Hunter Women's Business Network (HBWN) president Sharon Waterhouse last night announced the 13 recipients of its Emerging Leader scholarships.

Sharon said the 13 women won tickets to attend the 2013 HBWN Regional Connect Conference, held Fort Scratchley and featuring Layne Beachley and Amanda Rose.

“Through the scholarships we are doing our bit to inspire young NSW women with fantastic leadership potential,” Sharon said.

The scholarships are open to women in NSW aged 35 or under who are a member of HBWN or nominated by a HBWN member.

At the conference they heard from seven-time ASP Women's world champion Layne Beachley, who spoke about motivation, inspiration and determination and shared personal anecdotes to inspire the audience.

In addition, host of “The Business Woman” the first and only radio program in Australia for business women, Amanda Rose, hosted her show from the conference.

She spoke with Belinda Grealy, Northern operations manager of Pacific Coal, Newcastle and a finalist in the 2012 Telstra Business Womens Awards as well as Kirsten Molloy, chief executive officer of the Hunter Valley Coal Chain Coordinator (HVCCC).

The scholarship recipients are as below:

• Brittney Saunders

a vlogger with the YouTube channel Beauty By Brittneyx, with a flair for fashion. 

• Emilia Cardillo

lawyer at Moray & Agnew and vice chair of HMRI PULSE Fundraising Committee.

• Emma Avery

an internal communication specialist at Greater Building Society and the winner of customer-owned financial institution sector's Australian Emerging Leader of the Year. 

• Grace McLean

fundraising manager at the Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children and the founder of NFP Connect, a Hunter- based group for those who work in the not-for-profit sector of the region.

• Haley Tibbetts

the business development manager at the Masters Building Association NSW's Newcastle office.

• Heather Moore

founder of hospitality consulting business, H for Hospitality, who is also opening her first restaurant, County, at the old Arnotts Bakehouse in Morpeth.

• Holly Martin

founder and owner of Just Holly | Marketing, PR, Communication, committee member of the Newcastle Business Club and Board member of the Hunter Breast Cancer Foundation and ConnectAbility

• Kristy Bagnall

HR team manager at Greater Building Society and a director for the Greater Charitable Foundation.

• Meredith Young

co-founder of Newcastle based handbag company, Young the Label.

• Michelle Barker

owner of Jayes Travel in Honeysuckle.

• Nikita Almond

a HBWN intern and a Bachelor of Communication student at The University of Newcastle.

• Robyn McAlpine

owner of Laser Effect skin and laser clinic.

• Tanya Blundell

award winning make-up artist and the Director of Chic Artistry.

The conference was sponsored by Hunter-based Greater Building Society.