At ComfortDelGro Australia (CDC), Tammy Vella is more than just a National Health, Safety, Environment, and Quality (HSEQ) Manager. She is known across states, departments, and business units for bringing together diverse teams to tackle complex challenges and improve the way the company operates.

Since joining CDC’s National Safety Team in 2020, Tammy has helped drive an ambitious goal of aligning safety practices across a broad and diverse business. By ensuring that everyone understood their role, saw a bigger picture and had a voice in shaping the solution, she was instrumental in projects like the rollout of pre-sign on breath testing — a complex initiative involving multiple internal teams and an external vendor.

Her people-first approach to practical problem solving reflects one of our company’s core values: collaboration. It also exemplifies how we live our purpose — Mobility for a Better Future. Tammy actively contributes to subject matter expert working groups and forums where colleagues across Australia come together to solve problems and learn from one another.

Her proudest moment? Being part of the National ISO Certification Project — a major undertaking that brought teams together nationwide to standardise processes and raise the bar across the board.

Whether she is working with Operations, IT, or Asset Management, Tammy brings empathy, structure, and a strong sense of shared purpose — making her a trusted voice and go-to collaborator for both advice and action.

From breaking barriers in Barbados to leading operations in the UK, Jacqui Carter’s journey is a testament to resilience, passion, and leadership.

She began as one of the first six women in the Barbados fire service before moving to the UK, where she worked as a lorry driver and later joined Metroline Ltd as a bus driver in 1998. Since then, she has steadily risen through the ranks—mentoring new drivers, enhancing safety standards, and shaping operations.

Today, Jacqui manages over 600 staff across two locations and, since early this year, has also taken on the role of interim Head of Recruitment and Training. Her passion for developing people made the transition a natural one, supported by her earlier experience in Metroline’s training department.

In her dual role, she focuses on strengthening processes, building staff capability, and navigating industry challenges with a solutions-driven mindset. Her strategic priorities for 2025 reflect a clear goal: to raise standards and build a resilient workforce.

At the core of her leadership is the strong bond she shares with her team. The garage operates like one big family—a close-knit, supportive environment where everyone looks out for one another.

Her message to anyone considering a career in the industry? Love what you do, embrace the challenges, and take pride in being part of a team that makes a difference.

It all began in 2005 when a graduate trainee programme caught Fola Olawo-Jerome’s attention and shaped her career ever since. The 18-month programme offered management training and hands-on experience in bus driving and other operational functions and served as a great introduction to the transport industry.

Today, Fola is the Garage Manager at Holloway Bus Garage. She starts each day connecting with her team, ensuring buses depart on schedule, and overseeing facilities and engineering. It’s a dynamic and demanding role where every moment counts, and effective delegation and management are the keys to keeping things running smoothly.

Managing one of Metroline Ltd’s largest garages involves working in a fast-paced environment. Fola focuses on developing talent and believes in the potential of her team members. She attributes her healthy work-life balance to effectively separating work from family time, which enables her to cherish quality moments with her loved ones.

When asked about her vision for the next 10 years, Fola aspires to take on a higher leadership role, championing bold ideas and positioning Metroline as a trailblazer in public transport innovation. Confident in the opportunities ahead, she shared, “The doors are open, and the support for female leaders is strong at Metroline. Trust yourself, and you will be rewarded.”

The Passion! Award winner, Colin Majid, Community Engagement Manager at CDC Darwin, goes beyond his role to drive positive change. He led a collaborative music video project raising awareness about rock-throwing at buses and inspires behaviour change.

Known for his resourcefulness, Colin builds strong partnerships to maximize sponsorship impact and spearheads creative initiatives like the Reconciliation Week mural project, fostering reconciliation and reducing anti-social behaviour. His dedication, visionary thinking, and community-first approach make a lasting impact.

The Special Mention recipient, Liu Cheng Gang from Beijing Jin Jian Taxi, demonstrated solid leadership during devastating rainstorms in Beijing in 2023, leading his team through treacherous conditions to deliver essential supplies to over 600 stranded taxi drivers and their families.