Proximity undertakes a raft of new promotions

CANBERRA – Monday 2 September, 2024

Today, multidisciplinary advisor to Government, Proximity, is celebrating the professional success of 14 employees having announced a series of promotions across the organisation.

Proximity is committed to rewarding staff that deliver excellent client service and contribute to a positive workplace culture with a focus on collaboration and knowledge sharing. Each of the team members promoted today have been instrumental in the success of the organisation and have demonstrated their dedication to living the Proximity values – genuine people, bold approach and helpful outcomes.

Zoe Lynam, Proximity’s Chief Executive Officer and Legal Lead congratulated the newly promoted employees and reaffirmed the organisation’s focus on ensuring internal career progression pathways for those who excel.

“Today, we celebrate the strong performance of several colleagues who consistently showcase leadership, innovation, and a client-focused approach necessary to excel at the next level. Each of these team members has demonstrated their integrity, brought fresh ideas and creative solutions to the table, built strong, trust-based client relationships and worked seamlessly with colleagues to achieve common goals. Their resilience in overcoming challenges and commitment to continuous professional growth are truly commendable. Their achievements are a testament to their commitment to excellence and we continue to acknowledge and elevate those who professionally shine. I wish each of them continued success in their new roles,” Zoe Lynam, CEO, Proximity.

The promotions are effective as of today, Monday 2 September and are as follows:

Kimberley Baillie
Expert Advisor – Legal

Kimberley is a trusted advisor in Proximity’s Legal Group, known for her technical expertise and leadership. She is highly regarded for her client relationship management, and supportive nature, and she consistently excels across all areas. She contributes extensively to the business and has consistently demonstrated the capability, leadership and collaborative skills required at the Expert Advisor level. This milestone is a testament to her exceptional legal acumen, dedication, and unwavering commitment to excellence.

Phil Cholewick MBA, MCIPS
Expert Advisor – Procurement & Contracts

Phil is recognised by Proximity colleagues and our clients as a continually high performing and experienced procurement and contracting practitioner. He has deep experience in the application of public sector procurement operating frameworks and a proven capability to successfully provide expert subject matter advice. Phil has been a member of the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (MCIPS) for over 20 years providing clients with credible contemporary strategic commercial advice to tackle complex business challenges. As a people focused leader, Phil recognises the importance of acknowledging the part individuals and teams play in the project successes and quite naturally voices this recognition to others. 

Andrew Stephen
Expert Advisor – Procurement & Contracts

Since joining Proximity, Andrew has shown great dedication and achieved notable results, earning the trust of clients and colleagues alike. His key contributions were crucial in delivering major procurement capability reviews. Andrew approaches challenges calmly, provides practical advice, and consistently supports others. Andrew’s strong technical procurement and leadership skills led to his appointment as a Procurement & Contracts Team Lead earlier this year. As a Career & Wellbeing Manager, mentor, and coach, he has been a steadfast supporter of the team. 

Hannah von Forell
Special Advisor – Legal

Hannah has excelled in high-pressure roles, delivering impactful results for our clients. She developed and implemented tools for her client to track work, increasing transparency and accountability and ensuring work utilisation goals could be measured and met – receiving overwhelmingly positive feedback for her contribution. Hannah is passionate about training and development and is an active participant in the ACT Law Society’s Ethics Committee.

Loretta Houlahan
Special Advisor – Legal

Loretta is a highly experienced solicitor with expertise in public law advising, litigation, dispute resolution and privacy. She receives overwhelmingly positive client feedback for her contribution. Loretta sits on a number of boards and committees in Government sectors and is a committed Legal Officer in the Royal Australian Navy Legal Reserves. Loretta is generous with her time and expertise, working with junior lawyers, and writing for Proximity’s thought leadership publication, The Pulse.

Aarti Kashyap
Special Advisor – Consulting

Aarti’s passion and professionalism have greatly advanced our projects and inspired her colleagues. Her dedication and unwavering commitment to delivering high-quality, impactful results and address challenges with passion and professionalism, while fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment, has been invaluable and widely acknowledged by Proximity’s clients. Her efforts not only elevate her project team’s performance but also set a high standard within the branch. 

Rechelle Leahy
Special Advisor – Procurement & Contracts

Rechelle has been instrumental in the growth of Proximity’s Probity Practice, bringing a high level of professionalism and expertise to Proximity’s approach to providing probity services to clients. Rechelle is able to utilise her wide variety of skills to provide considered, practical and culturally appropriate probity advice to Proximity clients. She is a dedicated and important member of the team and her contributions are appreciated and recognised through this promotion. 

Caitlin Morgan
Special Advisor – Legal

Caitlin has consistently demonstrated her versatility and commitment to Proximity’s values. Throughout her 7+ years at Proximity, Caitlin has continually demonstrated an amazing ability to seamlessly transition to new subject areas, working across multiple clients and areas of law. She was a worthy recipient of a Secretary’s Award for her work within DFAT’s FOI Team in 2023.

Anita Morris
Special Advisor – Procurement & Contracts

Anita’s dedication and rapport with clients have been key to the success of many of our projects. Anita displays accountability and dedication in delivering positive client outcomes. Anita’s attitude and efforts have allowed her to build and maintain a great rapport with her client, who regularly provides positive feedback on Anita’s outcomes. Anita is also one of Proximity’s professionalisation champions and the ACT committee member for the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply. Anita’s skills, expertise and dedication has resulted in her well-deserved promotion to Special Advisor.

Katie Webber
Special Advisor – Legal

Katie is a technically excellent lawyer with 10 years’ post-qualification experience, a trusted advisor to Proximity’s government clients, a public law specialist and an emerging leader within the business. She has received wonderful feedback from her clients who have recognised that she has embraced her engagements with them and proactively sought out opportunities to grow her technical and leadership skills. Katie is an active brand ambassador for Proximity. As a Melbourne based lawyer, she generously gives her time and support to lawyers in the Melbourne team. 

Joshua Cox
Senior Advisor – Consulting

Since joining Proximity Josh has built a reputation as a go to Advisor through his contribution to both clients and the broader business.  Josh is flexible, adaptable and able to self-direct and lead work, enabling him to deliver great outcomes for clients across a range of consulting and commercial services. Josh is an expert relationship builder, effectively managing stakeholders and leading internal projects with success. Taking an active role within the early career cohort, Josh is also a great mentor and buddy to his peers. 

Maathavan Manivannan
Senior Advisor – Procurement & Contracts

Maathavan has been an instrumental team member, expertly managing complex procurement and navigating significant client challenges to deliver exceptional results within tight deadlines. Maathavan’s technical skills, strategic insight, and stakeholder management have earned him the trust of clients and colleagues alike. He is committed to sharing knowledge and driving industry excellence. 

Trunisha Patel
Advisor – Procurement & Contracts

Trunisha has played a key role in supporting key client projects. Her exceptional organisational skills and commitment to doing whatever is needed to meet the client’s needs has proven to be an essential element in Proximity’s success. Trunisha consistently receives glowing feedback from clients and team members alike in what can often be a challenging and demanding role. Her contributions to clients, the Procurement and Contracts team, and Proximity are nothing short of brilliant.

Petria Paynter
Senior Advisor – Consulting

Petria has consistently demonstrated exceptional dedication, a commitment to continuous learning, and a strong alignment with Proximity’s values. Her meticulous attention to detail, proactive approach to challenges, and strong relationship-building skills have been invaluable in delivering outstanding results on complex projects. Petria embodies Proximity’s values, she fosters a positive team environment by actively supporting her colleagues and making meaningful contributions to Proximity initiatives which enhance both her skills and Proximity’s collective success.