Professor Paula Barrett

When Paula Barrett (pictured to the left of Telstra's Holly Kramer) migrated to Australia from Portugal in 1986 she didn't speak a word of English. Many told her that she would never succeed in Australian business or academia without English as a first language. However, it didn't take her long to prove them wrong.

In November 2008 Professor Barrett, Director of Pathways Health and Research Centre, was named 2008 Telstra Queensland Business Woman of the Year and also received the Yellow™ Business Owner Award.

The Telstra Business Women's Awards celebrate the achievements of remarkable women. Past winners include some of Australia's most talented business leaders, whose achievements inspire business people around the country.

Australia 101 spoke with Prof. Barrett after she received her award. Born in Angola, Africa, she moved frequently, living in Mozambique, Macao and many other places before settling in Australia.

Paula explained to me how immersion in many different countries fostered within her tolerance and compassion towards other cultures. This, mixed with her true passion for helping families, has helped to make her practice what it is today.

Pathways Health and Research Centre provides help to children and adults in Canada, Mexico, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Iceland, Ireland, Japan, Finland and Norway, the United States, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Portugal, the Netherlands, Hong Kong and China.

The organisation’s program, FRIENDS for Life, has been recognised by the World Health Organization as the best practice for the prevention and treatment of childhood anxiety and depression through the building of emotional resilience.

Furthermore, Paula's charitable trust, Pathways to Reliance, aids in the treatment and prevention of anxiety and depression in children through early intervention, and aims to decrease the incidence of youth suicide.

For more information about Paula's important work visit: Pathways HRC