INSPIRING OTHERS
WINNER :
SHONETTE
BASON ( SPREADING THE HAPPINESS )
A primary school teacher for 26 years , Saltburn-born Shonette Bason ’ s Spreading the Happiness venture is part of a Teessidebased international education company she set up in 2009 .
A single mum-of-four , Shonette has developed an international community of thousands of educators – 97 per cent of whom are women – which follows her lead by bringing happiness , excitement and fun to the classroom .
But Spreading the Happiness is a charity , too , having provided food hampers for Teesside families in poverty during the school holidays for the past five years and last year feeding nearly 1,000 families UKwide .
And both Shonette ’ s ventures ensured a double success for her , with the Charity / Voluntary title also going her way .
Shonette said the atmosphere at the glittering awards ceremony , which saw around 370 people gathered at Hardwick Hall , was “ electric ”.
And she heaped praise on fellow finalists Carole Knott of ITS and Rosalind Stuart , the former Tees Valley coordinator of the Girls ’ Network .
Shonette has developed an international community of thousands of educators , which follows her lead by bringing happiness , excitement and fun to the classroom .
She firmly believes a “ ripple of happiness ” in the classroom can extend into children ’ s families and the wider community .
And she reckons a lot of her own enthusiasm is to do with the Saltburn air she grew up breathing in !
She said : “ As much as negativity is infectious , so is happiness and enthusiasm .”
Sponsored by PD Ports
Inspirational – Our winner Shonette Bason with Kirsten Donkin of sponsor PD Ports .
FINALIST : FINALIST :
CAROLE KNOTT ( ITS )
Carole has a positive outlook on work and life – and everyone at Middlesbrough-based automation systems integration company ITS feels the benefit .
Early life wasn ’ t easy – her husband died when she was 25 , leaving her to bring up two children under five – but , determined to provide for them , she got a degree and progressed through several senior project management roles .
Carole is operations improvement manager at ITS , but to her colleagues , she ’ s much more – a listener , a supporter , a motivator and a friend , always encouraging colleagues to be the best person they can be .
As CEO and husband Malcolm Knott says : “ No matter what hardships she faces , she always has a smile on her face , and thinks of others before herself .”
ROSALIND STUART
As Tees Valley coordinator for The Girls ’ Network , Rosalind matched 150 girls and young women with female mentors across the Tees Valley .
And by harnessing the talent and drive of working women to act as mentors , she ’ ll have inspired some of our region ’ s young female talent to pursue their chosen careers .
During her role with The Girls ’ Network , Rosalind – appointed engagement officer for the Power of Women campaign since the awards - has shown the importance of mentoring by , firstly , mentoring herself , and by recruiting a cross-section of women to be mentors .
She also persuaded eight girls to submit evidence to the UK 2070 Commission ’ s Tees Valley Task Force , ensuring the commissioners know the realities of growing up in the region as a girl .
SPONSOR ’ S MESSAGE
Kirsten Donkin , head of PR , marketing and communication at PD Ports , said : “ I was honoured to present the Inspiring Others award on behalf of PD Ports for the second year running .
“ There are so many inspiring female role models across the Tees Valley doing incredible things , often through adversity , which make a positive difference to the lives of others . Each of the candidates showed true strength , passion and commitment for the work they do .
“ Welcoming new names , shows the level of impact the Tees Businesswomen Awards continues to have , raising the profile of positive and visible female role models while promoting equality across our region . Well done to Carole , Shonette and Rosalind .”
42 | Tees Business