Twenty-one Australian women-led businesses have been named finalists in the 2026 Stevie Awards for Women in Business, a competition that attracted more than 1,500 entries from 56 nations and territories. Between them, these finalists have already won 70 Stevie Awards, roughly one in every 14 awarded in the program's history. The announcement underscores the increasing visibility and impact of Australian women entrepreneurs across diverse industries, from real estate and business services to health and social change.
The finalists include Raquel Manning of Blue Diamond Property Group, who leads the group with eight Stevie Awards, 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. These women represent a broad spectrum of sectors, from property development to dementia care and multicultural advocacy.
Annette Densham, an award strategist and founder of Award Writing Services, said the finalist list is a moment of reflection for women who often don't pause to recognize their own achievements. "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." Densham's own firm, Award Writing Services, was recognized in six categories, including Best New Product or Service for its Breadcrumb Method, a system for turning expertise into visible, verifiable authority.
The Stevie Awards for Women in Business honor the achievements of women executives, entrepreneurs, employees, and the organizations they run worldwide. Named after the Greek word for "crowned," the Stevie has been hailed as the world's premier business award. Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Grand Stevie placements will be announced at a ceremony in New York City on 16 November. More than 400 women and their guests are expected to attend, and the event will be broadcast live. Details about the awards and the full list of winners are available at Women.StevieAwards.com. Entries for the 2027 awards open in May.
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. We congratulate all of this year's finalists and look forward to revealing the Gold, Silver, and Bronze Stevie Award placements on November 16."
The recognition of these 21 Australian businesses matters because it signals the growing global influence of women-led enterprises from Australia. It also highlights the role of award programs in validating and amplifying the work of women who might otherwise go unrecognized. For many finalists, the Stevie Awards provide not just a trophy but a platform to showcase their impact, attract new opportunities, and inspire other women to pursue leadership roles. As the business world continues to grapple with gender disparities in leadership and entrepreneurship, the success of these women serves as a powerful counter-narrative and a benchmark for what is possible.
