Twenty-one women-led Australian businesses have been named finalists in the 2026 Stevie Awards for Women in Business, collectively earning 70 finalist placements—approximately one in every 14 across a competition that attracted more than 1,500 entries from 56 nations and territories. The breadth of recognition underscores the growing global influence of Australian women entrepreneurs across real estate, business services, health, manufacturing, and social change.
The finalists include Raquel Manning of Blue Diamond Property Group, who leads the Australian contingent with eight Stevie finalist nods, 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. Other notable finalists include Brenda Keane, Celanie Meyer, Gwen Baker, and Jenny Pither, among others.
Annette Densham, an award strategist whose firm Award Writing Services was itself recognised in six categories, emphasised the transformative impact of the awards. "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." Award Writing Services received a finalist spot for 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 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. 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.
Maggie Miller, president of the Stevie Awards, noted the significance of this year's finalists. "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," Miller said. "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 strong Australian showing reflects a broader trend of women-led businesses gaining international recognition. For many finalists, the awards serve as a platform to validate their work and amplify their impact. 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.
