Telstra has been recognising and celebrating women in business who are doing world class work for 23 years through Australia's longest running and most esteemed women's awards program – the Telstra Business Women's Awards.

Joe Pollard said “Our Alumni tell us the Awards provide them with a platform to be seen and heard, offer excellent networking opportunities, and give them a chance to reflect upon business and personal achievements.” 

This year Violet Roumeliotis, Chief Executive Officer of not-for-profit Settlement Services International Limited (SSI), is the Telstra Australian Business Woman of the Year. Telstra’s 2017 Australian Young Business Women’s Award winner is Elise Apolloni of Capital Chemist Wanniassa in Canberra.  

Violet has been the CEO of SSI since 2012. Recognised for her social entrepreneurship and raising awareness of the economic value of migration, Roumeliotis is the brains behind various initiatives that have seen companies such as Allianz Australia run employment programs, as well establishing Australia’s first bespoke refugee entrepreneurship initiative, Ignite Small Business Start-ups (Ignite).

Violet said, “The not-for-profit sector is thriving with social entrepreneurs, driven by passion and determination. Many would be surprised to know just how effective community organisations are at developing world-class initiatives that address key social challenges and provide a win-win for business and community.” 

Telstra Business Women’s Awards Ambassador, Group Executive Media and Chief Marketing Officer, Joe Pollard said Violet has “demonstrated resilience and ingenuity in finding new revenue streams to keep the mission alive and make an impact, and has pioneered new initiatives including the Ignite Small Business Start-ups initiative.”

Violet also took home the 2017 Telstra Australian For Purpose And Social Enterprise Award.

Young Business Women’s Award winner Elise Apolloni of Capital Chemist Wanniassa has worked in pharmacies since she was 14 years old. As a qualified pharmacist, as well as manager and partner in Capital Chemist Wanniassa, Elise wants to make a positive impact on the health of the community and to connect customers with the most passionate and educated pharmacy health experts in Canberra. Elise is also a motivated advocate for mental health issue awareness, volunteering as a telephone crisis supporter at Lifeline Canberra and a phone counsellor for the National Pharmacists' Support Service, as well as becoming an instructor for 'Mental Health First Aid' training.

“I believe pharmacists are massively under-utilised health professionals, and that women make amazing leaders in business. The world needs more people who challenge norms, bring up issues which can be uncomfortable to talk about and raise awareness of health conditions” she said.

The full list of national and state award winners and finalists can be found at Telstra’s Business Womans Awards website.