Sarina Russo Group

Sarina Russo opened ‘The Office’ Business Academy (now Sarina Russo Schools Australia) in 1979 with $2,600, nine students and two part-time staff.

Sarina now leads the Sarina Russo Group a private company with interests in education, employment services and property. The Sarina Russo Group employs over 800 people and has a yearly turnover exceeding $75 million.

Sarina’s achievements include

· Joined Challenger Financial Services Group Ltd as an Independent director in August 2006.

· Member of Queensland Premier Peter Beattie’s Premier’s Advisory Board since 2000.

· Chairman and Trustee of the Jupiter’s Casino Community Benefit Fund since 1995.

· Member of the Queensland Tourism Board since 2002.

· Member of the Lord Mayor’s Community Trust Board since 1995.

· Member of the Queensland Education and Training Export Board since 2002.

· Member of the Council for Multicultural Australia Board since 2005. Appointed by the Prime Minister The Hon. John Howard.

· Recognised in Paris as one of the forty Leading Women Entrepreneurs of the World in 1992 and a member of the Leading Women Entrepreneurs World Advisory Board since 2006.

· Member of the Women’s Leadership Board of the John F. Kennedy School of Government (Harvard Business School) since 2003.

· A graduate of the Harvard Business School (USA) Owner/President Management Program -
· Awarded the Multicultural Achievers Award by Queensland Government by Queensland Premier Peter Beattie in 2006.

· Entrepreneurial judge (Dragon) on Channel Seven’s international reality television show Dragons’ Den (2005). Other Dragon’s include Siimon Reynolds Creative Director, Love Communications; Peter Higgins Founder of Mortgage Choice; Darryn Lyons Chairman & CEO BIG Group of Companies; and Suzi Dafnis Director, Pow Wow Events -

· Celebrated 20 years as host of ‘How to Get That Job’ 5-minute segment on Channel 9 in 2005.

· Co-authored a motivational biography and business book “Meet me at the Top” with Russ Gleeson in 2002.

· Member of the Australiana Fund to raise funds to acquire and preserve a permanent collection of art works that are Australian by origin or by association.

· Appointed Honorary Ambassador for the City of Brisbane by the then Lord Mayor Jim Soorley in 1996.

Sarina Russo Job Access is Australia's largest privately owned Job Network agency with approximately 6% of national market share.

Nationally almost 75,000 people have achieved positive employment outcomes with Sarina Russo Job Access over the past three years whilst almost 65,000 employers have benefited from our comprehensive range of employment services.

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Over 5000 students graduate every year from academic and vocational courses run at Sarina Russo Schools Australia. These courses include:
· Russo School of Hotel and Tourism Australia – Hospitality and Tourism Specialist Courses;
· Russo Institute Australia – Business Courses.
· Russo English Australia – English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students; and
· Russo College Australia – Pathway to University Courses.

Russo Higher Education trading as James Cook University Brisbane is a partnership between James Cook University (Townsville) and the Sarina Russo Group. Officially opened by Queensland Premier, The Hon Peter Beattie, the University’s first class CBD campus offers students both undergraduate and post graduate courses in business and Information Technology. The University’s major point of difference is the ability to offer a ‘new corporate’ style of career focused education, including industry internships, assistance in finding work during the course, and then helping graduates develop careers after their course. The Group’s vision is to open James Cook University campuses in both Sydney and Melbourne.

Sarina Russo Apprenticeship Service provides a linkage between all parties required to achieve an Australian Apprenticeship.

Sarina Russo Apprenticeship Service promotes Australian Apprenticeships and gives advice on over 600 Qualifications. Sarina Russo Apprenticeship Service also pays Employers’ Incentives for training their staff through the New Apprenticeship Incentive Programme. Sarina Russo Apprenticeship Service currently provides a one stop shop for over 23,000 Australian Apprentices.

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Sarina Investments is Sarina Russo Group’s property investment vehicle. Major assets include:
· Sarina Russo Plaza – 349 Queen Street, Brisbane
· Sarina Russo Centre – 82 Ann Street, Brisbane
· Sarina Russo River Centre – 100 Eagle Street, Brisbane
· 457 Adelaide Street, Brisbane
· 219 Johnston Street, Fitzroy, Melbourne.

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Sarina Russo Open Employment Services provide specialist assistance and services to people with a disability who need ongoing support to help find and maintain regular employment