Australian CEO Excellence Awards 2025 Specialty Marketing CEO of the Year 2025 (Melbourne): Will Abdo In a world of excessive information, noise, and competition, it is imperative that entrepreneurs remain ahead of the crowd by establishing a foundation for success from the outset. Businesses and individuals alike can lead through clarity, discipline, and focus – three qualities essential for navigating the market with ease. Here to aid clients in discovering this inner-discipline – as well as improving focus and self-esteem – is Will Abdo, Founder and CEO of Webtrade Marketing. Following his recent recognition in the Australian CEO Excellence Awards 2025, we spoke with Will to find out more.
Australian CEO Excellence Awards 2025 Most Influential Automotive Industry Leader 2025: Neville Jacob Always striving for excellence, Jacob Group is an esteemed group of 37 other separate concentric businesses which are all related to the automotive industry. Furthermore, with five property companies involved, this group is able to cover a lot of exposure across a mixture of clients. Here we explore the Jacob Group’s dedication to its clients and team as Neville wins his title in our prestigious awards programme.
About the Australian CEO Excellence Awards 2025 APAC Insider is proud to announce the Australian CEO Excellence Awards 2025! As we embark on this monumental year, we celebrate the exceptional leadership and innovation that has positioned Australia as a global powerhouse in a rapidly evolving world. This prestigious award recognises the contributions of CEOs who are not just steering their companies to success but are also shaping Australia’s economic and societal landscape. Australia in 2025 stands at the forefront of exciting developments, with its economy reflecting resilience, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to progress. As a country rich in natural resources and brimming with talent, Australia has seen dynamic growth across key sectors, propelled by leaders who dare to push boundaries and explore new horizons. Home to a burgeoning tech ecosystem, Australia is quickly becoming a global leader in artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing, and renewable energy technologies. These advancements are supported by innovative CEOs who are not only driving cuttingedge R&D but also fostering collaboration with global partners to ensure Australia remains at the forefront of technological excellence. The mining industry, a key economic pillar, is embracing sustainable practices and advanced technologies to tackle environmental challenges while maintaining its global dominance. Sofi Parry, Senior Editor Website: www.apac-insider.com AI Global Media, Ltd. (AI) takes reasonable measures to ensure the quality of the information on this web site. However, AI will not assume any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, correctness or completeness of any information that is available through this web site. If errors are brought to our attention, we will try to correct them. The information available through the website and our partner publications is for your general information and use and is not intended to address any particular finance or investment requirements. In particular, the information does not constitute any form of advice or recommendation by us or any of our partner publications and is not intended to be relied upon by users in making or refraining from making any investment or financial decisions. Appropriate independent advice should be obtained before making any such decision. Any arrangement made between you and any third party named in the site is at your sole risk and responsibility.
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6. Webtrade Marketing Pty Ltd: Specialty Marketing CEO of the Year 2025 (Melbourne): Will Abdo 7. Jacob Group: Most Influential Automotive Industry Leader 2025: Neville Jacob 8. Ganbina: Most Empowering Indigenous Youth Programmes CEO 2025: Anthony Cavanagh 10. RMIA: Most Influential Risk Management Body CEO 2025 (New South Wales): Simon Levy 12. 16th Ave Creative Studio: Female-Led Design Agency CEO of the Year 2025 (Queensland): Samantha Bell 13. WAIVPAY: Digital Payment Solutions CEO of the Year 2025 (Sydney): Scott Shields 14. Nomadic Home & Garden Pty Ltd: Leading Creative Landscape Design CEO 2025 (Adelaide): Matthew Priest 15. Reventon: Best Holistic Wealth Planning CEO 2025: Chris Christofi 16. Ohana Community Services: Most Compassionate Community Services CEO 2025: Penny Cooper 17. Life Skills Victoria Inc: Most Outstanding Community Services NPO CEO 2025: Kyle Prasser 18. Unify Partners Real Estate Pty Ltd: Most Empowering Property Investment CEO 2025 (Melbourne): Jeanette Lee 19. Gizmoto Group Pty Ltd: Best Automotive Aftermarket Services CEO 2025 (Victoria): Dan Ekanayake 20. Revibes: Most Pioneering Reusable Packaging CEO 2025: Jack Charewicz & Award for Excellence in Circular Economy Dedication 2025 21. Unified Lawyers: Most Innovative Family Law CEO 2025 (New South Wales): Mark Machaalani 22. H5 Enterprises: Business Consulting Services CEO of the Year 2025 (Melbourne): John Paul Hirst 23. Victorian Aboriginal Health Service: Best Indigenous Healthcare CEO 2025: Michael Graham Contents
APAC Insider- Australian CEO Excellence Awards 2025 | 6 In a world of excessive information, noise, and competition, it is imperative that entrepreneurs remain ahead of the crowd by establishing a foundation for success from the outset. Businesses and individuals alike can lead through clarity, discipline, and focus – three qualities essential for navigating the market with ease. Here to aid clients in discovering this inner-discipline – as well as improving focus and self-esteem – is Will Abdo, Founder and CEO of Webtrade Marketing. Following his recent recognition in the Australian CEO Excellence Awards 2025, we spoke with Will to find out more. W e b t r a d e Marketing is a consulting company focused on promoting bilateral trade relations between Australia and the MENA region through cross cultural conversations, linguistics, and business intelligence – providing an immersive communications solution for informed and effective decision making. The company offers specialty marketing and business intelligence services to support clients with their marketing and business development, alongside aiding the facilitation of business, trade, and investment opportunities. Standing as the Founder and CEO of Webtrade Marketing is Will Abdo, a marketing and communications consultant with a specialty in business and trade. Will is renowned throughout the industry for his deep understanding of the cultural values and behaviours that impact relationships and business drivers, upholding a belief in delivering ethical, sophisticated, and trusted business engagements that foster sustainable business and trading environments. At his core, Will is guided by the values of honesty, ethics, acknowledgement, and a mutual respect for cultural differences. Utilising these values in his every endeavour, Will is on a mission to promote them within more sophisticated business and trade settings – making sure that operations are well-researched and performed with due diligence, that people are respected and relationships are built, and that every interaction leads to meaningful, ethical outcomes. Before entering the workforce, Will earned a bachelor of business and a graduate diploma in computer science with a focus on business intelligence. He brings with him more than 25 years of experience in international trade, public relations, business development, commercial intelligence reporting, and taxation. Now, Will leverages this expertise to promote and market investment opportunities in Australia and the Middle East, pertaining to industries such as real estate and construction, mining, education, health and fitness, tourism, hospitality, entertainment, and new and emerging technologies. “When embarking on a journey in international business relations, you quickly learn and realise how big, competitive, and challenging the environment is,” he told us. “There are so many factors impacting trade environments, both locally and internationally. To understand these dynamics, you build and strengthen so many skills in the process. Achieving my role as CEO came from recognising and harnessing these skills in my operational and communication engagements with clients and stakeholders.” Will founded Webtrade Marketing in 2000, guiding the consultancy with a leadership style rooted in authenticity. Over the last 25 years, challenges have certainly arisen – with the most challenging being steering the business through the fast-evolving world of technology and its complexities – especially within the trade and business sector – whilst managing it all on his own as the sole Director. For Will, finding new clients and undertaking new projects was equally testing, especially where staff required managing in different corporate cultural settings. But that did not slow Webtrade Marketing down. “Opportunities of growth, financial wellbeing, and raising the bar of creditability and competence were clearly present,” Will shared. “As the CEO and Founder of my own company for 25 years, I have developed a special relationship with my business – as if it were a true partner – allowing me the freedom to evolve and grow within my role.” Evolution and growth are two integral pillars of the world of international trade – a fastpaced landscape that demands continual adaptability. Looking ahead, Will plans to elevate Webtrade Marketing to the next level of consulting, focusing on ethical human relations and sustainable trading and business environments. Alongside this, he will be exploring opportunities in business and leadership coaching, helping to finetune personal brands for effective and impactful performance on the world stage. “The year 2024 was particularly challenging due to geopolitical tensions and a tough business environment here in Melbourne, and it taught me to be resilient and empathetic without being too caught up in the emotions of the situation,” Will reflected. “Looking ahead, 2025 is shaping up positively, with a focus on exploring new business opportunities in trade, refining strategies, and expanding into consulting – particularly in executive coaching, personal branding and modelling. Over the next five years, I envision myself collaborating with major corporate organisations and taking greater leadership roles across boards and notfor-profit organisations.” Contact: Will Abdo Company: Webtrade Marketing Pty Ltd Web Address: www.webtrademarketing.com & www.willabdo.com Specialty Marketing CEO of the Year 2025 (Melbourne): Will Abdo AIM-Jun25073
APAC Insider- Australian CEO Excellence Awards 2025 | 7 Always striving for excellence, Jacob Group is an esteemed group of 37 other separate concentric businesses which are all related to the automotive industry. Furthermore, with five property companies involved, this group is able to cover a lot of exposure across a mixture of clients. Here we explore the Jacob Group’s dedication to its clients and team as Neville wins his title in our prestigious awards programme. With the core values of vision, people, hard work, financial control, technology, concentric growth, and of course fun, the Jacob family has created a legacy business now withstanding 5 generations. Always thinking ahead of the curve, taking on industry trends and staying agile to keep ahead of market demands, Neville and the Jacob Group as a whole continue to improve the automotive industry for a plethora of clients across its region. The business strategy is centred around communication, direction, policies and procedures, and outcome, to ensure that the company – and its concentric partners are consistently on track to achieve a higher growth and success rate. In the same vein, Neville and his team are committed to monitoring KPIs with clear communication and direction throughout every business decision. Year upon year, the Jacob Group works tremendously hard to bolster its reputation with its clients, receiving many word-ofmouth recommendations for organic growth – and its team’s seamless ecosystem creates an environment for exponential success. Neville has always had a passion for motor vehicles, ever since he was a child. When he left school, he started studying mechanics, panel beating, welding, and spray painting at TAFE in Albury. Dedicated and passionate about his studies he even committed to three courses at one time and was away nearly every night of the week. Additionally, Neville was always full of enthusiasm and energy, especially when it came to starting work and his career. To this day, Neville has been an influential force in his industry – guaranteeing only the best relationships between the Jacob Group’s myriad of businesses and team members. He told us: “I find, when interacting with others, it’s important to have mutual respect and ensure support whenever required. We are a diversified company with concentric growth that complements every business we run.” The Jacob Group has such a rich history, Neville shared: “It all started with my grandfather Herman ‘Harry’ August Jacob who was born on May 18, 1899. Harry began working as a clerk for a coachbuilder and blacksmith at Walla Walla in 1915 at 16 years of age. After 10 years he ventured out on his own and purchased a small office on Commercial Street Walla Walla. In 1934 Harry acquired the HV McKay Massey Harris machinery franchise, and in 1942 his son Lionel joined the business resulting in the formation of H.A. Jacob & Son Pty. Ltd. Later, in 1967, I joined the company with my father, Lionel. “Harry Passed away in 1972 and Lionel became the managing director of H.A Jacob & Sons. It was in June 1975 that H. A. Jacob and Sons were appointed the Toyota franchise, and Jacob Toyota was born. So began decades of growth for the company with small local acquisitions at Henty and Corowa and eventually a large investment and building program in Albury - Wodonga.” Then, as the years passed by, the company experienced periods of huge growth with Neville & Susan carrying on the legacy of the business. They continued: “The Jacob Group of Companies is a locally owned family operated business with our core strengthsfocused around family values along with employees being at the heart of the business. With over 90 years of operation in the Albury Wodonga Region, you can feel confident that the products and customer service that you receive from our entire team will be second to none.” Investing in people throughout their time with the Jacob Group, there are over 600 staff members who each work tirelessly to adhere to the values of the company. Neville added: “Our most important commodity is our customer, and we are continually striving to improve our facilities and procedures in an endeavour to service their needs at a professional level so that they may share with us a vision of the future that we have for our family business” For his unwavering devotion to supporting the continual development of the business and its network of individuals, Neville has recently won the title of Most Influential Automotive Industry Leader 2025: Neville Jacob. We look forward to seeing what comes next for Neville, the team, and the Jacob Group as a whole. Contact: Neville Jacob Company: Jacob Group Website: https://jacobgroup.org/ Most Influential Automotive Industry Leader 2025: Neville Jacob AIM-Jun25108
Most Empowering Indigenous Youth Programmes CEO 2025: Anthony Cavanagh Every child has the potential to succeed, but not all are provided the opportunities and environments needed to actualise their abilities. Childhood is a crucial development phase, and lack of support during this time can lead to future difficulties. Based in Victoria, Ganbina is a leading company dedicated to mitigating this risk – empowering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people in unlocking their full potential. At the helm of Ganbina sits Anthony Cavanagh, a passionate individual committed to enacting change through Ganbina’s exceptional endeavours. He shared his journey to excellence with us, below. The Indigenous population in Australia is becoming increasingly distressed from the ongoing impacts of colonialism and, as a result, are much more likely to be impacted by low education attainment, high unemployment, and high welfare dependency in comparison to nonIndigenous Australians. Ganbina is a First Nations run-and-led charity running a school-to-worktransition programme for Australia’s Indigenous children and youth. For 12 years, Anthony Cavanagh has leveraged his core values of honesty, transparency, and authenticity to steer the organisation with an expert hand. Anthony experienced disadvantage in his own childhood, including family violence, abandonment, and homelessness as a teenager. Upon reflection of his hardships, he truly believes that the reason he was able to keep going through that incredibly difficult period was because he stayed in education. Throughout those difficult years, Anthony managed to complete his education and graduate from high school. Upon graduation, he entered the workforce. Anthony was skilled with his hands and so undertook a number of physical labouring positions for the first four years following high school, with his first professional services job appearing as an opportunity to work in government welfare at a boys’ home in the late 1980s. “What I endured as a young person helped me to understand what disadvantage looks like and how education is the key for Indigenous people to overcome generational disadvantage and break the cycle for themselves and future generations,” he recalled. “I was born into entrenched socio-economic disadvantage and came out the other side. If you had told 13-year-old me – who was stealing fruit from market stalls and sleeping in alleyways – that I would one day become a CEO, I would have laughed at you. I am passionate about the impact education can make to a young person’s life, no matter what their life circumstances are.” As he gained experience, Anthony was offered more managerial and supervisory roles – opportunities he happily accepted. He believes his life has led him down a path centred on giving back and shares his own personal experiences to ensure that children and young people can see a future for themselves, without having to face the same adversities that he had in his childhood. Today, Anthony strives to be authentic, encourage a better future for those around him, and always plan for tomorrow – rather than looking back at what cannot be changed. Before joining Ganbina, Anthony worked within the community services sector for two decades. He has gained experience working with disadvantaged people across a variety of settings, including people with disabilities and disadvantaged children residing in a boys’ home. Throughout these roles, Anthony developed his capabilities, as well as his understanding of the world around him. From each opportunity, he learned not only AIM-Jun25072 resilience, but creativity and effective leadership styles. Anthony became CEO of Ganbina in 2013, leveraging his passion for changing lives through education to drive the organisation forward. His primary responsibility is to lead the team, providing support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait children and young people so that they can enjoy a more positive and prosperous lifepath and future. For Anthony, his work is all about creating hope, building economic prosperity for young people to thrive in their futures, and supporting his staff in delivering the Ganbina promise to the Indigenous communities it works within. Ganbina’s programme addresses the key issues impacting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young peoples’ success in education, training, and employment. This includes – but is not limited to – school attendance, school engagement, in-school support through mentoring, fortnightly check-ins, employment and training opportunities for post-education careers, engagement and partnerships with families, numeracy and literacy skills, ensuring families remain connected to schools, and managing essential life documents – such as birth certificates, tax file numbers, and bank accounts. This programme has been shown to not only positively impact the rates of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Year 12 graduation, further education enrolment, and post-education employment rates, but has also reduced the rates of teenage pregnancy, youth crime, and mental health issues in these populations. Ganbina’s programme is now being expanded into other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, with the primary focus being to ensure educational, training, and professional success for every Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander child or young person whose education-toemployment journey passes through the programme. “In 2024, we had 404 clients – all of whom we approached with a shared passion to help them be the best version of themselves,” Anthony told us. “We are fixed on creating better futures for each of the kids on our programmes; we all have a significant part to play in the future and daily aspirations of each child. The team and I make a commitment to each child and young person, and to their families.” To fulfil this commitment, Ganbina geared its operations towards eradicating the broad-based issues of long-term generational unemployment and welfare dependency that is prevalent in Indigenous societies today. The company’s strategy is a highly practical, handson approach that provides a secure pathway for young people to move successfully through their school years and into mainstream employment. Its multifaceted methodology aims to help clients from an early age to fully understand the lifelong advantages that education and employment can offer; realise these advantages
APAC Insider- Australian CEO Excellence Awards 2025 | 9 are well within their reach; and empower them to achieve these advantages. For Anthony, his goal is to be the best leader and CEO that he can be to Ganbina – to lead and encourage his team, to guide them and help them with their careers, and to appropriately train them. As Ganbina grows and scales over the years, Anthony recognises that he cannot truly know everything and so, to achieve his ambitious goals, he surrounds himself with experts in various fields. He understands that it is important to know when you need help, and okay to seek out that help when it is needed most. This philosophy has aided him significantly, particularly within his early years at Ganbina. Within 12 months of starting his role of CEO, Anthony discovered that some of the company’s longer-term funders were ending their relationship with Ganbina. This would create a significant black hole; these funders provided 40% of Ganbina’s budget and, without replacing that money, the team would have had to shut their doors. Anthony decided to source new funding and partnerships but, instead of having one or two large funders providing half of the annual budget, he sourced more funders to support the company in much smaller amounts. “This created a lower risk profile, but the admin and management of all these new funders went through the roof,” Anthony explained. “I calculated that I was spending 60-70% of my day on admin, when what I really needed to spend the bulk of my time doing was sourcing funding for our programme. I knew I needed support, so I hired my first executive position with an executive assistant role created in 2014. Since then, I have been able to create more financial stability for our organisation by having more hours to dedicate to fundraising and partnerships and can now focus on the overarching strategic plan and vision for Ganbina.” For Ganbina, the future vision is bright. 2023 and 2024 saw immense success for Ganbina – not only in relation to the organisation’s achievements, but also the achievements of the children and young people on its programme. In 2025, Ganbina aims to build and leverage more partnerships, more corporate relationships, and more visibility throughout its work to empower and enhance even more lives. One of the organisation’s most recent ongoing projects has been its Expansion Project. Through this expansion, the Ganbina team seeks to share its successful school-to-work transition model with other Indigenous communities – not only in Australia, but around the world. This project is directly linked to Ganbina’s mission statement: to share the success of its operational model with the world, so that countless Indigenous communities can benefit from the success. Looking to the future, Anthony shared with us: “For the next five years – well, we are embarking and continuing down this path of enormous growth. Our expansion goals will take the best part of the next 15-20 years. So, over the next five years, we will likely remain focused on our strategic goals, while continuing to pursue our aspiration of becoming a national programme.” Contact: Anthony Cavanagh Company: Ganbina Web Address: www.ganbina.com.au
The Risk Management Institute of Australia Limited, or RMIA, is the largest professional association and the peak body for risk management practitioners across the Asia Pacific region. With more than three decades of experience in representing the practice of risk management, RMIA provides leadership, knowledge, and recognition for risk professionals – bringing networking, accreditation, professional development, and education opportunities for members across 18 different countries. Today, we celebrate Simon Levy, the Chief Executive Officer and Company Secretary of RMIA, recognised for his strategic leadership, commercial discipline, and the ability to reposition the Institute as a forward-looking force in the profession. We heard more from Simon below, as he is featured in the Australian CEO Excellence Awards 2025. For more than thirty years, RMIA has remained dedicated to serving the professional development needs of its diverse membership base, encompassing risk professionals from both private and public enterprises, across all major sectors of the economy. The company is on a mission to lead the risk management profession by setting high standards for competencies, guiding industry regulations, and upholding the highest ethical practices. To fulfil this mission, it provides cutting-edge education and professional development, opportunities to work within global communities, and value-added services for risk professionals that benefit their careers, business, and personal development. With a diverse membership spanning all sectors of the community and economy, RMIA’s clients include those from banking, finance, and insurance; engineering and construction; government; information technology and communications; management consulting, education, and training; mining and resources; notfor-profit; security and cyber risk; and utilities and services backgrounds. Across these industries, RMIA facilitates connections and provides ongoing professional development through its Annual Conference, Risk Odyssey Conferences, Best Practice Guides, Special Interest Groups, Chapter Networking Events, and Education Programs. At the helm of RMIA’s superior solutions sits Simon Levy – a CEO and Company Secretary boasting more than 25 years of experience in leading and transforming organisations across various sectors. Through an array of highlevel roles, such as Non-Executive Director, CEO, and Senior Risk Leader, Simon has collaborated closely with senior executives of globally recognised brands and organisations – contributing to the strategic direction by building capability, driving execution, and aligning decision making with long term value. Across his roles, Simon has gained and developed a number of core skills that he has carried throughout his journey, including strategic execution and organisational growth, commercial leadership and revenue diversification, modernisation and change management, board engagement and governance, and thought leadership and advocacy. These skills have guided Simon throughout his professional success, transferring into commercial acumen, operational leadership, stakeholder engagement, and risk mindset – skills that now enable him to lead RMIA to success. Simon joined RMIA in March 2021, as its Chief Executive Officer and Company Secretary. His role is to lead the growth, influence, and modernisation of Australia’s peak risk management body while ensuring that RMIA delivers clear value – commercially, professionally, and strategically. In his position, Simon focuses on driving membership growth and risk certifications, building commercial partnerships and sponsorships, modernising operations for greater speed and impact, and delivering revenue through training programs and events. The journey to CEO has not been without its challenges – as Simon was met with significant adversity at the very beginning of his career at RMIA. Where many leaders would falter, however, Simon stood firm and resilient, ready to lead his team to success. Simon became CEO in March 202, stepping in at a pivotal moment for the RMIA. The organisation was navigating the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, with immediate pressure to stabilise operations, protect cash flow, and shift to digital delivery — all while operating under legacy systems and limited resourcing. Many would have paused or pulled back. Instead, Simon moved quickly to reset the organisation’s direction and rebuild confidence. Since then, he has led RMIA through recovery and repositioning — driving digital transformation, overhauling outdated structures, reforming certification, and diversifying revenue through new training programs, commercial partnerships, and sponsorships. At the same time, RMIA has strengthened its voice in the profession through national advocacy, sharper storytelling, and stronger engagement across the sector. “As CEO, my focus isn’t on managing risk directly — it’s on building the systems, standards, and strategy that empower others to do it well,” Simon explains. “RMIA exists to lift the profession, and that means Most Influential Risk Management Body CEO 2025 (New South Wales): Simon Levy AIM-Jun25184
APAC Insider- Australian CEO Excellence Awards 2025 | 11 thinking ahead of the curve and leading with purpose.” Today Simon leads RMIA by example, demonstrating commercial discipline, pragmatism, and a strong focus on results and relationships – ensuring that shared goals are not only discussed but delivered. He keeps a shared focus on the company’s common goals and vision by starting each project with absolute clarity: defining what success looks like, why it matters, and how it aligns with RMIA’s strategy. Simon breaks down goals into clear and staged plans complete with priorities, timelines, and accountabilities. By promoting consistent communication, regular progress reviews, and strategic storytelling, both the RMIA team and its stakeholders remain focused and aligned. This mindset is also how Simon and his team approach clients and new projects – with a distinct focus on clarity, outcomes, and commercial discipline. From the outset, Simon defines success and how it will be measured, ensuring that each member of the team is directly aligned with the envisioned outcome. Every engagement is designed to align with RMIA’s broader strategic priorities, whether it’s generating revenue, increasing member value, or strengthening its influence in the risk profession. “My approach is structured and pragmatic,” Simon told us. “I break projects into clear phases, assess commercial viability, and always consider resourcing and risk. I prioritise the smartest, most achievable path forward – ensuring high quality outcomes without overreach. Risk awareness is embedded in every plan, with contingencies and early feedback loops to stay on track.” At RMIA, relationships matter. A leader in his field, Simon understands that relationships are equally important as strategy – and so ensures to invest upfront into understanding client needs and industry contexts before offering solutions. With Simon in charge, every engagement must solve a real problem and deliver practical, trusted value. He ensures that each member of the team mirrors this approach by embedding structure, clear expectations, and regular coaching into RMIA’s operations, actively reviewing each team member’s project management capabilities and client relationships, providing productive and actionable feedback that reinforces the standards for which RMIA has become renowned. RMIA enjoys a leading position, sitting at the very forefront of industry development thanks to Simon’s expertise. Moving forward, RMIA’s future aspirations will centre on establishing itself as the leading standard-setting body for risk management across Australasia, one widely recognised for advancing professional excellence, education, and industry leadership. Under Simon’s guidance, the team will focus on growing competencybased certification to lift capability across the profession, expanding training programs to support career development, and strengthening RMIA’s voice in shaping risk management policy and practice. At its core, RMIA is a forwardlooking company seeking to reshape and restructure the industry’s standards. From its client-focused approach to its ongoing commitment to internal training and improvement, the company has certainly proven itself to be one continually ahead of the game. With Simon positioned securely at its helm, steering the team with his unrivalled understanding of the industry – not to mention the invaluable skills gained over his years of leadership – RMIA is well-prepared to champion the industry’s evolution and secure the prosperous future of future professionals to come. “Risk management is evolving fast,” Simon told us, “from compliance to strategic advisory; from static frameworks to dynamic monitoring; and from narrow technical focus to broad organisational value creation. Risk professionals who remain adaptive – those building commercial, digital, and leadership capability – will lead this next phase.” Contact: Simon Levy Company: RMIA Web Address: www.rmia.org.au
APAC Insider- Australian CEO Excellence Awards 2025 | 12 Based in Brisbane, 16th Ave Creative Studio is a female-led design agency delivering exceptional marketing services rooted in empowerment. Since its inception, the agency has upheld an unfaltering dedication to supporting female-led service businesses in building brands that truly stand out. 16th Ave Creative Studio is headed by Samantha Bell, its Founder, CEO, and Creative Director – an innovative individual who stepped away from the monotonous corporate lifestyle to follow her dreams and inspire others to do the same. We spoke with Samantha below, in the wake of her recent success in the Australian CEO Excellence Awards 2025. Before Samantha Bell had ever held a title, built a brand, or earned an award, she lived a rich and varied life that equipped her with a wealth of transferrable skills, real-world resilience, and deep, personal insight. Her journey to CEO isn’t one described as “climbing the ladder” but rather building the staircase from scratch – a feat accomplished with a fierce sense of purpose and a deep belief in what women can achieve when empowered to rewrite the rules. In 2018, Samantha decided to take a leap from a longstanding corporate career – desperate to liberate herself from the creativitykilling monotony of her nineto-five career. She felt that her time and talent had been wasted fuelling the greed of the corporate giants and yearned to follow her own dreams – carving out a life that she loved while inspiring purpose-driven female entrepreneurs to build their own. From this dream, 16th Ave Creative Studio was born, helping women build standout brands, scalable platforms, and fulfilling businesses that directly align with their unique values and lifestyles. “At the heart of 16th Ave Creative Studio is a powerful belief: when women lead, the world changes,” said Samantha. “We are more than a brand studio – we are an advocacy-driven, strategic creative partner for women who are committed to making a meaningful impact in the world. Our mission is to elevate female founders into premium leadership through powerful digital platforms, bold messaging, and sustainable business models that honour their energy, values, and vision.” As CEO of 16th Ave Creative Studio, Samantha leads her team with clarity, calm, and purpose. She doesn’t believe that leadership is about control, but creating a strong vision, providing a clear direction, and then empowering others to take ownership and thrive within that framework. Samantha recognises that her role within the agency is to hold the bigger picture – the vision, values, strategy, and future direction – while equipping her team with the trust, tools, and support they need to bring that vision to life. When establishing 16th Ave Creative Studio, Samantha was not merely building a design studio; she set her sights further and built a platform for change. Her vision extended far beyond branding and websites. As she explains: “At 16th Ave Creative Studio, we don’t just help women look professional – we help them feel powerful. We help them be seen for who they truly are and where they are going. We support their evolution into becoming leaders, visionaries, and changemakers. Because when women lead businesses that are aligned, profitable, and spacious, the impact ripples far beyond their own success. It strengthens families, shifts industries, and reshapes communities.” Samantha’s mission is a powerful reminder that design can be a catalyst for deeper empowerment – and that when women rise in business, the world changes with them. The future of 16th Ave Creative Studio is wholly focused on doing what matters, as Samantha steers the agency with an expert hand – remaining anchored in strategy and expansion in vision. Moving forward, she aims to continue building and scaling a business that not only supports women in rising but also models what is truly possible when they lead, create, and live differently. It is this approach that enables 16th Ave Creative Studio to thrive in a market saturated by big voices and limited support – driven by an exceptional CEO’s unrelenting commitment to female-led empowerment. “Being named Queensland’s Female-Led Design Agency CEO of the Year 2025 is an incredible honour,” she shared, “not just for me, but for every woman I’ve collaborated with, mentored, and lifted up. This award isn’t the destination – it’s a launchpad. It’s a powerful moment of visibility, and I plan to use it to uplift other women in business, share more of my frameworks publicly, and continue advocating for systems that centre women’s voices and experiences. Because this award isn’t just a reflection of my work – it is a celebration of every woman building a business on her terms.” Contact Details Contact: Samantha Bell Company: 16th Ave Creative Studio Web Address: www.16thavecreative.com Female-Led Design Agency CEO of the Year 2025 (Queensland): Samantha Bell Jul25146
APAC Insider- Australian CEO Excellence Awards 2025 | 13 Once reserved for holidays and birthdays, gifting has become a year-round strategy for brands seeking loyalty. Today, payment tech is not just about transactions – it is about emotions, immediacy, and impact. WAIVPAY sits at the very heart of this evolution, a leading white-label payment platform provider of branded incentives that inspire loyalty and engagement in target audiences. The company is helmed by Scott Shields, its Chief Executive Officer who has been recognised for his prowess in the Australian CEO Excellence Awards 2025. Founded in 2010, WAIVPAY was born from a desire to pioneer payment solutions for gifting, loyalty, and rewards. For 15 years, the company has been delivering flexible solutions that change the ways in which its clients’ customers can access, gift, and redeem money – and ultimately, how they engage with the clients themselves. Operating across Australia, New Zealand, The United Kingdom and Europe, WAIVPAY serves a diverse client base, from independent shopping centres and large Tier one Grocery Retailers to banks and government bodies to corporate and SME clients seeking a self-service platform for delivering or selling rewards or gift cards. WAIVPAY offers a comprehensive suite of solutions that includes open and closed loop payment solutions, customised reward and incentive platforms, and branded gift card programs. Across its operations, the company’s bespoke products are expertly designed to integrate easily into each client’s current systems and processes – creating an effective and efficient solution tailored directly to their requirements. Scott Shields is a payment professional, possessing more than 25 years of experience in leading and developing solutions for the world’s largest businesses. An accomplished and respected executive with several years of progressive management, development, and strategy under his belt, Scott is widely recognised by his colleagues for his ability to understand the various nuances of businesses challenges and, most importantly, provide measurable value by developing pragmatic solutions to those issues. Over the years, Scott has upheld positions across a number of industries, with each role teaching him an invaluable lesson about leadership. His extensive experience spans financial services, retail, telecommunications, loyalty, and rewards and recognition products. Since embarking on his professional journey, Scott has helped major brands with the global launches of their physical and digital products and has even had an innovation patent for his work with telecommunication companies in Australia. An expert in his field, he also provides advisory services for telecommunication, loyalty, and rewards to retail businesses from around the world. As founding member of the Blackhawk Network’s ASIAPAC team, Scott held key senior roles including Head of IT and Operations and Managing Director ASIAPAC. He initially began with the company in 2007 as Head of IT and Operations, before moving to the role of VP of Technology and Operations in the ASIAPAC branch, VP of Retail for Australia and South Korea, and finally Managing Director and VP of ASIAPAC. Throughout his positions within Blackhawk Network, Scott was instrumental in building the business and supporting its expansion across the Asia-Pacific region. Today, Scott stands as the CEO of WAIVPAY. He joined the company as its Chief Operating Officer in May 2021, before rising to assume the Chief Executive Officer position in August 2023. A talented leader with strong operating experience and exceptional relationship building capabilities, Scott has earned the well-deserved support of each colleague, team member, and business partner he engages with. He utilises his operational experience to easily anticipate the needs of the market, seamlessly steering WAIVPAY towards success. For more than 25 years, Scott has demonstrated an unrivalled prowess for progression – upheld across his managerial, developmental, and strategical endeavours. He possesses a comprehensive knowledge, not only of his products and solutions, but also of the market’s landscape and what it would take to succeed within certain realms. This knowledge has been instrumental to his prosperous journey, enabling him to deliver value, trust, and peace of mind to clients, colleagues, and stakeholders alike. The Australian CEO Excellence Awards are held to celebrate the exceptional leadership and innovation that has enabled Australia to stand as a hub of excellence in a rapidly evolving world. Through this prestigious programme, we at APAC Insider hope to recognise and highlight the CEOs who are not merely leading a team but are contributing to the sustained success of Australia’s economic and societal landscape. Ever since he first entered the industry, Scott has displayed leadership, strategy, knowledge, and respect – an incomparable blend that has earned him the title of Sydney’s Digital Payment Solutions CEO of the Year 2025. Company: WAIVPAY Web Address: www.waivpay.com Digital Payment Solutions CEO of the Year 2025 (Sydney): Scott Shields c
APAC Insider- Australian CEO Excellence Awards 2025 | 14 Nomadic Home & Garden is one of South Australia’s fastest growing landscaping and renovation companies. The company began as a small lawn mowing service and has quickly evolved to become a multi-disciplinary company offering landscape design, general property maintenance, and renovations. Sitting at the helm of this rapid evolution is Matthew Priest, the Founder and CEO expertly steering the company to success. We caught up with Matthew for more, as he is named in the Australian CEO Excellence Awards 2025. Leading Creative Landscape Design CEO 2025 (Adelaide): Matthew Priest Matthew Priest is an emerging entrepreneur with a lifetime of experience in running businesses – spanning sales, fitness, aquatics, bathroom renovations, and now landscaping and renovations. He holds a Certificate IV in building and construction, a Certificate III in wall and floor tiling, Certificate III and IV in fitness, and certification in test and tag electrical safety compliance. These qualifications, paired with almost two decades of realworld experience across sales, trade, business, and leadership, provide Matthew with a unique foundation for both strategic and practical decision making. For Matthew, founding Nomadic Home & Garden was a natural progression, one that combined his extensive firsthand trade experience with his unrivalled entrepreneurial drive. Across his roles, Matthew has built a comprehensive suite of skills, including leadership, strategic planning, customer service, systems development, and team building – all of which he has seamlessly transferred into his role as CEO of Nomadic Home & Garden. “My unique selling proposition lies in my ability to combine entrepreneurial vision with hands-on trade and design experience,” he told us. “I feel equally at home building a business growth strategy as I do leading a site consultation or troubleshooting a complex landscaping issue. This balance has allowed me to position Nomadic Home & Garden not only as a trusted service provider, but as a leading brand known for its innovation, community values, and commitment to excellence.” Leading his company with an expert hand, Matthew has overseen the rapid scaling of his teams, systems, and service offerings, all while ensuring Nomadic Home & Garden’s core values of integrity, reliability, and creativity remain firmly embedded in its operations. Now, Matthew is surrounded by an incredible team – his sister Krystle, who oversees accounts and customer relations – providing ultimate professionalism and care; Alan, Head of Garden Operations, who has been with the company since the beginning and is not only a key leader but a trusted friend and mentor; and Elena, Head of Landscape Design, whose creative excellence and precision elevates every project she touches. “My leadership style is all about building people up,” said Matthew. “Even when I need to address mistakes or areas for improvement, I always make sure my team knows that I believe in them 100%. I focus on their strengths, remind them of what they are capable of, and never let doubt creep in about whether they can succeed. If they know I trust them, they are more likely to trust themselves. The qualities I value most when working with others are honesty, accountability, respect, and a willingness to learn. With those in place, we stay united and move toward the same vision.” This leadership style has proven immensely successful for Matthew, having seen Nomadic Home & Garden scale significantly in size over the years. The challenge has not always been easy for the company, with Matthew citing the biggest challenges to be financial. Early in the company’s establishment, he was unable to access loans due to a poor credit rating. But Matthew built the business from the ground-up – tool by tool, job by job. Despite the adversity, Nomadic Home & Garden persisted. In just a few short years, the company has grown to a fleet of five utility vehicles, a tipper truck, a warehouse and office in Stepney, and a team of staff and contractors almost 20 experts strong. This journey has been difficult, but it has shaped Matthew’s leadership, allowing him to lead with precision, purpose, and most importantly, gratitude. “I care deeply about the people I work with and the clients we serve,” he shared. “Every job we do, every person we hire, and every challenge we face is a chance to make a difference. My journey hasn’t been perfect. It has been full of lessons, hard work, and a lot of personal growth. But I think that is what makes our story relatable. I am proud of what we have built, but even prouder of how we have built it – with honesty, grit, and care. If that can inspire someone else to back themselves, take a risk, or believe they can turn things around – then it has all been worth it.” Contact: Matthew Priest Company: Nomadic Home & Garden Pty Ltd Web Address: www. nomadichomegarden.com.au Jul25004
APAC Insider- Australian CEO Excellence Awards 2025 | 15 Jun25211 Melbourne-based Reventon is a holistic wealth and financial services firm founded by multi-awardwinning entrepreneur Chris Christofi. Providing end-to-end wealth creation services, including strategic property investment, property management, financial planning, finance and lending solutions, buyer’s advocacy, and specialised accounting and tax services, Reventon is dedicated to helping Australians build and protect their wealth for now and generations to come. Featuring in this programme for the second consecutive year, we caught up with Chris to learn more about his journey and mission When Chris Christofi founded Reventon in 2005, he operated out of his parents’ home with a clear vision: to help Australian families create, build, and protect their wealth through property investment. Fast forward to today, Reventon has grown into one of Australia’s leading holistic wealth firms, having helped more than 10,000 clients and facilitated over $3.55 billion in property and finance sales. The company also manages more than $1.01 billion in client assets and finance. Chris’s career began in sales at 17, but his success is the result of relentless learning, a passion for self-development, and a leadership style built on integrity and growth. Drawing from early roles in sales and hospitality, combined with years of studying business and personal development, Chris has developed expertise in leadership, communication, and strategic thinking—skills that have helped scale Reventon into a nationally recognised firm. “These learnings have helped me scale Reventon, mentor others, and position myself as a thought leader in holistic wealth planning.” Reventon’s mission is clear: to help clients create wealth through property investment to support families now and for generations to come. Every client relationship begins with a clear understanding of their goals, risk tolerance, and long-term vision. Through its fully integrated service model— covering property investment, property management, financial planning, finance, buyer’s advocacy, and accounting— Reventon provides clients with convenience, cost efficiency, and a single trusted partner for their wealth journey. The firm’s excellence is reflected in its reputation, maintaining a 4.9-star Google rating across more than 500 reviews and achieving 34% repeat clients in 2024, a testament to strong trust and long-term relationships. Reventon is also a certified Great Place to Work™ (2024 and 2025), with 96% of staff rating it a great place to work and 100% agreeing they are treated fairly regardless of age, gender, race, or sexual orientation. These results are driven by robust training, a culture built on its core values (Client Experience, Integrity, Relentless, One Team, and We Care), and leadership development programs like Mastery Club and Lunch & Learn. Philanthropy with Purpose Outside of business, Chris’s commitment to giving back is unmatched. Since 2018, he has personally raised more than $1.2 million to combat homelessness through the Vinnies CEO Sleepout, becoming the all-time highest national CEO fundraiser in 2025. This year alone, he raised $400,000, which provided over 1,200 individual support programs, 3,333 beds, and 13,333 meals for vulnerable Australians. Chris also launched the Brick by Brick Project, purchasing, building, selling, and donating a home that sold for $840,000 to St Vincent de Paul to expand their homelessness services. As part of this initiative, Reventon donated $250 for every property investment purchased by its clients, directly contributing to the fundraising total. “These achievements reflect what we do at Reventon—build wealth with purpose,” Chris shares. Looking ahead, Chris is focused on continuing to inspire others through business and philanthropy. In 2025, Reventon is expanding its property management division into Western Australia (following successful growth in Victoria, Queensland, and South Australia) and developing innovative solutions for underserved markets, including bespoke services for single and separated individuals. Long term, Chris’s goal is to cement Reventon as Australia’s most trusted holistic wealth partner and launch pioneering ventures designed to solve real problems. Company: Reventon Web Address: https://reventon.com.au/ Best Holistic Wealth Planning CEO 2025: Chris Christofi
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