New Age boss has feminine touch

The boss of New Age Caravans, Gabby Montagnese, has been nominated for the 2015 Telstra Business Women’s Awards.

Australia’s only female RV CEO, Montagnese has been Managing Director of New Age Caravans since its beginnings in 2009, and overseen rapid growth of the now Epping, Victoria-based manufacturer to the point where it will produce close to 1200 caravans in 2015.

Montagnese graduated from Victoria University in 2001 with a double degree in Psychology and Business IT, and along with playing a pivotal role in the company's rise to top-10 Australian caravan manufacture status, has been a driving force in New Age's support of various charities and sporting organisations.

In 2014 New Age was recognised with a $1million grant to increase production as part of a Federal and Victoria governments and Ford Australia-funded initiative. 

Set to open within 12 months, a new R&D and production centre at New Age's $10 million, purpose-built factory will help facilitate the roll out of more models in its expanding portfolio, following the recent introduction of the Glider ‘expander’  and forthcoming compact Gecko caravan.

An annual event, the Telstra Awards recognises female high achievers in the business, government and not-for-profit communities and has been running for 20 years.

Judges select finalists from each state or territory in five different categories, from which an overall Telstra Australian Business Woman of the Year is chosen. This year the Victorian finalists will be announced on October 20, followed by the national winner on November 25.

Former Telstra Business Woman of the Year winners include Georgina Rinehart from Hancock Prospecting, Carolyn Cresswell from Carman’s Fine Foods and Leanne Preston from health food company Wild Child.