The 2011 Telstra Australian Business Women’s Awards distinguished NSW Deputy Commissioner for Corporate Services Catherine Burn with the Business Woman of the Year award.

Top police woman Catherine Burn, NSW Deputy Commissioner for Corporate Services, has been named the 2011 Telstra Australian Business Woman of the Year.

Having joined the NSW Police Force in 1984 with only 19 years old, Catherine Burn was in criminal investigation before assuming the operational command in Burnwood in 2002, Redfern in 2005 and Sydney’s Central Metropolitan Region in 2006, being finally promoted to Deputy Commissioner  in 2010.

She now manages a budget of $2.7 billion for the resources needed by 16,000 police officers and 4,000 staff, as well as the managing of 3,600 vehicles and 1,400 properties.

Among her responsibilities are also human resources, education and training, technology, and finance and business services.

“Awards judges said Catherine Burn has succeeded in a very male-dominated environment. She has made a challenging leadership transition from police operations to a corporate role that shows policing is a seriously big business,” said Kate McKenzie, Telstra Group Managing Director for Innovation, Products and Marketing.

“She was described as a humble, sincere and ethical person who has led, not just managed, cultural change while focusing on customer service and the importance of the community as stakeholders,” she added.

Besides the Business Woman of the Year award she was also distinguished with the White Pages Community and Government Award. In 2007 she received the Australian Police Medal in the Australia Day Honours.

The other winners

The 2011 Telstra Australian Business Woman’s Awards have also recognised four other women.

The Commonwealth Bank Business Owner Award was given to Cathie Reid from Queensland. She is the  owner and manager of APHS, a supplier of pharmaceutical services for the aged care, hospital and oncology sectors.

The Hudson  Private and Corporate Sector Award was given to Jodie Fox from NSW. Jodie Fox is the owner of Shoes of Prey, an online shoe shopping website that allows shoppers to design and customise their footwear.

Professor Veena Sahajwalla, from the University of NSW, was the receiver of the Nokia Business Innovation Award. Professor Sahajwalla led the development of the world’s first technology that produces green steel. The technology makes steel production more environmental friendly by making it require less fossil fuels and electricity, as well as producing fewer emissions.

And finally, the marie Claire Young Business Women’s Award was delivered to Jo Heighway, from NSW. Jo Heighway is the owner of Engage Super Audits, a company that audits self-managed super funds.

“The 2011 winners and finalists are amazing business women who inspire others and deserve recognition for their leadership and achievements. They are outstanding role models for all women in business,” stated Kate McKenzie.

Established in 1995 to celebrate extraordinary business women, the winners of the 2011 Telstra Australian Business Woman’s Awards receive a share of $200,000 in cash and prizes.