Twenty-one Australian women-led businesses have emerged as finalists in the 2026 Stevie Awards for Women in Business, collectively earning 70 nominations—roughly one in every 14 awards—in a competition that attracted over 1,500 entries from 56 nations and territories. The finalists, announced ahead of the 16 November ceremony in New York City, represent a cross-section of industries, from property and media to disability advocacy and consumer products. Their success underscores the rising visibility of Australian women in global business and the strategic value of award recognition.
Among the standout nominees is Raquel Manning of Blue Diamond Property Group, who leads with eight Stevie 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 hold six. Malini Raj of the Australian Multicultural Women's Alliance has five, and Kerry Bolton's Caring Lotus has four. These women are not only being honored for business acumen but also for resilience, social change, and thought leadership.
Annette Densham, an award strategist and founder of Award Writing Services, which itself is a finalist in six categories, noted the transformative power of the awards process. "I've been doing this a long time, and it still gives me goosebumps when the finalist list drops," she 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." Densham's firm was recognized for its Breadcrumb Method, a system that helps founders turn their expertise into verifiable authority.
The implications of this strong Australian showing extend beyond individual accolades. The Stevie Awards for Women in Business, now in its 23rd year, serve as a global benchmark for female achievement. Success in these awards can elevate a company's profile, attract new clients, and validate business models. For many of the finalists, the recognition also signals a shift in how women-led enterprises are perceived in international markets. Maggie Miller, president of the Stevie Awards, said, "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 finalists span a wide range of categories, from Most Resilient Women-Owned Business to Social Change Maker of the Year. For example, Together We Can International is nominated for Achievement in Diversity & Inclusion, while Oi Cosmetic Studio's Abby Stuart and Jessica Addley are recognized for entrepreneurship and executive excellence. These nominations highlight the diversity of talent within Australia's female business community and the increasing emphasis on social impact alongside profit.
Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Grand Stevie placements will be announced at a ceremony in New York City on 16 November, with more than 400 women and their guests expected to attend. The event will be broadcast live, further amplifying the reach of these achievements. Details about the Stevie Awards for Women in Business and the full list of winners are available at Women.StevieAwards.com. Entries for the 2027 awards open in May.
For Australian women in business, the strong showing in this year's awards is a clear signal that their contributions are being noticed on a global stage. It also demonstrates the growing role of award strategies in building credibility. As Annette Densham observed, "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." That moment of reflection may be the most valuable prize of all.
