Local Leaders

As a business consultant, mum of two, President of the ACT Council of Parents and Citizens Association, and President of her daughters’ school P&C, Kirsty McGovern-Hooley is one very busy lady. The once high-flying media and advertising executive spent over 15 years with one of Australia’s largest advertising and marketing agencies before relocating to Singapore where she directed the media...

When Holly Komorowski was looking to buy a house, never in her wildest dreams did she think it would lead to opening her own real estate agency. Today, Holly is happily entrenched on the flip side of the property market—selling to clients and managing their properties through home.by holly. And she’s loving every minute of it. "I was trying to...

“If you can’t see it, you can’t be it” goes the mantra: we all need role models and inspiration, and sometimes the most powerful icons are right there in our own backyards. Powered by Passion is a new Region Media series by Nina Gbor that takes us inside the lives and motivations of some remarkable Canberra women. This week, Nina...

After striking up a conversation with Ehren Keys, you immediately feel as though life is pretty good. That’s the impact he can have on others. For his parents, Glenn and Mel and his two siblings, Siân and Tim, Ehren has influenced their lives in the most positive and productive ways. Twenty-five-year-old Ehren was born with Down syndrome. He embraces each...

When Jasmine Henjak left high school in 2002, she didn’t know what she wanted to do for a living. She decided to take a year off and make some money, while pondering life. Then, out of the blue, she landed a job in real estate and her future became crystal clear. That was in 2003 and Jasmine has been in...

"If you can't see it, you can't be it", goes the mantra: we all need role models and inspiration, and sometimes the most powerful icons are right there in our own backyards. Powered by Passion is a new Region Media series by Nina Gbor that takes us inside the lives and motivations of some remarkable Canberra women. Some may already...

If first impressions are anything to go by, the Red Robot factory in Fyshwick has the potential to change the world. This design and manufacturing hub is the virtual meeting point for ideas to meet reality. Nothing, it would appear, is out of the realm of possibility. In practice, this means that designers and innovators come up with a concept,...

Observing how businesses market on digital platforms, Kevin Bhadra quickly identifies the difference between an outstanding campaign and failure. Getting the messaging right is the key challenge says the founder and chief strategist of Canberra-based Exalted Digital. Specialising in search engine marketing (SEO, SEM, PPC and Adwords), social media marketing, programmatic and content marketing, Mr Bhadra says hitting the target...

If there’s anything that drives Anthony Mora, it’s taking care of people in business. "I don’t believe a person should ever be treated as a transaction," says Anthony, Associate Partner of Rubik3. "In my books, it’s always about relationships and what we can do for each other. Taking care of people is the way of the future in business." Anthony...

A strong team culture has set high-performing Belle Property Kingston agency on a speedy growth trajectory. Co-principal Dan McAlpine says the surge in sales and property management last year led to 10 new staff joining the Kingston Foreshore office, including established agents from elsewhere in the ACT. Belle Property Group’s quality marketing, branding and team culture have been irresistible draw-cards....

Peter Munday left school at the age of 14 years, nine months. To clarify his departure from school, he was asked to leave Marist College. To say he lacked focus is an understatement. In Peter's own words, he had trouble concentrating and connecting with the education system. He was also bullied because he struggled with the basics. In his early...

In a market much smaller than those of his interstate rivals and despite writing smaller loans in his first year as a mortgage broker, Nitish Kumar has finished in the top 30 brokers listed by industry magazine, The Adviser. The list recognising brokers under the age of 30 has ranked Mr Kumar 14th, a remarkable achievement in his first year...

Like any business, it takes a certain amount of tenacity to open a real estate agency. But to open a real estate agency having never sold a house before - and with a business model that runs counter to industry norms - takes serious guts. That's exactly what Ben Faulks did when he started Ray White Canberra (then Ray White...

We’re used to apps that recommend the best hotels, restaurants and entertainment. However, very few apps have peer-to-peer, real-time information about the safety metrics of a place. Armed with this holistic information before you visit a place can not only equate to a great experience, but it can also save your life. Literally. The terrible circumstances that befell the woman...

"Down to earth" isn't really a character trait most people would ascribe to a lawyer, but Bill Baker is as genuine a person as you would ever hope to meet. Raised on a farm in Parkes NSW (near Orange), Bill grew up with four brothers and one sister…two of whom went on to become lawyers, one a dentist, one an...

The morning I spoke to Hannah Gill she was blocked up with a Canberra cold, she'd had a couple of days working from home, keeping her germs quarantined, but her passion for her profession still shone through despite the coughs and runny nose. Hannah has worked at Independent Property Group (IPG) since 2008 and is currently the Managing Director of...