NACCHO and all its 150+ member Australia wide congratulates Johanna Cowdrey – Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services Council, Broome

Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services Council chief executive Johanna Cowdrey has been awarded White Pages® Community & Government Award  in the Telstra Western Australian Business Women’s Awards.

This is the 18th year the national awards have recognised outstanding achievements of businesswomen.

Ms Cowdrey said she was surprised when she found out she had been nominated by her human resources manager and was even more astonished to discover she had been shortlisted in the White Pages Community and Government Award category.

“I’d heard of the Telstra Business Women’s Awards, but never thought I would be involved,” she said.

“It’s fantastic and a real privilege – there are a lot of unsung heroes in the community, but for me it’s really good to reflect on what I’ve done throughout my life and career.”

Appointed chief executive of KAHMS last year, Ms Cowdrey said the organisation continued from strength to strength, rolling out service delivery and vital programs in indigenous communities.

Johanna Cowdrey moved from gold prospecting to a rewarding career in Aboriginal Health, rising to become CEO of the Yura Yungi Aboriginal Medical Services in Halls Creek.

Back in Broome, she was appointed to management roles within Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services Council (KAMSC) and ultimately CEO.

Telstra judges described her as a pragmatic person and successful negotiator who demonstrated sound business acumen in her own small business and across KAMSC where she leads 200 staff with a $40 million budget across a massive remote geographical area with significant cultural and political challenges.