Twenty-one Australian women-led businesses have been named finalists in the 2026 Stevie Awards for Women in Business, a prestigious global competition that drew over 1,500 entries from 56 nations and territories. The finalists, who collectively have won 70 Stevie Awards, will learn whether they have earned gold, silver, or bronze trophies at a ceremony in New York City on November 16.
Among the finalists are Raquel Manning of Blue Diamond Property Group, who leads with eight Stevie Awards, including Lifetime Achievement and Woman of the Year in Real Estate; Shelly McElroy of Dream Culture, with seven awards; and Katrina Wurm and Michelle Wollaston, each with six. Other notable finalists include Malini Raj of the Australian Multicultural Women's Alliance with five awards and Kerry Bolton of Caring Lotus with four.
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. This year marks the 23rd edition of the awards, which will be broadcast live from New York.
Annette Densham, an award strategist and founder of Award Writing Services, which itself is a finalist in six categories, commented on the significance of the recognition. "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 firm was recognized for its Breadcrumb Method, a system for turning expertise into visible, verifiable authority, in the Best New Product or Service category.
Maggie Miller, president of the Stevie Awards, noted the significance of the recognition. "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 impact of this recognition extends beyond the individual honorees. For Long Beach, California, and surrounding areas, the success of these Australian women serves as a reminder of the global reach of women-led businesses and the importance of diversity in entrepreneurship. The Stevie Awards provide a platform for women to gain international visibility, which can lead to new opportunities, partnerships, and investment. As more women receive recognition for their contributions, it encourages others to pursue their own entrepreneurial goals and fosters a more inclusive business environment.
Details about the Stevie Awards for Women in Business and the full list of winners are available at Women.StevieAwards.com. Entries for the 2027 awards open in May. For more information about the Stevie Awards, visit www.StevieAwards.com.
