Marie Karekla named among leading women in HVAC&R

The list of high-achieving women in the industry was announced on Thursday. CCN received a record number of entries for this year’s list.

Originally from Adelaide, Marie began her career in grassroots sport, where she uncovered a deep passion for building programs that connect people, foster growth, and create lasting community impact.

Now, as AIRAH’s Head of Conferences, Events and Business Development, Marie has significantly expanded and elevated the organisation’s events portfolio – strengthening its relevance, reach, and value to members and industry professionals alike. Her strategic leadership has opened new business development pathways and driven stronger industry collaboration.

Within AIRAH, Marie is known as a leader who fosters a strong sense of purpose and connection, creating an environment where collaboration thrives, innovation is encouraged, and excellence is the standard. She empowers her team, champions fresh ideas, and ensures every initiative aligns with AIRAH’s broader mission of industry advancement and sustainability.

“I’m incredibly honoured to be named in the top 20 list alongside so many inspiring women,” Karekla says. “I feel truly lucky every day to work with such a talented, passionate team – their support and brilliance make everything possible.

“I am so happy and incredibly proud of Marie,” says AIRAH CEO Sami Zheng, Affil.AIRAH. “She truly deserves this recognition – not only for her outstanding contributions and the exceptional work she has delivered to the industry, but also for the inspiring leadership she demonstrates every day.

“Marie leads with a strong sense of direction, empowering her team and the people around her to grow. Her achievement is a reflection of her commitment to excellence.

“More than just pride, I feel a deep sense of optimism about the future of our industry – a future shaped by talented leaders like her.”  

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