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ABOUT US

WIPM is an association that benefits everybody

Women In Pest Management (WIPM) is an association that represents women in the Australian, New Zealand and South Pacific Pest Management Industry.

The WIPM committee is a team of givers, women who are passionate about what they do, women who are more than happy to provide information and help others succeed. We encourage and provide more educational opportunities, inspire more women to contribute to the industry, elevate the voices of women and work toward equality and positive change.

We support all associations and pest groups in the pest management industry by providing industry events, conferences, networking opportunities and award nights. We are all in the same field of work and we can bounce ideas off one another. Working together to achieve shared goals, to address problems and develop solutions that wouldn’t be as effective if working separately.

STRONGER TOGETHER

WIPM is an association to help you grow as a professional. Designing professional development opportunities within the association that suits you.

To become an individual member is FREE. Membership is open to men and women, and you must be involved in the pest industry. To join, all you need to do is click on the link below and request to join the private Facebook group.

Meet the Committee

President

Nicky Turner

About

Company or Business

Pestie Profiles, Laguna Pest Control, Peregian Pest Control.

Please give a short bio of yourself and include any awards you have won or if you have been a finalist.

First, I am a wife and Mum of three children. I am the Founder and past CEO/President of the Professional Women in Australian Pest Management. I am extremely proud of what I have achieved with the PWAPM, giving me the experience to move on to bigger and better opportunities with the WIPM. I’ve worked in a milk bar, fish and chip shop, then went on to become a baker and owned my own insect breeding business, selling insects to the pet trade. Got into the pest industry because of my husband. Multi Award Winner for the Sunshine Coast Business Awards and Pest Manger of the Year. I am a real foodie and love my wine and French champagne. I love travelling, especially when it includes conferences for work. Most of all I love it when I can stay in my PJ’s all day. My biggest passion is promoting and supporting women and men in the pest management industry and being an advocate for mental health awareness. I do not tolerate bullying in the workforce or social media. I am honest, loyal, a true friend and will walk away from those that do me wrong. My husband is my best friend, and my family means everything to me.

Why do you support WIPM?

Empowering women is essential to the health and social development of families, communities, and different industries. I feel by supporting women in the pest industry it helps them to reach their full potential by contributing their skills to others. My purpose has always been to promote and recognise women by introducing industry recognition awards, being able to offer education and training workshops and support women in all different roles.

Vice President

Amanda Robin

About

Committee Member

Aimee McBean

About

Company or Business

Bugs Gone Pest Control

Please give a short bio of yourself and include any awards you have won or if you have been a finalist.

Mum of three and wife to Craig. I run our small pest management business in Cambridge, New Zealand. I am a Master registered technician for the Pest Management Association of NZ and hold the NZ Cert in Pest Operations (Urban Pest Control). Passionate about all things pest control, protecting our native plants and wildlife. Love spending time with whanau, friends and getting rid of possums!

Why do you support WIPM?

Supporting women in a male dominated roles is important for any industry if we want diversity. If I can support someone new to the industry with information or advice which might help them going forward then that’s a win for everyone. I also want to make more connections within the NZ Pest Management family for my own benefit.

Committee Member

Sheri Ambler

About

Company or Business

Laguna Pest Control

Please give a short bio of yourself and include any awards you have won or if you have been a finalist.

With a background in sales, I completely changed careers in 2020 and entered the world of Pest Control. Who knew pest control could be so much fun! I am now a qualified general pest technician and am currently studying my cert III in Urban Pest Management. I have a great career balance – I work out on the road, looking after domestic pest control clients and I also work in reception, scheduling work and focusing on our resort and strata clients. I am a Mum of 2, a reptile enthusiast and always eager to learn more. In 2021, I won the Inaugural award for the PWAPM Female Trainee of the year.

Why do you support WIPM?

A woman alone has power; collectively we have impact. It is no secret that the pest control industry is male dominated and can present mental and physical challenges for females. Learning first-hand how to adapt and make changes to better suit my own personal capabilities, I am eager to support and advise other women in the same situation. Meeting other women and being able to share ideas, offer advice and just chat with, has done so much for my confidence, commitment to the industry and has given me enthusiasm to succeed and lift others to succeed with me.

Rachel Skedd

About

Company or Business

APC Tri-Star Developments Pty Ltd

Please give a short bio of yourself and include any awards you have won or if you have been a finalist.

I’m known as Rach to my good friends and mum to my beautiful two Gen Z’s. I have been involved in the Pest Industry for 22 years. Together with Cameron, my husband we ran our business – Acacia Pest Control in Geelong Victoria up until March this year when Cam and I sold the business. Acacia Pest Control started out as just Cameron and I in 2000 where I was just helping with the accounts. We grew the business to a team of eighteen in 2021 and my role in the business changed over the years from just accounts to all the different aspects of running a business, from accounting to HR to marketing to policy writing. We are now enjoying a quieter lifestyle between Victoria and sunny Queensland working remotely on a couple of projects and planning our next adventure. In 2020 I was a finalist for the PWAPM Excellence Award, which was a wonderful experience that gave me an opportunity to reflect on my role in our business and also introduced me to many other women in the pest industry. Meeting many of these women at the PWAPM Leadership Conference in 2021 gave me further inspiration to be better at my day job and support other businesses where I can.

Why do you support WIPM?

It’s great to be part of WIPM! I love that I am involved with a group of women and men who are supporting each other in their businesses. At a time in this world where mental health has become a major issue, it is groups like this that support and encourage us to push forward with our goals and ambitions and be better at what we do. It is great to bounce ideas off and connect with others in similar situations. For many in the pest industry, it isn’t just a job it is a way of life and is part of the family. I also hope I can be a resource for other small businesses.

Committee Member

Nikki De Renzy

About

Company or Business

Economic Pest Control Limited

Please give a short bio of yourself and include any awards you have won or if you have been a finalist.

I am a Zimbabwean who emigrated to Australia and ended up in New Zealand – so pretty much a Southern Hemispherian! I thought I had cleverly arranged early retirement from my very busy role in a large law firm but my partner Mike needed help mid-2020 run his urban pest management business. I knew how to manage and organise things but knew surprisingly little about pests. So while getting the business on track with administration, I also went out in the field and took on formal training – qualifying last year. The business grew hugely from 2020 to date and we took on a Technician for field work giving Mike more opportunity to expand the business even more. I run the Administration, the Scheduling and Reporting, the Accounting and the Health & Safety. I enjoy having a good relationship and communication with our clients and helping solve issues quickly. I also love going out with Mike and investigating complicated issues – especially ants, clever little things! Never did I realise pests were so interesting.

Why do you support WIPM?

Historically Pest Management has been a very male dominated career. However more and more women are making it their career choice. WIPM is a much needed support group, a safe place to ask questions, share work moments and learn. The energy of the team is infectious (in the best way) and the recognition and support is so encouraging to all.

Eliza Urey

About

Company or Business

Drop Dead Pest Control

Please give a short bio of yourself and include any awards you have won or if you have been a finalist.

Hello, my name is Eliza and I am 21 years old. I currently work as the Office/Administration Manager at Drop Dead Pest Control which my parents Colin and Jodi Urey own. I grew up helping out with the business and came on board full time at the end of 2017. I came on as a business administration trainee and completed my Certificate 3 and 4 through Tafe NSW. I was also fortunate to win a scholarship to study an Advanced Diploma in Hospitality and Events Management which I completed whilst working part time between 2019-2020. This was originally the career path I thought I would take and I had previously worked in the hospitality industry. During the COVID pandemic, I went back to working full time in a Management Position at Drop Dead Pest Control and I have loved it ever since. I work with my office team of 7 to ensure the business runs smoothly. I also look after our commercial clients and help out in the truck where I can. I recently attended my first Pesticon Conference and had a blast! I was very grateful to have come home with the Administrator of the Year Award from the PWAPM. Since winning the award, I have had great opportunities come my way such as being invited as a guest on the Pestie Profiles Podcast with Nicky and Jay Turner! I now look forward to supporting women in the Pest Industry with the Women in Pest Management Association. I am very excited to be the events coordinator and work with the team to create and organise incredible industry events. I am eager to combine my events and hospitality knowledge and experience with pest control (which I didn’t even know was possible!).

Why do you support WIPM?

I support the Women in Pest Management Association as I believe it is a great place to ask for help and share ideas to help make everyone’s lives and businesses better! I love meeting new people in our industry and creating positive working relationships. The women’s association is a safe place where women in our industry can come together and feel supported. I am very much looking forward to what is to come.

South Pacific Representative

Asita Devi Deo

About

Company or Business

Fastkil Pest Control Services

Please give a short bio of yourself and include any awards you have won or if you have been a finalist.

My name is asita devi deo, director of Fastkil Pest Control Services based in Fiji islands with 3 branches and with 65 staff in total. For me personally I call myself a master of all trades from pest control, fumigation and in general business operational duties in align with my company vision and mission which is my biggest achievements as follows.

2022 Professional Woman in Australian Pest Management Excellence award Winner | 2022 AEPMA Pest Manager of the Year for South Pacific | 2020 AEPMA Pest manager of the Year Finalist | 2019 Businesswoman of the year in Fiji 2nd Runner Up | 2019 PWAPM Finalist | 2019 AEPMA Finalist Pest Manager of the Year | 2018 AEPMA Pest Manager of the Year | 2018 Best Business Operations in Prime Minister Awards | 2017 AEPMA Finalist Manager of the Year | 2016 AEPMA Pest Manager of the Year | 2015 Pest Manager of the Year | 2013 Entrepreneur of the Year Woman in Business | 2013 Commendation Awards AEPMA.

Why do you support WIPM?

Through these achievements, I personally agree that us women are great leaders in managing household to business. We are game changers placed in any environment and are successful. I am passionate in assisting any woman who is eager to learn, and to be recognized in the industry as a whole, as this is my focus.

South Pacific Committee Member

Kushnumma Begum

About