The Australian Filipina is proud to have previously shared the good news about three Pinays in New South Wales who are finalists in the 2021 AusMumpreneur Awards. These are: Fideliz Cruz, Tina Ranoso Bangel and Yona Signo.
It is with great pleasure that we found out that a Pinay in Western Australia, is also a finalist in the Awards. This is none other than Dr Vanessa Atienza-Hipolito of Women’s and Breast Imaging Cottesloe Western Australia. Vanessa in fact has been named as a finalist for the 2021 AusMumpreneur Awards in five categories:
AUSMUMPRENEUR OF THE YEAR AWARD
BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARD
HEALTH & WELLBEING AWARD
WOMEN'S CHAMPION AWARD
PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARDS MAKING A DIFFERENCE (LOCAL COMMUNITY)
TheAusMumpreneur Awards presented by The Women’s Business School celebrate and recognise Australian Mums in business achieving outstanding success in areas such as business excellence, product development, customer service and digital innovation. The awards are designed to recognize the growing number of women who successfully balance motherhood and business in a way that suits their life and family.
Vanessa is an overseas-trained Specialist Radiologist from the Philippines who undertook her sub-specialty fellowship training in breast imaging, interventional and vascular radiology, musculoskeletal and paediatric radiology in Western Australia.
She leads the team at Women’s and Breast Imaging (WBI) as a business owner, clinical director, and principal breast imaging specialist. She is committed to creating a positive, healthy, inclusive workplace environment for her staff and patients. WBI is an over 40-year-old business that she took over in 2014. It is a boutique breast imaging centre based in Cottesloe, the only private imaging centre in Western Australia which offers a one-stop-shop dedicated in screening and diagnosis of breast diseases in women, including paediatrics and men.
Outside of work, Vanessa is involved in amazing events where the faint-hearted don't tread - triathlon, half ironman, cycling, and marathon events! She adds to these community focussed activities with her musical and religious persona by being a member of a Filipino-Australian church choir (San Lorenzo Ruiz Choir) under the direction of her husband, Glenn.
Vanessa's achievements in her profession and service to the community had been recognised by the Millennial Achiever Award presented to her by the Filipino Australian Club of Perth Inc (FACPI) during the Philippines Independence Day Gala Night in June 2019.
Vanessa is delighted to be named as a finalist and is proud of her achievements, particularly she was appointed Adjunct Clinical Senior Lecturer, Examiner and Clinician-Student Mentor at Curtin Medical School Faculty of Health Sciences. She was also appointed to be an Adjunct Clinical Senior Lecturer at The University of Western Australia Medical School.
There are many benefits to balancing business and motherhood as Vanessa explains, “When I was working as a doctor in the government hospital, I had a fixed full-time work week. In addition, I had the responsibility to work after-hours, weekends, public holiday roster. I missed significant events in my kid’s life. Now as a business owner, I have a choice to attend to important family matters. I have the privilege to take time-off from work to attend my kid's school assemblies, concerts, academic awards, sporting competition events, and doctor’s appointments. I enjoy being an “Uber-mum” for my kids, loving our bonding moments during the commute to and from school and after-school extra-curricular activities. Going away on holidays is also easier compared to being a full-time employee.”
What do you hold fondly in your heart as your biggest achievement/s?
"I am grateful and thankful that I wake up every with a comfortable home, with a loving and supportive family especially my husband Glenn and smart and talented kids. I am grateful and thankful that I am surrounded by loving and supportive family, relatives, colleagues and friends. I am grateful and thankful that I am able to work full-time, own and manage my business, able to do my job which I love and am passionate about, saves lives, also a hands-on parent (present parent to my kids), work-life balance (self-care and able to do my extra-curricular activities like sports).
"I believe that my greatest achievement is that I am living a meaningful life every day, I am happy, content, and grateful for all the blessings I have received, receiving and going to receive. I am grateful that I am able to live with a purpose by helping people and being an inspiration to others. I am blessed that I have many ways to share myself, my talents and my professional skills to my community."
What is the best part of being a mumpreneur?
"Compared to working as a government employee, I enjoyed the autonomy of leading my own team. I can make time for my family. I lead a multicultural team who are also working mums with young or adolescent kids. The majority of the staff are working part-time due to family commitments. I supervise and mentor them, provide training opportunities for their personal growth and professional development including attendance at conferences, workshops, and hands-on training.
"It is a privilege and honour to continue the legacy of WBI, serving the women of WA for 40+ year."
It can be challenging to be a successful businesswoman whilst raising a family and Vanessa gives this advice for others thinking about starting their own enterprise. “Always remind yourself your “WHY”. Learn to develop your POSITIVE AND GROWTH MINDSET.”
People's choice voting is now open until 27th of August 2021, here is the link to share with your family, friends and followers:
WA & SA: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/wasa21
BACKGROUND INFO ON VANESSA ATIENZA-HIPOLITO
Vanessa was born and raised in Manila, by her parents Joy and Victor who are also from Manila. She is the eldest of two, with her sister Venice being four years younger than her. She has a younger half-brother Vyron and half-sister Via who she only met three years ago before her dad died.
She is married to Glenn Hipolito who is from Gapan, Neuva Ecija. They met in Perth 16 years ago, but that is another beautiful story to tell. They are blessed with two beautiful kids: Alessandro 14 years old and Zoe 10 years.
Vanessa ang Glenn
She graduated from a 3-year Pre-med BS Biology University course at DLSU Manila and subsequently attended De la Salle Medical and Health Sciences Institute, Dasmarinas Cavite – 4 years; had Internship – Makati Medical Centre - 1 year. She passed her medical board exam in 1999.
In 2005, she migrated to Australia where she completed her Radiology training.