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Trailblazers and People-First Leaders Honoured at The CEO Magazine 2025 Executive of the Year Awards

The CEO Magazine

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Last night, The CEO Magazine celebrated its 15th annual Executive of the Year Awards, recognising the best of Australian business leaders in a glittering ceremony hosted by Larry Emdur at The Crown Melbourne. Dr Jane Oppenheim of Ego Pharmaceuticals was named CEO of the Year, while Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Jan Owen AM was honoured for her extraordinary contribution to social innovation and youth advocacy. The evening also recognised eight companies through Virgin Unite’s 100% Human at Work initiative, led by Sir Richard Branson.

 

CEO of the Year: Dr Jane Oppenheim

As Scientific and Operations Director of Ego Pharmaceuticals, Jane Oppenheim has driven the Australian-made company’s innovation and growth in dermatological skincare. Under her leadership, Ego has expanded advanced production facilities, embraced new technology and delivered products that improve people’s lives. A passionate, people-focused leader, Jane prioritises employee upskilling and job satisfaction while championing sustainability initiatives that reduce carbon output, minimise water and energy usage and cut waste. Her strategic vision and dedication to science-driven innovation have cemented her reputation as one of Australia’s most influential and effective leaders.

 

Lifetime Achievement Award: Jan Owen AM

Co-Founder and Principal of AdaptabilityQ, Jan Owen is a trailblazer and changemaker who has spent decades building multi-sector alliances, leading global advocacy campaigns for the rights of children and young people and championing the future of education, work and entrepreneurship. Her leadership has inspired collaboration across community, business, government and philanthropy to create meaningful, lasting change. Jan’s impact has been recognised nationally – she was named one of Australia’s True Leaders in 2018, overall winner of The Australian Financial Review and Westpac Woman of Influence Awards in 2012 and received membership to the Order of Australia in 2000.

 

Her extensive experience includes roles with Learning Creates Australia, the Foyer Foundation, Cool Australia and Save the Children’s Impact Fund, among others.

On receiving her award, Jan said: “It’s an incredible honour to receive this recognition. My life’s work has been about empowering young people to imagine and build a better future – for themselves and for all of us. This award is really a celebration of the many extraordinary people and organisations who continue to believe in the power of purpose, collaboration and change.” 

The CEO Magazine Founder, Chris Dutton, added: “Jan Owen represents everything this award stands for – purpose, leadership and unwavering commitment to making a difference. Her impact on education, leadership and social innovation is extraordinary, and she continues to inspire future generations of changemakers.”

100% Human at Work Award

This year, The CEO Magazine’s 100% Human at Work Award recognised a collective of organisations who are collaborating to pioneer a bold, human-cantered approach to the nation’s skills crisis.  The 2025 recipients are: Deloitte Australia, AMP, Commonwealth Bank, Hays Specialist Recruitment, SMEC, SunRice, Future Skills Organisation and Capability.Co. These organizations were selected by the judges, including The CEO Magazine’s Chris Dutton and Virgin Unite’s Anna Gowdridge, for their commitment to human-centered leadership, collective business action, innovation and driving meaningful workplace change.

 

Anna Gowdridge, Programs Director of Virgin Unite, said: “I am incredibly proud of the global movement that 100% Human at Work continues to shape. This collective demonstrates what it means to work together to drive impact, creating a better future for current and future generations. We are delighted to partner with The CEO Magazine once again to celebrate companies that exemplify this spirit.”

 

Executive of the Year Awards Judging Panel 2025.

The awards were judged by leaders across Australian business, including  Louise Baxter, CEO and Executive Director, Starlight Children’s Foundation;  Jose Da Silva, Group CEO & Executive Director, Wilson Group; John Karagounis, CEO and Executive Chair, The CEO Circle; Jérôme Debreu, CEO, Kiekert; James Thornton, CEO, Intrepid Travel; Colleen Callander, Founder, Callander & Co.; Jason Price, Chief Sales Officer, Capgemini; Christian Stevens, CEO, Flint and Farmers Finance Australia; Chris Dutton, Founder, The CEO Magazine and Anna Dutton, Co-Founder and Executive Director, The CEO Magazine.

 

For more information or to arrange interviews, please contact:

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ASSET LINK HERE:

2025 CEO OF THE YEAR AWARDS // CROWN MELBOURNE - Google Drive

 

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Winners of The CEO Magazine’s 2025 Executive of the Year Awards

1. = Winner
2. = Runner-Up
3. = Highly Commended

 

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Jan Owen                               Principal                                              AdaptabilityQ

 

CEO OF THE YEAR

1.  Jane Oppenheim               Scientifc & Operations Director          Ego Pharmaceuticals

2.  Mark Middleton                  CEO                                                    Icon Group

3.  Michelle Aquilina                CEO                                                    MoleMap Australia and New Zealand

 

PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT AND REAL ESTATE EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR

1. Scott O’Neill                        Founder & CEO                                  Rethink Group

2. Timothy Cocaro                  Founder & CEO                                  canibuild

3. Ron Bakir                            CEO                                                    Homecorp

 

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR

1. Scott Stavretis                     Founder & CEO                                  Acquire Intelligence

2. David Gagovski                  CEO and Managing Director              Cleaning Melbourne and Cleaning Brisbane

3. Ainslie van Onselen            CEO                                                    Chartered Accounts Australia and NZ

 

NOT-FOR-PROFIT EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR

1. Sonya Smart                       CEO                                                    VMCH

2. Deborah Thomas                CEO                                                    Camp Quality

3. Justine Cain                        Group CEO                                         Diabetes Australia

 

MANUFACTURING EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR

1. Jane Oppenheim                Scientific Operations Director             Ego Pharmaceuticals

2. Martin Merrick                    President & CEO                                Volvo Group Australia

3. Stuart Whiley                      CEO & Managing Director                  ASC

 

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR

1. Edward Chung                    CEO & Managing Director                  Technology One

2. James Lancaster                Founder & CEO                                  Renew IT

3. Nicholas Flood                    CEO                                                    IBM

 

HEALTHCARE EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR

1. Mark Middleton                   CEO                                                    Icon Group

2. Michelle Aquilina                 CEO                                                    MoleMap Australia & New Zealand

3. Yasser Zaki                         Global CEO                                        Tender Loving Care

 

ENERGY AND MINING EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR

1. Steven Fordham                 Co-Founder and Managing Director  Blackrock Industries

2. Chris Mark Williams            CEO                                                    Global Engineering and Construction

3. Joseph Oliver                     Co-Founder and Managing Director  Delorean Corporation                        

 

CONSUMER AND LIFESTYLE EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR

1. DJ McCready                      CEO & Co-Founder                            Mountain Culture Beer Co.

2. Laura Goldberg                   COO                                                   Hurricane’s Grill

3. Fiona Rose                          CEO                                                   Fitness Passport

 

CONSTRUCTION, TRANSPORT AND LOGISTICS EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR

1. Mark Baker                         CEO                                                    BESIX Watpac

2. Damien Vella                      CEO                                                    Breen Resources

3. Scott Power                        CEO & Group Director                        BMD

 

BANKING, FINANCIAL SERVICES AND INSURANCE EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR

1. Stefan Feldmann                Head of APAC & Managing Director   HDI Global SE

2. Ryan Edwards-Pritchard     CEO                                                    ANNA Money

3. Declan Sherman                 CEO                                                    Infragreen

                                                           

100% HUMAN AT WORK

Future Skills Organisation

SMEC

Deloitte Australia

AMP

Hays Specialist Australia

SunRice

Commonwealth Bank

Capability.Co