The theme of International Women’s Day (IWD) this year is ‘Choose to Challenge’.
Here at Bullhorn, we aim to recognise and celebrate leaders within our industry who challenge the status quo in order to shape our industry for the better.
Below, we’ve highlighted 5 incredible women in recruitment that have challenged themselves, their teams, and elevated the recruitment industry overall. Read on for their stories.
In the spirit of International Women’s Day, we also invite you to recognise your colleagues that #choosetochallenge day in, day out. Download the LinkedIn banner below and celebrate these individuals by recognising the ways they’ve challenged and inspired you!
SUZIE MCINERNEY
CEO Six Degrees Executives
Suzie McInerney is the CEO of Six Degrees Executive, a market-leading recruitment agency in specialist and executive recruitment. With a natural aptitude for leadership, Suzie worked her way up in Six Degrees Executive to become the Director of Victoria. During this time, Six Degrees experienced exceptional advancement via both company growth and an increasing client base. Her passion for people and recruitment, partnered with a focus on leadership, business strategy, and innovation, saw Suzie become Six Degrees Executive’s first female CEO, taking the reins in 2019.
Suzie brings a wealth of knowledge to Six Degrees from a range of industries that she previously worked in, with eight years’ experience in consumer marketing and four years as the Director/Proprietor of an award-winning restaurant in Hawthorn. Suzie is a mentor in a program called Mentor Walks, volunteering her time to help aspiring leaders.
Read on to learn more about how Suzie:
- Leads the discussion on diversity, inclusion, and mental health
- Advocates for females holding leadership positions
- Challenges the perception of the recruitment industry
NIKKI BEAUMONT
Founder & CEO, Beaumont People
Nikki is the Founder and CEO of Beaumont People, setting up the business in 2001. Nikki runs the business with an entrepreneurial spirit, an innovative, forward-thinking marketing approach and a personal touch that makes Beaumont People a genuine industry stand-out.
She has led the charge in changing the face of the Australian recruitment industry in how it cares for its people, services, clients, candidates alike. The key to Nikki’s success has been the unfaltering investment she makes in her people – from guiding the careers of her team through personal mentoring and development to providing industry-leading training programs. In 2019, Beaumont People was awarded the 9th best place to work in Australia for businesses under 100 people. Nikki has also been recognised with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the RCSA, ranked as one of the Top 10 Women Entrepreneurs in 2018, and nominated as Telstra Business Women of the Year 2019.
Read on to learn more about how Nikki has:
- Implemented the first gender-neutral parental leave policy in the recruitment industry
- Spearheaded a change to the 4 day work week within the sector
- Developed a Not-for-Profit Division, saving charities $20 million in recruitment fees
KELLY VAN NELSON
Managing Director, Adecco
Kelly Van Nelson is the Managing Director of Adecco Australia. Kelly is an accomplished recruitment professional with experience gained in both Scotland and Australia. Kelly joined The Adecco Group in 2012 and has held several leadership positions across Modis (formerly Ajilon) and The Adecco Group.
Not only is Kelly the Managing Director of such a successful business, but she is also a #1 best-selling author of four books, including poetry books Graffiti Lane and Punch and Judy. She also had numerous short stories, poems, and non-fiction articles published on social issues.
Kelly has been recognised as a finalist for awards such as the 2020 CEO Magazine Managing Director of the Year, and the 2020 Telstra Business Women’s Award NSW (Medium and Large Enterprise). Kelly has been named the winner of AusMumpreneur Gold Award ‘Big Idea – Changing the World’ for leveraging spoken, visual, and written word to raise awareness around social issues including bullying, cyberbullying, domestic violence, gender equity, mental health, and suicide and the Double Roar Success Award for Best Book and Most Powerful Influencer.
Kelly is an Advocate for anti-bullying initiatives, Women in Leadership, STEM, gender equity, and workplace inclusiveness.
Read on to learn more about Kelly’s insight on:
- Embracing authenticity and your true self
- The importance of continued learning and having a mentor
- Preparing the workforce to aid skills shortage
TANIA SINIBALDI
Managing Director, Australasia at Brunel
A passionate and emotive leader, Tania Sinibaldi has overseen Brunel International N.V.’s operations throughout Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea since September 2019. With an illustrious 20+ year career in the recruitment industry, including a long tenure as Chandler Macleod Group’s Chief Operating Officer, Tania was handpicked to grow Brunel’s Australasian presence while also playing a pivotal role in the company’s overall direction as part of its Global Leadership Team.
A strong advocate of a lean and Humanocracy approach, Tania seeks to inspire, empower, and equip the people around her to build better businesses and workplaces. Her background includes growing and managing delivery teams, implementing specialist recruitment strategies, responding to changing markets through creative and innovative solutions, and shaping the careers of thousands of candidates.
Read on to learn more about how Tania has:
- Built a successful career from a young age
- Implemented inclusive leave entitlements
- Empowered young people during COVID-19 restrictions
STELLA PETROU CONCHA
CEO & Co-Founder at Reo+Purtell
Stella Petrou Concha is the Co-Founder, CEO, and driving force behind the fast-growing brand Reo Group. She founded Reo Group in her late twenties, and since then, the business has won many industry awards, including being named a BRW Fast 100 company. Stella was named one of Australia’s Top 10 Female Entrepreneurs in 2018 and has been nominated for the SARA awards as Recruitment Leader of the Year for 2019.
She has led three professional roundtable forums across her 15-year career, two of which she founded; Stellarvision, a forum for progressive women, and the Reo CFO Roundtable. She currently chairs for 2020 Exchange.
Stella has been featured many times in publications such as Women’s Agenda, Team Women Australia, Balancing the Grind, and The Carousel, talking on topics such as gender balance, leadership, and managing failure.
Read on to learn more about how Stella:
- Manages failure to find success
- Enriches recruiter’s professional development
- Endorses executive education in leadership
Spread the Message
Do you have a colleague or an industry peer you feel chooses to challenge? Download the attached banner and promote this person and why you feel they represent this year’s International Women’s Day theme on LinkedIn.
#ChooseToChallenge #IWD2021 #WomenInRecruitment