FINALISTS
2026 Business Woman of the Year Awards
Congratulations to the 2026 Business Woman of the Year Finalists!
I would like to extend a personal congratulations to the Finalists of the 2026 SCBWN Business Woman of the Year Awards, and I look forward to seeing you at the upcoming Purple Room event and celebrating with you at our August Gala.
Speaking from personal experience the process of the Awards is rewarding in its own right, and to make Finalist is an achievement in itself.
Winners of each category receive:
- A trophy and certificate, as well as their names added to the prestigious list of names on the perpetual trophy
- 12 months complimentary SCBWN Membership
- Complimentary attendance at four (4) of the SCBWN signature breakfast, lunch or cocktail monthly events (excludes major events and professional development sessions). Complimentary event tickets to be taken within a 12month period.
- One (1) ticket to the 2026 Purple Room event
- One (1) ticket to the 2026 Awards Gala event
The Outstanding Business Woman of the Year also receives
- EON BROADCASTING – $5k Advertising package
- SUNSHINE COAST NEWS – $5k print/media advertising package.N1
- WIN NETWORK – $5k Advertising package.N2
N1= Subject to space/availability. Valid for use by 31/12/2026.
N2= excluding production & recording. Approximately 80 x 15 second commercials or 50 x 30 second commercials across 9, Go and Gem in the Sunshine Coast market. Valid until August 31st, 2027.
Taking home this honour has lead to extraordinary outcomes for our past Award recipients. They have spoken of increased profile within the business community, enhanced business opportunities and profitability rises as a direct result of winning these Awards. Past President Roz White attributes her Outstanding Business Woman of the Year Award to her connection to SCBWN, of which we are all eternally grateful.
Whether you hold that trophy in August or not, the SCBWN Executive and myself wish for this to be a life-changing experience for you, and for you to enjoy taking a moment to reflect on your business story and celebrate your achievements to date.
It is my absolute pleasure to announce the Finalists for 2026 below.
Renee Cooper
Awards Judging Chair
Sunshine Coast Business Women's Network
Corporate Business Woman of the Year Finalists - sponsored by Lavender Co.
- Elizabeth Fairon - Life Law Solutions
- Christine Genocchio - lmperium Corporate Services
- Lauren Kevu - Zoe Allied Health Clinics
- Kate Langford - Kate Langford Consulting
- Agnes Pennay - Fresh Meats
- Jodi Theisen - Digital Nomads HQ
- Virginia Tobias - Brisbane Alarm Monitoring Security Services
- Kristine Young - Bella Venezia Group - Fish House Steak & Grill
Micro Small Business Woman of the Year Finalists - sponsored by University of the Sunshine Coast
- Erin Barnes - A Human Edge
- Glin Bayley - Simply Glin
- Nikki Fogden-Moore - Nikki Fogden-Moore The Mojo Maker Group©
- Eleanor Groat - Your Best Asset
- Kathy McKenzie - FIRE UP Coaching®
- Francesca Molina - Her Legal Edge
- Vanessa Nock - Uniqueness Designer Jeweller
- Lucy Ravenwood - She Sings
- Philippa Scott - Fantastic Futures
- Eliza Wellington - Luvarlee
- Madeleine White - The Conscious Chiropractor
Professional Business Woman of the Year Finalists - sponsored by Pacific Ford
- Vanessa Adamson - Advanced Flight Theory
- Tracey Coobula - Sunshine Coast Regional Jobs Committee
- Ciara Hablado - University of the Sunshine Coast
- Aimee Heilmann - realestate.com.au (REA Group)
- Denise Jensen - Destiny Rescue Australia
- Dr Karen Sutherland - University of the Sunshine Coast
- Ali Thompson-Ennis - Visit Sunshine Coast
- Tracey Tucker - ECOllaboration
Young Business Woman of the Year Finalists - sponsored by Bishopp Advertising
- Keely Abbot - Kinetic
- Megan Eichhorn - Tayme Financial Group
- Alori Gapes - IROLA Creative Agency
- Maddie Lawler - Richardson & Wrench Coolum
- Tara Rockett - Rockett Finance Solutions
- Charlize Walsh - Concept Laboratories
The recipient of Sustainable Business Woman of the Year is chosen from the above categories as the person who is most focused and active in creating a sustainable business for the future. This Category is sponsored by the Sunshine Coast Council.
Sustainability Finalists to be announced at the Purple Room event.
The recipient of the award for the final category, the Outstanding Business Woman of the Year Award (sponsored by Pacific Law) are selected from the Finalists across all categories by the Judging Chair, Written Judges and Interview Judges.Next steps for our Finalists:
Attend an official photo shoot and complete a short media questionnaire
My Weekly Preview will contact you to organise a time for a professional Head Shot photo shoot. This head shot will be utilised for the My Weekly Preview Annual SCBWN Awards Publication.
Attend a formal interview
The Judging Chair will have emailed your allocated time for your 30 minute interview on the dates of 23nd – 25th July 2026. Please make sure your diaries are updated with this time.
The location of these interviews is the offices of Pacific Law, Maroochydore. Their phone number if you are lost is 07 5443 4744.
Remember the Interview Judges have not read your submission, so please do not assume they know you at all.
Attend the Purple Room Event
Thursday 6th August from 5:30pm [venue to be advised]. Please note mid-afternoon there will be a Media Master class for Finalists.
An invitation will be forwarded to you by the SCBWN Event Coordinator for your RSVP.
This is an important event to attend to meet the other Finalists, Current Business Woman of the Year Winners and Sponsors.
At this event we answer all of your questions about the Gala Award Ceremony.
Attend the Gala Awards Ceremony
Friday 21st August 2026 from 6pm – 11pm at Venue 114, 114 Sportsmans Parade, Bokarina QLD 4575.
The process culminates on this Gala evening with the Category winners’ announcement. Invite your friends and family, dress up, prepare your 2 minute acceptance speech and celebrate your achievements to date.
Become a Winner of your Category, Sustainable or Outstanding Business Woman of the Year Winners will be announced at the Gala Awards Ceremony and will spend the twelve months post celebrating their achievements and becoming an Ambassador of the SCBWN.
As a winner you will be asked to:
- Attend a minimum of four (4) SCBWN functions in 2026/2027
- Be available for your Category Sponsor for media opportunities
- Participant in a SCBWN function usually held in September
- Assist with various 2027 awards activities
- Attend the 2027 Purple Room event
- Attend the 2027 Gala Awards Ceremony to present the 2027 recipient with their Award
Contact Information:
The SCBWN is honoured to have your involvement in the 2025 Business Woman of the Year Awards. These Awards maintain their credibility in the Sunshine Coast community because of the integrity of process.
A Judging Chair is appointed to guide this process and maintain the integrity, credibility and prestige of these Awards for all past, future and current Awards holders. The 2026 Awards Judging Chair is Renee Cooper.
As Judging Chair, Renee is available to answer any questions you may have and assist you throughout this exciting and rewarding process. If you wish to contact Renee at any point, please do not hesitate to do so.
Renee Cooper
Awards Judging Chair
Sunshine Coast Business Women’s Network Business Woman of the Year Awards
