Rosemarie Dawson, executive director of the Customs Brokers and Freight Forwarders Federation of New Zealand (CBAFF), has been honoured for her decades of dedicated service to the industry.

Dawson was presented with the Sir Bob Owens Award at the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) Awards in Auckland.

She is the first female winner of the award, which is presented to an individual who has made outstanding contributions to the logistics, transport and supply chain sectors and to the community.

Judges consider how nominees have promoted professionalism and excellence through leadership and example and encouragement of networking, encouraged young persons to enter the sector and assisted their development and provided personal leadership on a voluntary basis in the wider community.

Presenting the award, CILT president Diane Edwards said Dawson had been a driving force in addressing challenges and contributing to successes within the logistics, transport and supply chain sectors.

“Having encouraged countless professionals to connect and collaborate, her passion extends to mentoring young individuals and promoting individual development within the workplace,” Edwards said.”

Dawson joined the New Zealand Institute of International Freight Forwarders in 1989 and became CBAFF executive director in 1996, a position she has held for 27 years.

She also leads BPSL, an organisation dedicated to supporting and developing ‘for purpose’ organisations throughout New Zealand and beyond and within several sectors.