Twenty-one women-led Australian businesses have been named finalists in the 2026 Stevie Awards for Women in Business, collectively earning 70 nominations—roughly one in every 14 finalist spots in a competition that attracted over 1,500 entries from 56 nations and territories. The winners will be announced at a ceremony in New York City on 16 November, where Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Grand Stevie placements will be revealed.
The finalist list reads like a who's who of Australian female entrepreneurship. Raquel Manning of Blue Diamond Property Group leads with eight nominations, including Lifetime Achievement and Woman of the Year in Real Estate. Shelly McElroy of Dream Culture follows with seven, while Katrina Wurm and Michelle Wollaston each have six. Malini Raj of the Australian Multicultural Women's Alliance has five, and Kerry Bolton's Caring Lotus has four. Other finalists include Brenda Keane, Celanie Meyer, Gwen Baker, Jenny Pither, Emma Payne, and many more, spanning industries from property and health to manufacturing and media.
Annette Densham, award strategist and founder of Award Writing Services, which itself received six nominations including Best New Product or Service for its Breadcrumb Method, said the recognition goes beyond trophies. "I've been doing this a long time, and it still gives me goosebumps when the finalist list drops," Densham said. "These are women who get on with it and rarely stop to look at what they've built. Entering the Stevie Awards is that pause to pat themselves on the back and reflect on what they've accomplished."
The scale of Australian success in this year's awards highlights a broader trend: women-led businesses from Down Under are increasingly competitive on the global stage. The Stevie Awards for Women in Business, now in its 23rd year, honor women executives, entrepreneurs, employees, and the organizations they run worldwide. Maggie Miller, president of the Stevie Awards, noted, "As the Stevie Awards for Women in Business marks its 23rd year, we continue to be impressed by the remarkable accomplishments represented among the nominations. It's especially rewarding to see the significance a Stevie Award holds for women and the recognition it brings to their achievements, careers, and organizations."
The implications of this recognition extend beyond individual accolades. For many of these founders, a Stevie Award can open doors to new markets, investors, and partnerships. It also serves as a powerful validation of their resilience and innovation, particularly in sectors where women remain underrepresented. Densham added, "People think awards are about the trophy or ego or bragging. For most of my clients, the moment that matters is reading their story and realising they've done a lot more than they gave themselves credit for."
Details about the Stevie Awards for Women in Business and the full list of winners are available at http://Women.StevieAwards.com. Entries for the 2027 awards open in May. More information about the Stevie Awards can be found at http://www.StevieAwards.com.
