Aboriginal Engagement Consultant

and RAP Advisor, Nganya 

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Three words to describe you: 

Ambitious, tenacious and high-vibe.

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What do you love about CWB: 

The sense of community and connection to support you in business.

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About:

Dixie Crawford, is a Barkindji woman from Brewarrina and Broken Hill, living on Ngunnawal country in Canberra. 

Dixie is the Founder/Director of Nganya, an Aboriginal Engagement Consultancy specialising in cross-cultural leadership, and the development/implementation of Reconciliation Action Plans. Dixie has a strong background in policy design, program implementation and monitoring, and governance expertise in the spheres of social policy, human services, and community wellbeing.

Dixie leverages her personal and professional experiences to challenge ideas and change the way ‘it’s always been done’. Dixie wants to make a difference in the way Aboriginal people are heard and understood. Her passion helping others to understand the cause of barriers that impact thinking and doing when it comes to engaging with and creating opportunities for First Nations peoples and communities to thrive. Dixie will encourage people to live into the value of robust and purposeful leadership and be the catalyst of change within organisations and communities. 

Dixie hosts a podcast named Black Business with Dixie Crawford, was named one of ‘20 Australian ​​Women Making Moves in 2022’ by the Australian Business Journal, was a plenary speaker at the 2022 Reconciliation Australia conference, is the first Aboriginal woman appointed to the Cricket ACT Board (September 2022) and the first Aboriginal woman to become President of Canberra Women in Business (December 2022).

Partner, Synergy Group

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Three words to describe you: 

Driven, Empathetic, Pragmatic

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What do you love about CWB: 

I love the network of women – and men – that support each other.  I love that CWB celebrates our successes and brings Canberra business women together.

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About:

Mandy Hill is a Partner in Synergy Group, offering the full range of consultancy, project design, delivery and managed services uniquely tailored to address the challenges of Government and large organisations.

Mandy leads a large team of Project Management and Change Management professionals.  She is a highly experienced and successful senior program and change manager and trusted transformation advisor who has extensive experience within federal government, including Defence. 

Mandy is known for her strengths in leadership, building high performing teams and collaborative, thorough and pragmatic approach to transformation planning, design, delivery, assurance and continuous improvement.  She brings her energy, insights and can-do attitude to Canberra Women in Business.​

Tax Consultant, Ernst and Young

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Three words to describe you: 

Driven, Adventurous, Empathetic

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What do you love about CWB: 

What I love about CWB is the sense of community and support that it provides. It's a space where women can come together to share their experiences, learn from one another, and build meaningful connections. I also appreciate the range of events and resources that CWB offers, like networking opportunities.

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About:

Penny Zhao is a highly experienced tax consultant at Ernst and Young with a passion for helping businesses navigate complex tax laws and regulations. Penny also has a unique perspective on the challenges faced by small businesses operating.

 

In addition to her professional work, Penny is an active volunteer in the Canberra community. She has a passion for women's empowerment and is a proud member of Canberra Women in Business, where she serves as a treasurer. In this role, she helps to manage the organization's finances and ensure that it remains financially sustainable and able to support its members.

 

Penny is also involved in some other volunteering for some non-for-profit organizations, like being treasurer of Rebus Theatre. Through her volunteer work, she hopes she is a role model for others looking to make a positive difference in their community.

Etiquette Coach | Academic Professional | Project Coordinator 

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Three words to describe you: 

Helpful, open-minded, socially conscious

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What do you love about CWB: 

The amazing sense of community and support that the organization provides. Through events, workshops, and mentoring programs, I have had the opportunity to connect with other like-minded women and build valuable relationships. It's been so inspiring to see how members of CWB support and encourage one another, and I have felt truly welcomed and included.

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About:

Monika is a certified International Etiquette Consultant and the founder of The School of Modern Etiquette. With a passion for helping people succeed in both their personal and professional lives, she dedicates every available moment of her day guiding individuals and groups on the nuances of etiquette and social skills.

Aside from running her own business, Monika is also a skilled project coordinator at the University of New England, where she oversees the development and implementation of various initiatives. Her expertise extends beyond etiquette, with a Master's degree in Economics and years of experience in diverse fields including project management, accounting, finance, and procurement.

Business and Title

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Three words to describe you: 

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What do you love about CWB: 

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About:

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Director of Project Lighting Pty Ltd 

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Three words to describe you: 

Straight to the point (oh, that’s four words).

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What do you love about CWB: 

It’s a great community, I’ve met some great friends through our various events, and I have learned things that have saved my business money.

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About:

Now retired from 9 to 5 work, Maryanne was the chief executive of her family business, Project Lighting, an electrical wholesaler and lighting retailer for 16 years (28 years total service) and now maintains contact with the business as a director. She was awarded the CWB Business Woman of the Year in 2016 and has since continued in roles such as treasurer and general member. 

In retirement, Maryanne has many volunteer roles including mentoring in the Clemente program at Australian Catholic University and presenter and reader on Radio 1RPH.

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Business and Title

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Three words to describe you: 

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What do you love about CWB: 

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About:

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Co-Founder & CEO of National Community Care

Founder & Author of Project Kind

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Three words to describe you: 

outside the box

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What do you love about CWB: 

I love the meaningful connections CWB facilitates, all while also providing pathways to government to assist in creating real change for women in business and in our chosen fields. 

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About:

Natashia's driving force when running National Community Care stems from being on the receiving end of care herself. Natashia has dedicated the last 18 years of her life to the Healthcare / Community / Disability Sectors with the single goal to improve the standards simply by thinking outside of the box and speaking out against inadequate standards. This has had Natashia and her team recognised by ACT Health, Office of Disability, NDIA and the Human Rights Commissioner herself. 

In 2021, Natashia was titled CWB Businesswomen of the Year and in 2022 went on to publish her book 'Project Kind' and launch another business being a subscription box business to support working women striving to achieve it all.

Natashia is a strong believer, that in order to create  change, it has to start with you.  

Senior Lawyer, Shine Lawyers

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Three words to describe you: 

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What do you love about CWB: 

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About:

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Founder/Director of Gumnut Dance

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Three words to describe you: 

Determined, creative, resilient.

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What do you love about CWB: 

Running a business can be a lonely experience, so I love being able to connect and network with other like-minded business women. I love that CWB is supportive and inclusive of women in business, no matter what stage in their business journey they are at. I love learning about other people's businesses from all sorts of industries. I also love that CWB acts as an advocate for women in business and gives women a voice on important matters pertinent to business.

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About:

Justine is the founder, owner and Director of Canberra's favourite - Gumnut Dance, a leading creative dance education studio for children, located in Mitchell. Justine started Gumnut Dance in 2013 when she identified a large gap in the market, she decided to put her dance teaching skills to use and launched Gumnut Dance. 

Justine was named the CWB Small Businesswoman of the Year 2021 and is also a valued mentor in the CWB mentorship program.