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 awards in a competition that drew more than 1,500 entries from 56 nations and territories. The finalists include a property developer who spent 35 years in male-dominated rooms, a woman who launched a new career at 60 and found 245 million readers, and an entertainer who teaches families how to step into the world of someone living with dementia. Gold, Silver, and Bronze placements will be announced at a ceremony in New York City on November 16, with more than 400 women and their guests expected to attend.
The scale of Australian representation underscores the country's growing influence in global business awards. Raquel Manning of Blue Diamond Property Group leads the group with eight Stevies, 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 sectors from property and business services to media, government, and consumer products, highlighting the breadth of female-led innovation.
Annette Densham, award strategist and founder of Award Writing Services, said, "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 firm was recognized in six categories, including Best New Product or Service for the Breadcrumb Method, its system for turning expertise into visible, verifiable authority. She 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."
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. 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 profiles, attract investment, and open doors to new markets. 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.
