Two of the Australia's most prominent sporting and business success stories will share their journey to the top of their fields at the first Bond University Entrepreneurial Women's Series event for 2017 on Thursday, 9 February.Â
Australian Rugby Foundation director and Buildcorp principal, Josephine Sukkar and Gold Coast Titans chairwoman and James Frizelle's Automotive Group operations manager, Rebecca Frizelle, will present at the intimate luncheon, being held in Bond's University Club from 12.00pm.
As Principal and co-founder of Buildcorp for the past 27 years, Josephine Sukkar manages nearly 300 employees and a business that has delivered over $4billion in projects across the eastern seaboard of Australia.
Along with her role as President of the Australian Women's Rugby Union, her company Buildcorp has been a key supporter and sponsor of the code for over 25 years, including its recent sponsorship of the Australian Women’s Rugby XVs team, the Buildcorp Wallaroos.
Josephine will expand on her experience with The NSW Property Council's Diversity Committee, and her endeavours to attract and retain women in the sector through outreach/education initiatives, professional development and mentoring opportunities.
Outside of construction and sport, Josephine is the Chair of the Buildcorp Foundation and a director of Opera Australia, The Centenary Institute and the Australian Rugby Foundation.
She was the 2016 Chair of the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Judging Panel, is a member of the Nominations Committee of the Australian Rugby Union and a member of the Judging Panel on the General Sir John Monash Scholarship Foundation.
Josephine is currently working on an independent review panel for the Menzies Research Centre, led by ex-BCA President Tony Shepherd AO, to develop a list of national challenges and provide recommendations to government and the business community.
Rebecca, the first female club chairperson in the National Rugby League (NRL), will discuss her rise in both the sporting and corporate sectors, and how her 25 years of experience in business and workforce development has enhanced her role at the Gold Coast Titans.
As a key national manager and strategist at James Frizelle's, Rebecca has been a pivotal force in expanding the company's staff from 16 to more than 650 across six locations and two states, and oversees the Group's national and international negotiations, including the acquisition and growth of world-class brands.
She has also steered James Frizelle's commitment to community and will discuss her support of a number of educational, sporting and charitable organisations, including the Gold Coast Marathon, Ronald McDonald Charity House, Burleigh Bears, Fight Duchenne Foundation, Gold Coast Women in Business and surf lifesaving clubs.
Bond University Pro Vice-Chancellor, Pathways & Partnerships, Catherine O'Sullivan, said the event provided an educational platform to inspire the community and the business leaders of tomorrow.
"The luncheon is a great opportunity to gain insight from two extremely successful women and celebrate their individual achievements across the business and sporting sectors," she said.
"Both Josephine and Rebecca are exceptional role models for those in the corporate world, along with the next generation of women planning their careers, no matter what field they want to pursue.
"We look forward to welcoming both of these inspirational women to Bond and hearing their unique stories and advice on aiming high and reaching your goals."