Vonex boss nominated for Telstra award

Chief executive of CRN Fast50 winner Vonex, Brydie McKee, has been named as a finalist for Telstra’s Business Women’s Award for 2015.

The awards are recognised to Australian businesswomen for excellence work in accomplishing and setting bold goals.

McKee said she was thrilled to be a finalist for the award, and that doing what you’re passionate about is key.

“It is a real honour,” said McKee. “When the nominations started in March, I didn’t think I’d make it through; the calibre of women here are outstanding.

“As far as my business motto goes, it’s always round pegs in round holes. By getting the right people in the right jobs I don’t spend time motivating them because they’re already engaged in what they love.”

McKee is among five finalists in the private and corporate category. She will also be accepted into the Telstra Business Women Alumni.

McKee has been chief executive of Vonex since it was founded in 2009. The Perth-based telecommunications provider topped the CRN Fast50 in 2014, growing revenue 232 percent and pulling in $3.7 million.

Vonex is planning a reverse listing on the ASX by 10 November. With due diligence completed, reverse listing partner Aleator Energy recently raised $4.5 million to fund the deal.

Telstra’s Business Women’s Award awards began in 1995 and is the longest running award’s program for women in Australia. Past winners include UnitingCare Queensland chief executive Anne Cross, NSW Police deputy commissioner Catherine Burn and Rio Tinto Hismel managing director Denise Goldsworthy.

Category and state finalists for Western Australia will be announced on 9 October. The national category winners and Telstra Business Women of the Year will be announced at a separate awards ceremony in Melbourne on 18 November.