Monday 11 December 2006
(left to right) The Hon. Lord Mayor Campbell Newman, Leanne Stevens and Professor Peter Green
Leanne Stevens did not limit herself to the ordeals of underwater helicopter escape training when speaking at the Queensland Business Women's luncheon last week.
As one of the first women to become a paramedic in Australia, and a UQ Business School MBA graduate, Leanne is now Area Director for Ipswich and the most senior woman in the Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS), controlling a $10 million budget and managing 100 staff.
Leanne emphasized to the audience the importance of seizing opportunities, to consider relocating to secure your promotion, and to study further.
She said, "There were few people working for the Tasmanian Ambulance Service who had degrees when I started, but I completed a Commerce degree while working as a paramedic."
Since directing her efforts from saving lives in Tasmania, Victoria and Queensland, to managing the Ipswich area for QAS, Leanne undertook further study to graduate from a Masters of Business Administration at the University of Queensland on Monday 11 December.
Leanne's career has challenged boundaries: as a woman in a male dominated profession and as a paramedic who stepped outside the traditional training arena to undertake undergraduate then postgraduate study.
Seizing another challenge, Leanne co-founded Motorsport Safety and Rescue, a private company specializing in medical and safety services for the motor racing industry.
Leanne was awarded the Ambulance Service Medal this year in the Australia Day Honours List and is the winner of UQ Business School's MBA Top Achievers Award - the Director's Award for Leadership.
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