Twenty-one Australian women-led businesses have been named finalists in the 2026 Stevie Awards for Women in Business, collectively earning 70 nominations—roughly one in every 14 of the more than 1,500 entries submitted from 56 nations and territories. The finalists will learn whether they have won gold, silver, or bronze at a ceremony in New York City on 16 November, which will be broadcast live and is expected to draw more than 400 women and their guests.
Among the finalists, 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 received six. Malini Raj of the Australian Multicultural Women's Alliance has five, and Kerry Bolton's Caring Lotus has four. Other nominees include Brenda Keane of BeKeane Healthy & Fit, Celanie Meyer of Ascent Professional Services, and Together We Can International, among others.
The scale of this recognition matters because it underscores the rising influence of Australian women in business sectors ranging from property and health to media and social change. It also signals that Australian women are increasingly leveraging global award platforms to validate their work, attract clients, and inspire others. As Annette Densham, award strategist and founder of Award Writing Services, noted, "I've been doing this a long time, and it still gives me goosebumps when the finalist list drops. 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 recognised in six categories, including Best New Product or Service for its Breadcrumb Method.
The Stevie Awards for Women in Business, now in its 23rd year, honour the achievements of women executives, entrepreneurs, employees, and the organisations they run worldwide. Named after the Greek word for "crowned," the Stevie has been hailed as the world's premier business award. 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."
For the finalists, the implications extend beyond trophies. Recognition at this level can elevate their profiles, open doors to new markets, and serve as a powerful tool for attracting investment and talent. It also highlights the diverse contributions of women-led businesses to social change, innovation, and economic growth. The full list of winners will be available at Women.StevieAwards.com, and entries for the 2027 awards open in May. More information about the Stevie Awards is available at www.StevieAwards.com.
