To be chosen once as a finalist in Brisbane’s most prestigious business awards as recognition for outstanding leadership is an impressive feat. But for a second consecutive year, CEO of AIS Water, Elena Gosse has been selected a finalist in the annual Lord Mayor’s Business Awards in the category of Business Person of the Year for her contributions to business and community.
Thirty-four outstanding Brisbane businesses and eight businesspeople have been named finalists across 11 categories. Elena is joined by another three finalists in the Business Person of the Year category:
- Elena Gosse OAM – AIS Water
- Jamie Wilson – Cryptoloc
- Jonathon Stoddart – Stoddart Group
- Simone Joyce – Paypa Plane
At Elena’s direction, AIS Water navigated the challenges presented during the pandemic yet continued to trade as an essential business, retained all of its employees, added new jobs, and constructed a $9 million third manufacturing facility so it could grow its innovative water disinfection technology for commercial and residential swimming pools and anode material production further on the world stage.
Elena said she was honoured to be selected again in the Business Person of the Year category and acknowledges that the past year has been an extremely tough time for many businesses.
“I am very proud of my team’s resilience and commitment to finding new opportunities throughout a time that has in fact made us a smarter and better business,” Elena said.
“I am focused on the company’s future and stability and am pleased to have been part of Brisbane’s business recovery during the pandemic, which led us to explore new products and markets, including the USA which for us is approximately 60 times the size of the Australian market – it’s an exciting time!
“This year we are celebrating 30 years in business and our technology is still foremost in innovation and safety, utilised in public, resort and private swimming pools in 55 countries across the world and now we are exploring new opportunities for our anode material in green, clean energy,” Elena said.
“It’s been a wonderful journey so far and we’ve proven that the city of Brisbane is an ideal location for thriving, sustainability-focused business; I’ve raised my family, grown my business and given back to my community in Brisbane and every year has been rewarding.”
In June this year Elena was also awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for her service to manufacturing and to the community, recognising her tireless work in significant fundraising and advocacy for the prevention of domestic and family violence, her regular public speaking engagements and her mentoring and encouragement of women in leadership roles.
Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the awards showcased some of the most exciting, innovative and creative businesses in Brisbane.
“From businesses improving lives through healthcare innovation and accessibility, to those driving growth and jobs in our arts, culture and sports economies, this year’s entrants are making a remarkable impact in our community and around the world,” Cr Schrinner said.
“The vision and leadership of this year’s finalists will help carve out a lasting legacy for our city to 2032 and beyond.”
The winners will be announced at the Lord Mayor’s Business Award’s gala dinner at City Hall on Friday 21 October.
