Group and the Sunshine Coast Council (SCC), to name just a few. |
Michelle is passionate about improving productivity and encouraging change that adds value. To facilitate improvement in her clients' businesses, Michelle provides education, assessment, enablement and optimisation utilising clients' software applications.