How the 40 Under 40 Awards has helped transform Sebastian Rees’ business
Medical entrepreneur Sebastian Rees was last year named the inaugural winner of the “First Among Equals” award at InDaily’s 40 Under 40 awards. This year Dr Rees rejoins the awards program as a member of the judging panel to help unearth the next crop of emerging young leaders. Nominations are open for the 2019 40 Under 40 Awards until April 25 and we asked Dr Rees how winning the major award in 2018 has helped propel his career as a co-founder of GenWise Health.
To be included in the InDaily 40 Under 40 Awards and particularly to receive the “First Among Equals” award for 2018 was an enormous privilege for me. Doing business in South Australia, I consistently feel surrounded by truly inspiring and innovative minds and so to be named among them was a very special moment.
Since the gala awards night in June, InDaily has provided me with some incredible media opportunities, which have given me a chance to share the story of GenWise Health and help raise the profile of conducting business in South Australia.
As part of the award I was invited to attend the Australian Institute of Company Directors’ course on Strategy and Risk. The course proved to be a great networking opportunity and provided invaluable tools, which I adapted for GenWise Health. I cannot more highly recommend this course to other founders and company directors.
Last year was another milestone year for GenWise Health. Just months after the 40 Under 40 Awards, GenWise Health was majority acquired by a top Australian health care provider, 24-7 Healthcare. Through this partnership we have been able to expand our business nationally and scale our services with greater speed and precision than would have been otherwise possible, proving that national businesses can be built anywhere. I have continued my role with GenWise as national General Manager and am relishing the opportunity to show that South Australian businesses can play at a national level.
This past 12 months has also been an exciting time for me personally with the arrival of my beautiful first child and taking GenWise Health to new heights with an amazing team. On top of all of this I am very proud to be joining the judging panel for the 40 Under 40 Awards and I am excited to learn about the next wave of inspiring business leaders from across South Australia.
The 2018 program was a fantastic opportunity for young business owners and entrepreneurs to inspire each other and the broader community.
I look forward to meeting all the 2019 nominees at the gala event and encourage everyone to nominate an inspiring young South Australian before April 25.
Do you know someone who’d be perfect for the 40 Under 40 Awards? Could it be you? Nominate here.
The First Among Equals award is with thanks to:
