Digital strategist nabs coveted young executive award

Jessica Hallett, Westpac’s head of digital strategy, partnerships and innovation, is among six winners of the annual BOSS Young Executives award, it has been announced.

Recognising outstanding young leaders in the world of business, the scheme is now in its 20th year and the 2023 cohort represents execs from the worlds of banking, retail, energy and e-technology.

Jessica Hallett.

Boss editor Sally Patten said: “It is wonderful to be able to highlight such a talented group of emerging leaders. I have high hopes for their futures.

“Several of their predecessors have gone on to run some of Australia’s most high-profile organisations or set up their own successful businesses.”

Along with Hallet, this year’s recipients are: Naureen Alam, group manager of future low carbon portfolio at AGL Energy; Andrew Cooper, head of transformation at Woolworths; Emma Wright, chief people officer at WorkCover Queensland; David Donnoli, associate director of operations ANZ at Swisse Wellness, and; Angus Ferguson, head of customer solutions at Domain Group.

L-R: David Donnoli, Jessica Hallett, Emma Wright, Andrew Cooper, Naureen Alam and Angus Ferguson.

All are under the age of 35 and were measures on leadership, emotional intelligence and business aptitude. BOSS runs the program in conjunction with global leadership consulting firm Development Dimensions Internal (DDI).

DDI Managing director Dominique Powrie said: “Every year we see outstanding young executive talent, and 2023 was no exception. This year, we saw customer-focused leaders who champion organisational cultures that keep the customer’s needs in the forefront of everyone’s decisions and actions.

“I think the recent experience of leading through a pandemic has taught these young execs a great deal about steering businesses through turbulent times, valuing their customer base, customer responsiveness, incorporating customer feedback into strategic plans and ensuring ongoing customer satisfaction.”

Among the judges was Michael Rebelo, chief executive of Publicis Group in Australia and New Zealand.