2023 Qld Award
Yas Grigaliunas, founder and chief evangelist of Circonomy,
was announced as the recipient of the 2023 Queensland ICT Entrepreneur of the Year Award. The Pearcey Foundation also gave a highly
commended award to Geoff Augutis.
The award was presented in Brisbane by Wayne Gerard, Operating Partner at Queensland Investment Corporation at an event attended by special guest, The Honourable Mark Bailey MP, Queensland Minister for Digital Services.
The Queensland Pearcey Awards recognise outstanding ICT professionals who have demonstrated innovation, taken risks, made a difference and are an inspiration to others in the industry and the wider community. Nominees for the award this year alongside Yas Grigaliunas were Alex Moss, Ashley Llambias, Chris Jeffery, Chris Kerrisk, Darren Rogan, and Geoff Augutis.
Award Dinner
The special dinner was held on Tuesday 18 October at the Victoria Park Golf Course, Herston. Many special guests attended and the evening also recognised state and national awards from Council of ICT Associations (CICTA) member organisations.
- Australian Computer Society
- Australian Information Industry Association
- Australian Institute of Project Management
- Australian Information Security Association
- Association of Professional Staffing Companies
- ICT Alliance Gold Coast
- International Institute of Business Analysis
- IT Service Management Forum
- Information Systems Audit and Control Association
- Queensland Futures Institute
- Spatial Industries Business Association
- Women in Technology
Yas Grigaliunas
Yas Grigaliunas is the dynamic founder and chief evangelist of Circonomy, recognised as a TEDx speaker and part of the Global 100 Inspirational Leaders for 2022. Currently serving as the president of the Queensland Social Enterprise Council and the inaugural chief circular entrepreneur at Circular Australia, Yas has a history of leadership and impact.
Yas’ career began with ICT projects in her early 20s, and she's always been passionate about creating a meaningful daily impact. Yas
focuses on innovative solutions for the circular economy, helping Circonomy scale through successful capital raises and partnerships with
major corporations.
Yas places great importance on team, tools, and tech at Circonomy. She values authentic leadership, openly sharing her experiences in leadership, business, life, and love. Her journey and commitment to authenticity serve as an inspiration for emerging leaders and changemakers.
As the 2023 Queensland ICT Entrepreneur of the Year recipient, Yas Grigaliunas will represented Queensland in the National Awards Gala in Sydney on 30 October.
Geoff Augutis
Geoff Augutis, together with brother Luke, set out to jump into the world of business for real in 2005. After spending their youth mowing lawns and selling goods from shark’s teeth and golf balls through to fruit and veggies at the local Sunday markets, an IT business was the next step. Over the following decade, the business grew to 10 staff and $4m revenue, servicing retail demand in the region. In 2017 the decision was made to start to focus on business IT support and government and education IT hardware procurement. Ranked amongst the fastest growing IT companies in Australia by CRN magazine seven times, in 2019 Queensland Computers was the fastest growing Queensland-based IT company in the country. From its humble beginnings, Queensland Computers now turns over around $33m a year and employs over 40 staff across regional and metropolitan Queensland. Geoff is also chair of the ACS Bundaberg Chapter.
Sponsors
The Pearcey Foundation would like to acknowledge the support and sponsorship of TechnologyOne and Soda without whom the gala event would not have been able to take place.
