Dr Chamindika Konara takes home the Women in International Business Award at the Premier of Queensland’s Export Awards

Dr Chamindika Konara, was awarded the Women in International Business award at the 2023 Premier of Queensland Export Awards Gala in Brisbane this month. Dr Konara is the General Manager for Qlicksmart Pty Ltd, a Queensland company delivering staff safety solutions globally. 
Dr Konara has guided Qlicksmart to excellence in a challenging global market, with COVID-19 continuing to impact manufacturing and medical industries. Operating under her clear vision, Qlicksmart has built engaged partnerships with suppliers and distributors, increasing export revenue by 30% and growing overall profit by 35%. 
Dr Konara graduated from the University of Queensland with a Doctorate in Biotechnology and has a Bachelor's degree in Biomedical Engineering from the National University of Singapore. 
The Premier of Queensland's Export Awards are Queensland's highest recognition of success for businesses exporting goods and services. As the Women in International Business awardee, Dr Konara was recognised for her outstanding achievements in leading an international business.
Dr Konara's passion for promoting local innovation and gender equality within Queensland's biomedical sector has resonated with Qlicksmart's employees and on the international stage. In 2023, Dr Konara established an industry-leading Employee Benefit Program aimed to close traditional gender gaps and promote inclusivity. 
Dr Chamindika Konara said that the calibre of the finalists for the Women in International Business Award was exceptional, and each finalist is an inspiration to upcoming women in business.  
'I am honoured to be among the finalists, who are championing Queensland women in international business,' she said. 
'I am also incredibly proud to lead a team that truly embraces diversity, and has achieved exceptional growth in export markets over the past year. This award is truly a reflection of the diversity and capabilities of the team at Qlicksmart.' 
'There has been a lot of support along the way, in particular from Trade and Investment Queensland, in order for us to bring Qlicksmart's life-saving devices into the hands of healthcare workers in more than 50 countries worldwide.'
Qlicksmart was also awarded the Queensland Export Award for the International Health category, which recognises outstanding international success in the health and wellbeing sector, and was a finalist under the Small Business Category. 
Qlicksmart was founded in 1998 by Queensland physicians Drs Neville Henry AM and Michael Sinnott, with the goal to help make healthcare a safer environment for staff and patients. Qlicksmart's world-first sharps safety devices have safely removed over 145 million scalpel blades, preventing an estimated 9,000 injuries to healthcare workers.
Co-founders Dr Neville Henry and Michael Sinnott expressed their joy at the recognition of Qlicksmart's triumphs at the Queensland Export Awards.
'We are extremely proud of Chamindika's accomplishments, and her modesty when presented with this prestigious award,' they said. 
'These awards provide validation for nearly 25 years of hard work that couldn't have been achieved without Dr Konara and the team.'