Twenty-one Australian women-led businesses have been named finalists in the 2026 Stevie Awards for Women in Business, collectively earning 70 finalist nominations—roughly one in every 14 across a competition that attracted over 1,500 entries from 56 nations and territories. The finalists, spanning real estate, media, healthcare, consumer products, and professional services, will learn whether they have won gold, silver, or bronze on 16 November at a ceremony in New York City expected to draw more than 400 women and their guests.
Among the leaders is Raquel Manning of Blue Diamond Property Group, who holds eight finalist spots, 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 earned five, and Kerry Bolton's Caring Lotus has four. Other finalists include Together We Can International, Oi Cosmetic Studio, Gwen Baker of Boxer Brands, and many more.
The scale of these nominations matters because it underscores how Australian women are increasingly competing—and succeeding—on a global stage. The Stevie Awards for Women in Business, now in its 23rd year, honour 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. Recognition at this level can elevate profiles, attract investment, and open new markets for women-led ventures.
"I've been doing this a long time, and it still gives me goosebumps when the finalist list drops," said Annette Densham, award strategist and founder of Award Writing Services. "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 the Breadcrumb Method, its system for turning expertise into visible, verifiable authority. "People think awards are about the trophy or ego or bragging," she said. "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."
Maggie Miller, president of the Stevie Awards, noted the significance of the milestone: "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 implications extend beyond individual accolades. For women entrepreneurs, Stevie recognition can serve as a powerful validation that helps overcome persistent gender biases in business. It also signals to investors, partners, and customers that these leaders are operating at world-class standards. The diversity of categories—from social change and thought leadership to innovation and resilience—reflects the multifaceted contributions of women in business.
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.
