Top 20:Celebration of talent

Anna Andreeva has spent the last decade in HVACR and describes the industry as dynamic. “This industry is always changing with new technologies and new techniques changing the way we design the spaces we work and live in,” she says.  As the managing director of Geoclima Asia, Anna is a seasoned executive passionate about energy efficiency and sustainability.

She oversees Asia Pacific operations including financial management and strategic growth.

With such a wide range of responsibilities, Anna says it is important to maintain an open-mind and a strong willingness to learn. She also fosters collaboration and a culture of continuous learning. Anna thrives on a fast-paced environment and has worked in Russia, Italy, and Thailand. “No two days are the same in this industry, which means having the ability to adapt quickly to new challenges and innovations,” she says. Anna’s colleagues nominated her for her impressive leadership skills. “Anna always leads by example and has a genuine drive to inspire those around her,” they said. 

Natalie Churn loves working in an industry that contributes to environmental sustainability. It is important to Natalie to be able to make a difference. As the assistant director of the Ozone Regulatory Maturity, Air Quality and Emissions Standards Section at the Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water, Natalie is part of a team that regulates the import, handling and trade of ozone depleting and synthetic greenhouse gases. 

She began her role in 2023 and has been impressed by the enthusiasm and dedication of the HVACR industry. “My favourite part of the job is talking with people that work directly in HVACR, they are extremely passionate about how their sector can contribute to environmental sustainability,” she says. “They also understand why our legislation exists and are keen to be involved; they put their heart and soul into promoting cleaner technologies.”

Natalie admits the industry still has plenty of challenges like ensuring all technicians are trained in the latest technologies. “Air Conditioning and refrigeration are becoming increasingly central to how the world adapts to climate impacts,” she says. 

Rochelle Dela Pena has enjoyed a 17-year career as an engineer and is highly regarded for her technical expertise. As the sales & product support engineer (Chillers) at Mitsubishi Electric, Rochelle develops solutions for both internal teams and external clients. Under her leadership for the past eight years, the chillers team has gone from strength to strength.  Rochelle juggles multiple project demands, including technical requirements, sustainability goals, cost considerations, space constraints, and customer expectations, all within tight timeframes.

“As we are living in smaller and smaller spaces, designing systems that fit efficiently while still performing optimally adds another layer of complexity,” she says. “At times it can feel like a complex puzzle, but that’s also what makes the role exciting -- every challenge is an opportunity to innovate.” Rochelle says HVACR has a profound impact on our everyday lives and this makes her job incredibly rewarding. “I am also passionate about encouraging more women to pursue careers in HVACR, because diverse perspectives strengthen our ability to meet these challenges head on,” she says.

Kylie Farrelley is a 26-year industry veteran that has played a leading role in the development of the HVACR industry. In her current role as the general manager of Refrigerant Reclaim Australia she has been an advocate for refrigerant recovery and has been recognised internationally for her significant contributions to climate action. In 2023, the United Nations appointed Kylie to an influential Montreal Protocol committee - the UNEP Refrigeration, A/C and Heat Pumps Technical Options Committee (RTOC). This committee provides critical technical advice to countries participating in Montreal Protocol negotiations.

In addition to her impressive resume Kylie has dedicated many hours as a volunteer for industry associations and she shows no signs of slowing down. “Looking ahead, one of my main goals is to continue raising awareness about the vital achievements in refrigerant recovery. We’ve made great strides, but I believe there’s still so much more we can do to build on that momentum,” she says “I am passionate about sharing Australia's experience in product stewardship with developing countries.”

Claudia has been working in refrigeration for more than two decades and is currently the head of key accounts at Arneg Oceania. Her journey began as a junior in the service division of Austral Refrigeration. Claudia says she has been mentored by remarkable women who have built a sector where women are not only welcomed but empowered to thrive.

“After the birth of my daughter, I briefly considered stepping away from refrigeration—but HVACR has a way of drawing you back in,” she says. “My time at Arneg has been transformative, and I have been so fortunate to be exposed to all facets of the business—from commercial strategy and legal negotiations to acquisitions and growth cycles.” Claudia says she is committed to being a change agent by challenging outdated norms. “Ultimately, my mission is to help shape a refrigeration sector that is progressive, inclusive, diverse, and sustainable,” she says.

Natasha is the service manager (Hobart) for Mechfield Facility Maintenance, a commercial HVAC installation and maintenance provider operating across both Victoria and Tasmania.  In this role Natasha is on the frontline overseeing service delivery including scheduled maintenance, breakdown response, compliance reporting and so much more.

She manages a team of service technicians and apprentices while also scoping and quoting HVAC service works — from replacements and upgrades to lifecycle planning, and rectification projects. “This requires close collaboration with the techs and subcontractors to interpret what’s needed on site and to provide clients with clear, thoughtful solutions that consider efficiency, cost, compliance, and building ambience,” she says. “I love being part of an industry that’s critical to comfort, safety, and compliance in the built environment.”

Natasha is keen to develop her skills and learn more about controls and BMS systems and most importantly, mentor the next generation of HVAC professionals.

Kylie is a solution-driven manager with a positive, can-do attitude. It is this approach to challenging projects that has made Kylie such a great problem-solver. As the national relationship manager at Aircon Rentals Pty Ltd, Kylie’s role is multi-faceted. “The most challenging part of my job is managing the diverse tasks that span different departments and stakeholders,” she says. “These tasks can change on a daily basis providing me with opportunities as well as unique challenges.” Kylie has been in her current role for more than 15 years and works with suppliers, subcontractors, clients and a dedicated team of professionals.

“As an all Australian-owned family rental company, we are excited to expand our market offerings, continue providing innovative engineered solutions, and deliver superior service,” she says. “I am particularly enthusiastic about engaging with women and increasing their participation in the HVACR industry. Aircon Rentals fosters a collaborative and inclusive environment where everyone's ideas are valued and supported.”

Marie is on the frontline of Australia’s HVACR industry actively working to make a difference. As the head of conferences, events and business development at the Australian Institute of Refrigeration, Air conditioning and Heating (AIRAH), Marie’s focus is on strengthening AIRAH’s events and business development initiatives to better serve the HVACR community. For Marie its all about providing platforms for knowledge sharing and professional development. AIRAH is there to advocate, educate and provide industry leadership for its membership base taking on a long list of challenges facing Australia’s HVACR industry.

“Our industry faces significant challenges that AIRAH is actively addressing, including a critical skills shortage, low apprenticeship completion rates, and limited workforce diversity,” she says. “This is in addition to Inconsistent licensing across states and the shift toward low-emission technologies and achieving net zero targets.” Marie wants to create more opportunities for industry professionals to connect, learn, and collaborate - especially around emerging technologies and sustainability goals like net zero. “Ultimately, I want to help position AIRAH as the leading platform for advancing the HVACR industry in a rapidly changing landscape,” Marie says.

Melinda is a business owner and auditor who is serious about safety and compliance. Melinda established Wings Air Solutions in 2020 to help businesses improve their kitchen exhaust systems. Prior to setting up her auditing business, Melinda spent eight years with Shepherd Filters. This is a solution that stops up to 98% of grease entering the kitchen exhaust system, reducing cleaning frequency and cost. “There are a lot of kitchen exhaust cleaning businesses out there providing fake certificates; it’s a real concern,” Melinda says. “It is the reason why we always start with an audit to guide clients through the necessary steps to compliance.”

Melinda also helps resolve airflow issues and provide OH&S support in commercial kitchens. Her clients include McDonalds, major theme parks, restaurants and shopping centres. Thanks to education the industry is changing which is why Melinda’s business is expanding to cover the entire east coast of Australia and eventually New Zealand and the United States.

Kaylene is a project manager at Astor Air Conditioning and has over14 years experience in the construction industry. Kaylene oversees HVACR projects from planning to completion. Her hands-on, practical approach to project management can be attributed to her background in engineering design, drafting, and trade. “I enjoy problem-solving but it is also the people that make it so rewarding,” she says. While she loves bringing projects to life Kaylene’s other passion is advocating for women in trades and supporting young businesses entering the industry.

Kaylene is the co-founder of Trades Helping Trades, an initiative she created with her sister, Charne Esterhuizen. It was created at a time when major builders were collapsing and subcontractors and tradies were in dire need of assistance. Kaylene was able to bring together a community of volunteers to provide everything from financial advice and dispute resolution to mental health support. “We hold regular events where people can connect. My hope is that Trades Helping Trades will continue to grow into a movement that changes the culture of the industry for the better.” 

Romilly is a familiar face in HVACR from her role as CEO of the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) to her current position as the CEO of Engineers Australia.

Romilly has been advocating for the built environment and the engineering profession for decades. 

Romilly says Australia’s future relies on engineers. In her capacity as CEO of Engineers Australia, Romilly sits on the STEM and Health Champions of Change committee and is part of G20 EMPOWER – Empowerment and Progression of Women's Economic Representation and is chair of the UNSW Institute of Industrial Decarbonisation.

When Romilly joined the GBCA in 2006, just a handful of projects had achieved Green Star ratings. Today, there are in excess of 2,250 certified projects. In 2019 she was awarded an Order of Australia for her service to the construction sector as a change agent and advocate for sustainable building practices.

Deepika has been in the HVACR industry for the past 17 years. Her current role is product portfolio manager at ActronAir. Deepika says the most challenging part of her role is balancing the technical, regulatory, and commercial demands in an industry that is constantly evolving. “From the inside, it feels fast-moving and ever-changing, though I appreciate that from the outside it may appear more steady,” she says. “That dynamic pace is what I enjoy most—it keeps me engaged and creates opportunities to bring forward solutions that make a genuine difference for households and businesses.”

Like many women in technical fields, she admits stepping into a traditionally male-dominated industry can be challenging. Deepika recommends determination, continuous learning, and the support of remarkable mentors.

Looking ahead, Deepika is keen to broaden her skills in product marketing and work towards a more senior role within ActronAir.  

Tash is a technical sales consultant at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Air-Conditioners Australia (MHIAA), where she plays a vital role in bridging technical expertise with strategic commercial outcomes in the HVACR sector. Her responsibilities include managing relationships with consulting engineers and key project stakeholders, influencing specifications in tenders, delivering technical training, and supporting end-to-end project coordination.

With a background in mechanical engineering and experience across both power generation and hydraulic systems, Tash brings a multidisciplinary understanding to every project she is involved in.  Her background as a mechanical engineering lecturer adds a strong foundation in both theory and communication - skills she uses to translate complex concepts into practical solutions.

As a woman in a male-dominated field, she is a great role model and mentor to the next generation of women. “Each project has its own unique mechanical and commercial, intricacies so ensuring all parties are aligned on technical accuracy, timelines, and pricing can be demanding,” Tash explains. “But this is what makes the role so rewarding.” 

Lara is a natural leader and all-rounder who has managed to combine her technical abilities with her management and operational skills to be a great service manager. In this role at Precise Air Group, Lara oversees a team of technicians and apprentices and works directly with clients. Lara is not afraid to go on-site or into a plant room to oversee a job and to make sure it comes together and to ensure technicians are supported.

Her colleagues describe her as a breath of fresh air. “Service managers are usually hardened tradies that have come off the tools and bark orders at the technicians,” they said. “Lara came to the role with fresh eyes and she likes to collaborate and engage with the team.” It is this leadership style and supportive attitude that has made her a popular manager. 

Farisa is a mechanical engineer at the Climatech Group. She describes her job as immensely gratifying because she gets to see concepts on paper materialise into real life projects. “I enjoy the versatility too from working on shopping centres to tunnels and schools; each one has its own distinct set of design issues,” she says. “I also enjoy the collaborative nature of my work. When working on the mechanical services for a building, we do not operate in a vacuum. A big part of our job requires us to liaise with other services as well as subcontractors.”

Farisa says every building is different with its own unique architecture, client requests and other external factors that eventually play a role in the HVAC design requirements. Looking ahead Farisa would like to invest more time in mentoring. “I wouldn’t have been able to learn as much as I have if I didn’t have adequate guidance and support from my colleagues. I wish to give back in whatever way I can,” she says.

Farisa says there are a million ways people are inspired and influenced by those close to them. She wants to inspire bravery, to encourage others to keep moving forward despite the disappointments and failures that are inevitable but essential for growth and learning.”

Tania is HVACR account manager at Danfoss Australia. Tania is responsible for securing orders from mechanical and refrigeration contractors in Victoria for Danfoss Drives. It’s a role that she has embraced with enthusiasm and drive. 

“I love how fast paced this industry can be,” she says. “Problems need to be addressed quickly which means being able to think on your feet.” Tania says there is never a boring day in HVACR.”

Her colleagues describe her as energetic and someone eager to champion her customers. “She treats the business as her own and is absolutely adored by customers,” they said. Tania is excited about the future of the industry as we move into the age of AI and decarbonisation. “It’s great to be part of an industry that is always evolving and being a part of that growth,” she says. 

Rachel is project sales support manager at ActronAir. Since joining the HVACR industry eight years ago as a customer care representative she moved quickly through the ranks to become an estimator where she established her knowledge and understanding of HVAC applications and systems. In her current role, Rachel oversees the administrative lifecycle of commercial sales opportunities from tender and quote to order and delivery.  In short, Rachel is the person (along with her amazing team) behind the scenes making sure quotes are done and units are built and delivered according to the customer’s needs.

Rachel’s tenacity has made her the go-to person for problem-solving and finding the best possible outcome for any situation. Rachel admits navigating a technical, male-dominated space can be challenging without trade qualifications or an engineering degree. “I have been very fortunate to have supportive mentors and managers who encouraged me to take a seat at the HVAC table and back myself,” she says. “It’s that mix of technical variety and strong human connections that makes this industry exciting and meaningful.”

Samantha is manager of Morphett Air. She has dedicated over three decades to the HVACR industry joining the family business straight out of school (the business was established in 1971). Sam just celebrated her 50^th birthday. With a wealth of product knowledge, she leads from the front in sales—offering tailored solutions while still managing back-office operations. For Sam, working in the family business is more than just a job—it’s a passion and a point of pride.  Like most trade businesses, Sam’s biggest challenge is the ongoing skills shortage.

“It’s a fine line: keeping the team motivated and well-compensated, while still running a sustainable, cost-effective business,” she says. “Our industry is demanding and seasonal, but I believe a successful business is one where staff can deliver great results without sacrificing their personal lives. That means smarter scheduling, fair workloads, and a culture where people feel valued both on and off the tools.” As a multi-generation, family owned operation, Sam says their name is on the line with every job. “That accountability drives quality,” she says.

Chi is the commercial manager for natural refrigeration & service solutions for Hussmann Australia. “My primary responsibility involves leading the launch of our refrigeration and HVAC systems for Hussmann Australia, as well as promoting the shift towards natural refrigerant solutions,” she says. “Although transitioning to natural refrigerants is undoubtedly beneficial for the environment, there remains a degree of resistance to this change.”

Chi’s journey in HVACR spans two and a half decades She began with local refrigeration company Frigrite, where she learned to appreciate the dynamic nature of retail.

“Later, I joined the engineering team at Coles, where I gained valuable insights into the complete construction process and had the privilege of working with several inspiring leaders,” she says. Chi says there is a lot to love about the HVACR industry, especially the people. “Looking ahead, my focus is on nurturing future talent and leaving a meaningful legacy within our industry,” Chi says. “We are actively collaborating on training and development facilities, as well as creating programs to educate and assist the industry in areas such as CO2 and hydrocarbons.”

Sarah is a fourth-year apprentice with the Woolworths Group. Prior to commencing her apprenticeship as a technician, Sarah was a beauty therapist.

“Transitioning into refrigeration has been a big change, but I’ve really enjoyed the technical, problem-solving side of this job,” she says. Sarah enjoys learning, especially troubleshooting faults. “Every job is different, and no two systems are exactly the same,” she says. “It is also challenging working with newer technologies like CO₂ which requires precision and safety awareness.” Sarah loves HVACR because it is an industry undergoing change. “There’s always something new to learn—whether it’s natural refrigerants, energy-efficient systems, or advanced controls. I also enjoy the satisfaction of seeing the impact of my work, it is rewarding.”

Sarah says HVACR is a trade where people willingly share knowledge and provide support. She says a prime example of this is CJ from Kirby, who nominated Sarah for the Top 20. Looking ahead, Sarah is keen to gain more experience with natural refrigerants. 

“My dream is to work in the Antarctic where HVACR plays such a critical role in supporting scientific research and daily living in extreme conditions,” she says.