FEATURED EXCELLENCE AWARDEE
Helene Hiotis
“I had a picture of a house, and the house was Premiere Mortgage Centre”
Kerri Reed,
Premiere Mortgage Centre
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excellence awardee:
School Principal of the Year - Government
www.bentleighsc.vic.edu.au
Trinity College South Australia
bentleigh.sc@education.vic.gov.au
03 9579 1044
4 Vivien Street, Bentleigh East VIC 3165
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EXCELLENCE AWARDEE:
School Principal of the Year - Government
Helene Hiotis
facebook.com/Bentleighsecondarycollege
@lindisfarnegrammar
1188 Whakue St, Rotorua Central, Rotorua
@WindangPS
Helene Hiotis is a visionary leader whose passion, strategy and care have transformed Bentleigh Secondary College into a school where every student can excel. As Principal, Helene was named Excellence Awardee in the 2025 Australian Education Awards in the category School Principal of the Year – Government, an honour that recognises her steadfast commitment to building an inclusive, future-focused school culture.
Invico Capital Corporation (“Invico”) is an award-winning Canadian investment fund management firm that has been providing alternative investing and financing solutions in Canada and the U.S. since its inception in 2005. The Calgary-based firm offers a range of private debt, energy, and real estate financing solutions that assist corporations in pursuing strategic acquisitions, financing capital expenditures and growth programs, and supporting working capital requirements.
Invico currently serves as the Investment Fund Manager for six funds, including the award-winning Invico Diversified Income Fund, which seeks to generate monthly returns for unitholders through a diversified portfolio of high-yield lending strategies and energy working interests across North America. This investment strategy serves as the foundation for the Fund’s niche hybrid structure, which combines approximately two-thirds privately negotiated debt with one-third direct participation in oil and gas wells.
The success of Invico and IDIF’s strategy was made clear in 2022, with the firm’s assets under management (AUM) growing from $1.4 billion to over $2.1 billion and IDIF’s AUM rising from $342 million to over $424 million. Additionally, IDIF’s innovative investment approach achieved several milestones over a 12-month period, including the issuance of over 100 consecutive distributions, a record annual capital raise, the sale of a subsidiary business for over $51 million, which was returned to the Fund, and the announcement of four additional distributions above the targeted rate of return.
Beyond the portfolio benefits offered by IDIF, Invico stands out in the Canadian private capital markets as a leader in diversity and inclusion efforts. The firm is overseen by one of the investment industry’s few female CEOs, Allison Taylor, and is proud to have a majority-female workforce that includes a C-suite comprised of 60% women and an investment team comprised of 56% women. Additionally, as a member of the 30% Club Canada, the company promotes gender balance at the board and management levels of both public and private companies.
Invico is also deeply committed to the broader community and has demonstrated various charitable initiatives, including introducing a charitable matching policy and a separate volunteer hours policy to encourage staff engagement. This initiative complements Invico’s extensive charity work, which included donations to over 22 local and national charities in 2022.
Further, Invico offers extensive advisory support and boasts a dedicated nationwide sales team, which includes native French-speaking members that service both the exempt market and Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (“CIRO,” formerly the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada) channels. Invico is also pleased to provide an in-house Investor Portal that has garnered attention from other private capital funds, with three additional entities adopting it for their use. With the capacity to generate over 22,000 investor statements each quarter and manage upwards of 24,000 accounts, the Investor Portal is a key tool in managing investors’ portfolios from 11 provinces and territories across Canada.
Lastly, as the winner of the Alternative Investment Solutions Provider of the Year at the 2023 Wealth Professional Awards, Invico is well-positioned to further its mission of transforming the Canadian investment landscape.
Invico Capital Corporation (“Invico”) is an award-winning Canadian investment fund management firm that has been providing alternative investing and financing solutions in Canada and the U.S. since its inception in 2005. The Calgary-based firm offers a range of private debt, energy, and real estate financing solutions that assist corporations in pursuing strategic acquisitions, financing capital expenditures and growth programs, and supporting working capital requirements.
Invico currently serves as the Investment Fund Manager for six funds, including the award-winning Invico Diversified Income Fund, which seeks to generate monthly returns for unitholders through a diversified portfolio of high-yield lending strategies and energy working interests across North America. This investment strategy serves as the foundation for the Fund’s niche hybrid structure, which combines approximately two-thirds privately negotiated debt with one-third direct participation in oil and gas wells.
The success of Invico and IDIF’s strategy was made clear in 2022, with the firm’s assets under management (AUM) growing from $1.4 billion to over $2.1 billion and IDIF’s AUM rising from $342 million to over $424 million. Additionally, IDIF’s innovative investment approach achieved several milestones over a 12-month period, including the issuance of over 100 consecutive distributions, a record annual capital raise, the sale of a subsidiary business for over $51 million, which was returned to the Fund, and the announcement of four additional distributions above the targeted rate of return.
Beyond the portfolio benefits offered by IDIF, Invico stands out in the Canadian private capital markets as a leader in diversity and inclusion efforts. The firm is overseen by one of the investment industry’s few female CEOs, Allison Taylor, and is proud to have a majority-female workforce that includes a C-suite comprised of 60% women and an investment team comprised of 56% women. Additionally, as a member of the 30% Club Canada, the company promotes gender balance at the board and management levels of both public and private companies.
Invico is also deeply committed to the broader community and has demonstrated various charitable initiatives, including introducing a charitable matching policy and a separate volunteer hours policy to encourage staff engagement. This initiative complements Invico’s extensive charity work, which included donations to over 22 local and national charities in 2022.
Further, Invico offers extensive advisory support and boasts a dedicated nationwide sales team, which includes native French-speaking members that service both the exempt market and Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (“CIRO,” formerly the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada) channels. Invico is also pleased to provide an in-house Investor Portal that has garnered attention from other private capital funds, with three additional entities adopting it for their use. With the capacity to generate over 22,000 investor statements each quarter and manage upwards of 24,000 accounts, the Investor Portal is a key tool in managing investors’ portfolios from 11 provinces and territories across Canada.
Lastly, as the winner of the Alternative Investment Solutions Provider of the Year at the 2023 Wealth Professional Awards, Invico is well-positioned to further its mission of transforming the Canadian investment landscape.
The Lakes College Culinary Club (TLCCC) started with a team of 12 students and has now expanded to over 30 members, showcasing its continued success through participation in college events and even catering for local community organisations. This program not only imparts valuable culinary skills but also teaches the significance of community service, fosters practical abilities and cultivates a professional work ethic.
Spanning ages 11 to 18, the Culinary Club challenges students to create elaborate six-course degustation dinners and manage large-scale catering for college gatherings. Chloe, a Year 7 student, praises the program for imparting essential life skills in an enjoyable way among friends. Likewise, Emily values the connections she forms despite the program’s demanding pace.
Under the guidance of Chef Joel, TLCCC contributes to the college’s ethos and the students’ personal growth. The program’s commitment to local ingredients and culinary adventures is evident as it expands to include barista training and Responsible Service of Alcohol certification. The program seamlessly merges science, art and food technology, promoting discipline and shared responsibility. TLCCC embodies a commitment to service, community engagement and student leadership, cementing its unique character and contribution to The Lakes College.
The Lakes College Culinary Club (TLCCC) started with a team of 12 students and has now expanded to over 30 members, showcasing its continued success through participation in college events and even catering for local community organisations. This program not only imparts valuable culinary skills but also teaches the significance of community service, fosters practical abilities and cultivates a professional work ethic.
Spanning ages 11 to 18, the Culinary Club challenges students to create elaborate six-course degustation dinners and manage large-scale catering for college gatherings. Chloe, a Year 7 student, praises the program for imparting essential life skills in an enjoyable way among friends. Likewise, Emily values the connections she forms despite the program’s demanding pace.
Under the guidance of Chef Joel, TLCCC contributes to the college’s ethos and the students’ personal growth. The program’s commitment to local ingredients and culinary adventures is evident as it expands to include barista training and Responsible Service of Alcohol certification. The program seamlessly merges science, art and food technology, promoting discipline and shared responsibility. TLCCC embodies a commitment to service, community engagement and student leadership, cementing its unique character and contribution to The Lakes College.
youtube.com/@canterburycollege-waterford
Principal
Since taking the role, Helene has overseen the creation of major learning infrastructure that supports diverse talent: the da Vinci STEAM Centre (2019), the Sports Stadium (2020) and the Performing Arts Precinct (2024). She champions programs such as the Buzz Academy and Real Schools, which embed high expectations, respectful relationships, collaboration and excellence across every classroom and workspace.
Helene’s leadership is not only about facilities or awards; it’s about people. She believes in knowing each student, supporting their unique needs and inspiring them to be their best. Under her guidance, students feel seen, staff are empowered, and the community is connected. Bentleigh Secondary College is a place where belonging comes first, where every pathway is celebrated and where every learner is encouraged to thrive.
Principal
