It’s SSBC election month!!! Nominations have now closed and we’re excited to introduce our 2024 Board Nominees. This year we were overwhelmed with the expertise and experience our nominees plan to bring to not only to the SSBC Board, but to our sponsors and members. We hope you enjoy learning about their background and what they plan to bring to the SSBC.
Jeanne Zweck – Mint Marketing
Nominated for President
Jeanne brings over 30 years of strategic marketing experience, including as founder and CEO of Mint Marketing, Australia’s industry-leading agency servicing the infrastructure sector’s largest players. Specialising in branding, communications, and bids, Mint has been instrumental in winning over AU$40 billion worth of tenders for major consortia. Jeanne works collaboratively with CEOs and directors – across small, medium-sized, and major corporates – facilitating workshops to distill brand identities, provide strategic direction and develop actionable plans. Before establishing Mint, Jeanne was Group Marketing Manager for Woods Bagot, repositioning the firm as a global thought and design leader in architecture.
Jeanne has been President of the Sutherland Shire Business Chamber since January 2022 and a previous Board member and sponsor. In her role as President, Jeanne spearheaded a roundtable involving women from the Sutherland Shire’s schools, businesses, charities, and institutions in collaboration with Federal MP Jenny Ware. She has introduced a youth branch of the Chamber called Shire Evolve. This initiative will provide a forum for younger members to access networking and business development initiatives. Jeanne was instrumental in securing Chris Minns for the upcoming President’s lunch, Spotlight on the Shire giving local businesses an opportunity to question the Premier about his plans for infrastructure and development in the Shire.
Jeanne was awarded Sydney Metro’s Outstanding Business Leader consecutively in 2021 and 2022 for Business NSW Awards and appointed as a judge for the 2023 Awards. With a passion for assisting not-for-profit organisations, she promotes education, sustainability, and diversity – areas where she leverages her marketing acumen to make a difference. She was instrumental in bringing the Global Summit of Women to Sydney, with 1,250 delegates from 65 countries, and launching Richard Branson’s B Team Australasia. Jeanne is also an active member, and recently appointed NSW co-President, of the Women Chiefs of Enterprises International (WCEI) and on the organising committee bringing the World Congress to Sydney in November 2024.
In giving back, Jeanne is a sponsor of the Cronulla Sharks Waterpolo Club, a mentor for the Australian Marketing Institute, and regular judge for its National Awards for Excellence, and a member of the National Association of Women in Construction, UN Women and Ten Women.
Kamen Tsonev – StrataBee
Nominated for Vice President
Kamen Tsonev has been a member of the Sutherland Shire Business Chamber since 2019. Originally from Bulgaria, Kamen has proudly called the Shire home for more than 20 years.
Kamen has been part of the hotel industry for over 20 years and has been involved in the management of properties of varying sizes in Europe, the USA and Australia. He has worked for big multinational hotel operators like Best Western, Accor and IHG. Since 2006, he has run his own hotel management business utilising his knowledge and expertise to provide complete management solutions and consulting services to hotel owners both in Australia and overseas. Having extensive experience in the tourism industry, he is passionate about putting our beautiful region on the map and allowing local businesses to tap into the largely unexplored interstate and international visitors markets.
He is also a co-founder and director of StrataBee, a strata management company based in Miranda which is changing the strata industry for the better through the use of technology and by putting their clients’ needs first. StrataBee has won multiple awards since its inception in 2019, including Best Strata Management Business in NSW in 2022. Since joining the chamber, Kamen has been inspired by the success stories of other businesses which have started their journeys in the Shire and have grown to National and International level.
He is excited to be joining the board of director and is committed to using his knowledge and skills to help grow and develop the Sutherland Shire Business Chamber.
Deborah Power – Your Finance Team
Nominated for Treasurer
Deborah Power is a Chartered Accountant, CFO (Chief Financial Officer) and serial entrepreneur, having had businesses from startup to succession in the accounting profession, and children’s education sector, and now in the consulting, and coaching profession.
She has worked for a number of multinational organisations, including Louis Vuitton and the Manpower Group, and consulted to many SMEs as the CFO managing finance functions and creating highly profitable businesses.
Her years of business expertise have focused on helping businesses and women in business to obtain freedom and financial independence by empowering them to understand their finances, become the CFO of their business, and to create significant cash flow and profit in their business. Her latest business The Female CFO™ was created to inspire financial potential in Women in Business, so they are confident, cash flow rich, profitable, and have financial choice. Deborah lives in The Shire near the beach with her family and from here she helps women in business create the business of their dreams.
Tim Jensen – Command51
Nominated for General Board Member and Evolve Liaison
Tim has over 15 years’ experience in the service industry in both estimating, transitioning, and operating service-based contracts. In that time Tim has successfully transitioned and managed accounts that include Westfield, QANTAS, Australia Post, VicRoads, and numerous local (Liverpool City Council, City of Hume, Knox City Council), state (Property NSW, VicRoads) and federal government (ANSTO, CSIRO) contracts. Tim’s client focused approach has been instrumental in the growth of Command51.
Tim is a communications specialist who has innovated service delivery models and communications practice to ensure our clients have a transparent view of our activities and is directly responsible for responding to evolving requirements and meeting client expectations.
He has spearheaded the youth initiative of the chamber – Evolve and has been instrumental i making it a success.
Mitchell Smithson – Watts Next Electrical
Nominated for General Board Member
Mitchell Smithson is the Director of Watts Next Electrical, a team of Sutherland Shire Electrician’s providing quality and proven service to the residential, strata, and commercial sectors.
Mitchell has over 10 years of experience in the service and construction industry. During this time Mitchell has successfully grown a business from Sole Trader, to a team of 7. Mitchell is dedicated to building relationships and improving the industry, demonstrated in his commitment to continuous professional development, as he is currently undertaking his Certificate IV in Training and Assessment. Mitchell also has a passion for Community service, regularly Volunteering as a Deputy Captain at the NSW Rural Fire Service.
Mitchell’s experience and dedication to business and the community align with the expectations and goals that the Chamber has set. He looks forward to the challenge and commitment that being a Board member will involve.
Verity Woodward – Outline Interiors
Nominated for General Board Member
Verity is the Founder and Design Director of Outline Interiors, a renowned interior design firm known for its innovative approach and dedication to functional design.
With over 18 years of experience in the interior design industry, Verity has built an impressive career spanning in Australia and the UK.
Her extensive portfolio includes various projects across commercial, hospitality, and residential sectors.
Verity’s expertise is evident in her ability to deliver designs that reflect functionality and aesthetic elegance. Verity is a passionate advocate for local entrepreneurship.
She continually supports fellow small business owners, emphasizing the importance of mutual support in the community.