Southeast Sydney’s most inspiring women in business revealed

Leaders in medicine, shipping and fitness, as well as high flyers have enjoyed success in their industries. Meet the Southern Courier’s top businesswomen.

Southeast Sydney is home to inspiring women in business.

The Southern Courier has compiled a list of the top businesswomen across southeast Sydney.

They include leaders in medicine, shipping, and fitness, as well as high flyers who have enjoyed success in their industries.

Be inspired by these amazing women who are leading the way in their fields.

KIRSTEN KING

Pilates guru and instructor Kirsten King is the founder and owner of Fluidform Pilates.

The Coogee resident started the business in 2012 which now has two studios in Randwick and Surry Hills.

Kirsten King at her Fluidform pilates studio on the border of Randwick and Clovelly. Picture: John Appleyard

King is passionate about health and wellness and her business has helped countless clients including a number of celebrities, such as fashion designer Pip Edwards.

Her studios are hugely popular and offer a range of classes. Fluidform also offers at home classes.

King is married to former rugby league star Matt King.

NSW Ports CEO Marika Calfas.

MARIKA CALFAS

Calfas is the chief executive of NSW Ports, which oversees the bustling Port Botany.

Port Botany is a huge employer in southeast Sydney and is the biggest container port in NSW.

Calfas has over 18 years of experience in the port sector and also sits on a number of national councils.

Ash Croker has opened a hugely popular salon in Clovelly.

ASH CROKER

The Salon by Ash Croker is making waves in Clovelly.

After 15 years watching her clients pay top dollar as she worked in high end salons, hairdresser Ash Croker opened her own salon and modelled it on a day spa.

Just 18 months and two renovations later she has a staff of seven, a two month waiting list and her salon was recently named the best in the eastern suburbs in an exclusive NewsLocal reader poll.

“I love what I do. Everyday I live and breathe it,” she recently told the Southern Courier.

“I love to make people feel good and push them out of their comfort zone.”

The eastern suburbs local said she chose Clovelly to open her salon because it had a nice pace.

“I think the energy in Clovelly is really beautiful … and I wanted somewhere where it was easy and people can switch off a bit.”

Business Chicks Australia CEO Olivia Ruello. Picture: Brett Costello

OLIVIA RUELLO

Ruello is the chief executive of Business Chicks Australia - a company which networks women in business and other fields and helps empower women across Australia.

It is the largest women’s networking group in the country and the organisation regularly puts on large events featuring famous and influential speakers.

Ruello, who is based in Randwick, continues to do fantastic work as CEO of the influential organisation.

Susie Purcell of SheCamp Maroubra.

SUSIE PURCELL

Fitness guru Susie Purcell runs a group fitness company out of Maroubra, called SheCamp.

Purcell was last year voted the best personal trainer in the eastern suburbs in an exclusive NewsLocal reader poll.

The dedicated trainer, who has been operating at Maroubra Beach for the past decade and also trains at Sydney Park and St Peters, told the Southern Courier last year she believed her background in mental health was a crucial part of developing her programs.

“To provide the best experience for my clients, over the past 10 years I’ve created safe and supportive outdoor sessions for women of all ages, fitness levels and backgrounds,” she said.

“I was born and bred in Maroubra and I’m a firm believer that there is no better way to start the day than exercising at our local beach.”

Let's Go Surfing founder Brenda Miley.

BRENDA MILEY

Let’s Go Surfing was named the 2019 Business of the Year at Randwick Council’s biennial business awards.

Let’s Go Surfing was founded by Brenda Miley in 1995 and the company has grown to become a much-loved and well-respected surf school in the eastern suburbs and beyond.

Let’s Go Surfing operates in Maroubra, Bondi Beach and Byron Bay with a strong team of instructors led by director Miley.  

Tracey O'Brien heads the Kids Cancer Centre.

TRACEY O’BRIEN

Professor Tracey O’Brien is the director of the Kids Cancer Centre at Sydney Children’s Hospital in Randwick.

She oversees a huge team of medical and research professionals who are dedicated to improving outcomes and helping children suffering from cancer.

The Kids Cancer Centre has a strong international reputation for its outstanding research and work.

O’Brien also sits on a number of national and international medical boards.

Professor Helen Lochhead.

HELEN LOCHHEAD

Lochhead is the former president of the Australian Institute of Architects and is a respected professor at the University of NSW in Kensington.

Lochhead was the first Dean of the Faculty of Built Environment at UNSW and is an advocate for gender equity in the architecture industry.

She has enjoyed a stellar career as an architect and urban designer working on major projects across Sydney and remains highly influential in the industry.

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