Property, dementia care, skincare, fashion, beauty, coaching, marketing and spirituality among the businesses heading to New York



SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, September 18, 2026 /24-7PressRelease/ -- A property developer who spent 35 years in rooms built for men. A woman who started a new career at 60 and found 245 million readers. An entertainer who teaches families how to step into the world of someone living with dementia. They're three of the 21 women-led Australian businesses who are finalists in 2026 Stevie Awards for Women in Business. On 16 November, they'll find out whether it is gold, silver or bronze Stevie trophy.

Between them, they won 70 Stevie Awards, roughly one in every 14, in a competition that drew over 1,500 entries from 56 nations and territories.

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, then Katrina Wurm and Michelle Wollaston with six each. Malini Raj of the Australian Multicultural Women's Alliance has five, and Kerry Bolton's Caring Lotus has four.

"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," Annette Densham, award strategist, said.

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. 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," Annette said.

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. More than 400 women and their guests are expected to attend, and the event will be broadcast live.

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."

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.

Raquel Manning, Blue Diamond Property Group
Woman of the Year – Real Estate
Most Resilient Women-Owned Business
Lifetime Achievement – Business
Best Female Entrepreneur in Asia, Australia or New Zealand
Female Executive of the Year in Asia, Australia or New Zealand
Most Resilient Female Leader
Social Change Maker of the Year – Gender
Female Thought Leader of the Year – Business Services

Shelly McElroy, Dream Culture
Company of the Year – Business Services – 10 or Less Employees
Most Innovative Company of the Year – 10 or Less Employees
Best Female Entrepreneur – Business Services – 10 or Less Employees
Mentor or Coach of the Year – Business
Mentor or Coach of the Year – Consumer
Achievement in Thought Leadership
Female Thought Leader of the Year – Business Services

Katrina Wurm
Most Resilient Female Leader
Social Change Maker of the Year – Disability
Social Change Maker of the Year – Gender
Women Helping Women – Social Change
Community Involvement Program of the Year at a Women-Owned or -Led Organization
Female Thought Leader of the Year – Consumer Services

Michelle Wollaston, Syzygy – Life Directionist
Woman of the Year – Media and Entertainment
Maverick of the Year
Most Resilient Female Leader
Digital Content Series of the Year
Best Female Content Creator of the Year – Other Industries
Best Female Business Blogger of the Year

Malini Raj
Woman of the Year – Government or Non-Profit
Women's Rights Advocate of the Year
Female Executive of the Year – Government or Non-Profit – 10 or Less Employees
Female Innovator of the Year – Government or Non-Profit – 10 or Less Employees
Female Thought Leader of the Year – Government or Non-Profit

Kerry Bolton, Caring Lotus
Best Female CEO of the Year
Company of the Year – Consumer Services – More Than 10 Employees
Women-Run Company for Social Good
Women-Run Workplace of the Year – More Than 10 Employees

Brenda Keane, BeKeane Healthy & Fit
Social Change Maker of the Year – Disability
Women-Run Company for Social Good
Thought Leadership Campaign of the Year – Consumer Products

Celanie Meyer, Ascent Professional Services
Female Executive of the Year – Business Services – 11 to 2,500 Employees
Maverick of the Year
Most Resilient Female Leader

Together We Can International
Achievement in Diversity & Inclusion
Women-Run Company for Social Good
Social Change Maker of the Year – Disability (Cath Durney, CEO)

Oi Cosmetic Studio
Best Female Entrepreneur – Consumer Services – 10 or Less Employees (Abby Stuart)
Female Executive of the Year in Asia, Australia or New Zealand (Jessica Addley)
Female Employee of the Year – Business (Jodi Withers)

Jacine Drummond
Company of the Year – Consumer Products – More Than 10 Employees
Most Innovative Woman of the Year – Manufacturing

Gwen Baker, Boxer Brands
Fastest Growing Women-Owned or -Led Company of the Year
Best Female Entrepreneur – Business Services – 11 to 2,500 Employees

Jenny Pither, Allied Health Admin and Consulting
Company of the Year – Business Services – 10 or Less Employees
Best Female Entrepreneur – Business Services – 10 or Less Employees

Emma Payne, HappiHive
Social Change Maker of the Year – Disability
Community Involvement Program of the Year at a Women-Owned or -Led Organization

Collectiv. Accounting
Startup of the Year – Business Services Industries
Best New Product or Service of the Year – Business Services

Jess Chalk, For Keeps
Best Female Entrepreneur – Consumer Products – 10 or Less Employees (For Keeps)
Best New Product or Service of the Year – Consumer Services

Beam in Business: Event of the Year (Fuchsia Festival 2026)
Chrissy Alger, Freedom Mastery: Most Innovative Woman of the Year – Industry
Macy Morrow, Spear and Arrow Therapeutic Services: Female Employee of the Year – Business
Lauren Karan, Karan & Co: Social Change Maker of the Year – Gender

About Award Writing Services
Award Writing Services is a specialist award entry and perception strategy practice founded by Annette Densham. It draws on more than 40 years of journalism and communications experience across News Corp, Fairfax and corporate PR. Annette has written over 2,500 award submissions and personally won seven Grand Stevie Awards, and Award Writing Services was named the inaugural Most Honoured Awards Agency at the 2025 International Business Awards. Her proprietary Breadcrumb Method turns a founder's expertise into a trail of evidence that judges, media and clients can follow. She is the author of five books, an experienced MC, and advises award programs on judging integrity. Based in Bali, she works with businesses across Australia, the Middle East, US and UK. www.awardwritingservices.com

About the Stevie® Awards
Stevie Awards are conferred in nine programs: the Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards, the German Stevie Awards, the Middle East & North Africa Stevie Awards, The American Business Awards®, The International Business Awards®, the Stevie Awards for Great Employers, the Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service, the Stevie Awards for Technology Excellence, and the Stevie Awards for Women in Business. Stevie Awards competitions receive more than 12,000 entries each year from organizations in more than 70 nations and territories. Honoring organizations of all types and sizes and the people behind them, the Stevies recognize outstanding performances in the workplace worldwide. Learn more about the Stevie Awards at http://www.StevieAwards.com.

Read the original story here: https://www.24-7pressrelease.com/press-release/538745/two-writers-21-businesses-70-stevie-awards-for-women-in-business

Press Release Service and Press Release Distribution by 24-7 Press Release Newswire