MEET OUR JUDGES
Steve Loe
Chairman of the Judges
Managing Director, Precedent Productions
Steve has 38 years’ experience developing and managing strategy, marketing and award recognition programs. His expertise covers all areas of a program including: marketing, sponsorship, media, judging processes, ticket sales, presentation evening production, scripting and entertainment.
Steve created the Australian Small Business Champion Awards, involving thousands of applications annually and culminating in an event for around 1000 small business people from throughout Australia.
Steve instigated the Local Business Award brand, which has grown into an easily-recognisable symbol of excellence for consumers and businesses from NSW. Annually, 28 programs are presented involving 18,000 business registrants.
Australian Child Care Week was Steve's initiative in 2009 and the program has become a flagship program of involvement for the industry.
Steve has also been a driving force in the creation and management of a wide range of industry programs including Australian Garden Industry Awards, NSW Hardware Industry Awards, NSW Seafood Awards, Australian Child Care Awards and Brambles Community Reach.
Peter Kaye AM ESM
National CEO, The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award – Australia & The Solomon Islands
Managing Director Consultgroup
Inspector/Unit Commander NSW SES Ashfield-Leichhardt Unit
Peter is a Silver and Gold Award Holder and the current National CEO for the Duke of Ed in Australia and the Solomon Islands.
Peter has had an active involvement in a range of charities and community organisations. These roles include the SES Commander for Ashfield-Leichhardt Unit, a position he has served in for over 38 years of his 45 years of active volunteering with the SES. Peter is also the former Chair of the Red Nose Foundation for NSW, Victoria and WA.
Trained as an economist, Peter has worked in a number of management and executive roles in the transport, youth and finance sectors before co-founding Consultgroup in 1992, specialising in corporate governance and HR Management consulting.
Peter has been a Chair and/or a director for 7 companies in the finance, building and telecommunications sectors. He is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Fellow of Royal Society of Arts and a Certified Member of the Australian Human Resources Institute. Peter has served as an active NSW Justice of the Peace since 1977.
Peter is the recipient of The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award’s Gold Distinguished Service Medal and was Citizen of the Year for the Inner West Council (Sydney) in 2014
Yvonne Howie
Yvonne is a former CEO and an active company director.
She was CEO for The CEO Institute NSW, leading 300 members across all sectors in the state. Previously, she was CEO of the Penrith Valley Chamber of Commerce in Greater Western Sydney, leading 500 members.
She has served as Chair, Deputy Chair and director of boards in health, pharmacy, education retail, government and international philanthropy.
She has served as a business awards judge for several years, both nationally and internationally.
Yvonne is passionate about the difference that awards make to an individual and to his or her business and cause, and congratulates the Wollondilly Women in Business network on this initiative. There were very many deserving entries and decision making was challenging; kudos to all who entered.
Peter Knight
Managing Director, Knight Partners
Peter is a Former President of CPA Australia NSW Division and has been running his own accounting practice for over 30 years. He is a judge of the prestigious Australian Small Business Champions Awards and has spent a number of years lecturing and tutoring at Macquarie University. He understands the pressure of starting and growing a business, working with his partner to grow their single office in Campbelltown to a national firm, with over 300 staff and 36 partners, and two offices in New Zealand. He is a well-regarded public speaker and has spoken across Australia and overseas. He runs financial education workshops, helping small business owners understand their financials. He continues to run his accounting practice and focuses on the franchise sector, assisting prospective franchisees with their due diligence before they sign up.
Ann Knight
Ann started her career as an Enrolled Nurse in South Australia and has continued in the nursing profession for over 30 years. Her career has broadened to include work with Quality Management Systems and the implementation of Risk Management Systems. She has held the position of Director of Aged Care at St Luke’s Care at Darlinghurst, before moving across to Healthscope, where she now has the role of National Accreditation Manager. She is currently enrolled in the Directors Course at the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and in her spare times enjoys spending time with her family, pets and planning her next overseas trip!
Lorrie Loca
Lorri is a highly adaptable, task-driven and entrepreneurial professional who strives for excellence. Her extensive experience includes General Manager of Hospitality at Macquarie University, lecturer in events management, Deputy State Director, CEO Institute NSW, Executive Director Membership Engagement, Australian Finance Industry Association and is currently Member Engagement - The CMO Club at Salesforce - APAC
An influencer with strong strategic branding and marketing capability. Able to set the strategy, then deliver and exceed targets by leading teams collaboratively. A practical thinker focused on delivering win-win outcomes for both members/clients and the business alike.