Genevieve Clay-Smith.
Bus Stop Films CEO and co-founder Genevieve Clay-Smith is the winner of the 2019 Telstra Australian Business Women’s Emerging Leader Award.
The award, presented at ceremony in Sydney last week, recognises Clay-Smith’s work through the not-for-profit which creates pathways for people with intellectual disabilities and other marginalised community members to be involved in professional filmmaking.
The Telstra Women’s Business Awards have been presented for 24 years, and are designed to recognise “the most outstanding women who are disrupting the way we do business.”
All winners on the night were awarded following judging process, which involved in-depth interviews with a panel of high-profile judges, including Google Australia & NZ MD Melanie Silva, Dimmi founder and journalist Tracey Spicer.
“This year’s finalists represent a diverse range of industries and backgrounds, and the judges were particularly impressed with their unwavering focus and determination to pursue their passions and achieve success in their own way,” said Telstra group executive of transformation and people Alex Badenoch.
“Starting at such a young age, Ms Clay-Smith has led her business with empathy and a real passion for change. Advocating for the inclusion of people with a disability and other marginalised groups, she has such a positive impact on the filmmaking industry.”
The winners on the night included:
- Business Woman of the Year Award and Medium & Large Business Award: Natasha Chadwick, founder and chief executive officer, NewDirection Care, Bellmere (QLD)
- Small Business Award: Jodie Silvester, managing director and founder, KAS Accounting Solutions (WA)
- Public Sector and Academia Award: Debbie Platz, assistant commissioner, Australian Federal Police (QLD)
- For Purpose & Social Enterprise Award: Dushyanthi Thangiah, chief executive officer, Yumba-Meta Housing Association (QLD)
- Emerging Leader Award: Genevieve Clay-Smith, co-founder and chief executive officer, Bus Stop Films (NSW)
The work of Bus Stop Films has also previously been recognised by Australian Human Rights Commission, winning a Community Organisation Award at the Human Rights Awards in 2016.