The CEO Magazine, in partnership with Commonwealth Bank, is proud to announce the finalists for the Women in Leadership Awards 2026. This year’s finalists represent 40 of Australia’s most exceptional senior women leaders, each recognized for their measurable impact across business, community and industry over the past 12 months.

From C-suite executives and founders to senior leaders driving transformation within major organizations, this cohort reflects the depth, strength and influence of women shaping Australia’s leadership landscape today.

Selected following a rigorous review process by independent senior judges, each finalist has been assessed on leadership excellence, demonstrated impact and contribution to their organization and industry.

2026 FINALISTS

ANNA HARRISON
Founder & CEO
RAMMP

ANNE MAREE TONKIN
Lecturer & Advocate
TAFE SA

ARABELLA GIBSON
CEO
Gidget Foundation Australia

BELINDA VASSALLO
Co-Founder & CEO
AgriCurex

CASSANDRA SPIES
Founder & CEO
Twisted Healthy Treats

CECILY MCGUCKIN
CEO & Managing Director
Queensland Steel & Sheet

CHRISTINE KANKKUNEN
Founder & Managing Director
Pivot Freight Solutions

CYNTHIA PAYNE
Founder & Managing Director
Anchor Impact Group

DIANNE SHEPHERD
CEO & Managing Director
Homesafe Wealth Release

FIONA YANG
Co-Founder
Plus Agency

HEATHER MCLELLAN-JOHNSON
Founder & CEO
‘Medical On’ Group

JACINE DRUMMOND
Founding Chief Cosmetic Chemist & CEO
Roccoco Botanicals

JANE MCNALLY
Executive Chair
By Charlotte

JUDY SAHAY
CEO & Managing Director
Crowd Media Group

JULIE OCKERBY
Director – Design Strategy & Client Relations
WMK Architecture

JULIE TOMA
Non-Executive Director & Chair Strategy Committee
Western NSW Primary Health Network

KIM ALLEN
CEO
CRA Construction

KIMBERLEY JONSSON
CEO
CHU Underwriting Agencies

LAURA COWELL
Group CEO
Tender Loving Care

LAURA GOLDBERG
COO
Hurricane’s Grill

MAIREAD BREEN
Executive General Manager
FSC Civils

MALINI RAJ
Executive Director
Australian Multicultural Women’s Alliance

MICHELLE ROMERO
Founder & CEO
Altura Health

MONICA BEAZLEY
Founder
Monarch Management

NATALIE SHARPE
CEO
Oliver’s

PAMELA JABBOUR
Founder & CEO
Total Image Group

PATIMA TANTIPRASUT
CEO & Managing Director
PetRescue

PREETI KHILLAN
Director & COO
Western Specialist Centre

RAJ NARAYAN
Founder & CEO
Emajin Golf

RENEE THORNTON
CEO
Rehab Management

ROCHELLE COURTENAY
Founder & Managing Director
Share The Dignity

ROSIE LANCASTER
Co-Founder
Renew IT

RUTH HIRST
Co-Founder & Director
Synergy Effect

SALLY EAGLE
CEO
Are Media

SLOANE ANTONACCI
Co-Owner
Teeny Tiny Homes

SONIA MAJKIC
CEO
3 Phase Marketing

SUSAN TOFT
Founder & CEO
The Laundry Lady

TANNYA STEVENS
CEO
Meditrax

TARYN WILLIAMS
Board Member & Chair Finance Audit Risk Committee
Next25

TIFFANY ENGLISH
Founder & CEO
Access Offshoring

A CELEBRATION OF MODERN LEADERSHIP

Finalists will be recognized at a premium leadership gathering at The Calyx, Sydney on Thursday, 30 July 2026, bringing together Australia’s most influential women in business, alongside those who’ll be there to support, connect with and celebrate them.

This signature event is designed as both a recognition platform and a national leadership experience.

During the inspiring afternoon, guests will hear from respected leaders, participate in a keynote session with Colleen Callander on The Power of Confidence and connect with senior executives, founders and industry changemakers from across the country.

A select group of event partners, including Papa Salt, Imbibe, Calabria Wines and Simply Seated, will help shape a premium event experience designed for connection, celebration and leadership.

The highlight of the afternoon will be the live recognition of the Women in Leadership Awards 2026 finalists.

JOIN THE CELEBRATION

Tickets are now available for the Women in Leadership Awards 2026 at The Calyx, Sydney on Thursday, 30 July 2026.

Whether attending to support a finalist, connect with Australia’s leading women in business or experience a premium leadership gathering, guests are invited to be part of this national celebration of leadership excellence.

Purchase your tickets here.

ABOUT THE AWARDS

The Women in Leadership Awards recognize senior women who are driving meaningful change within their organizations and industries. Applicants were assessed on:

• senior leadership influence (CEO, founder, managing director or equivalent)
• organizational or industry impact
• measurable outcomes achieved over the past 12 months
  

CONGRATULATIONS

We extend our congratulations to all finalists and acknowledge the extraordinary caliber of submissions received this year. The Women in Leadership Awards continue to reflect the strength, ambition and impact of women leading across Australia.