The Illawarra Women in Business (IWIB) have officially revealed the 52 finalists for the 2026 IWIB Business Women's Awards, following an overwhelming number of applications. Each submission was carefully reviewed and assessed on its individual merits, culminating in a celebration of the region's most accomplished businesswomen.
Glenda Papac, director of Illawarra Women in Business, expressed pride in the finalists, stating, "IWIB are proud to announce the 2026 finalists, who are all hardworking entrepreneurs that have created outstanding businesses, helping to contribute to the growth and vibrancy of the Illawarra."
Full List of 2026 Finalists
The finalists span a wide array of industries, from cleaning and conveyancing to dance studios and wildlife parks. The complete list includes:
- Rachael White - 360 Cleaning and Maintenance
- Lauren Buhagiar - Active Property Conveyancing
- Kate Hammond - AJK Events Management
- Emma Lawrence - Always Education
- Simone Potter - Bush Magic Adventure Therapy
- Natasha Panetta - Busy Goddess Marketing Co
- Sophie Smith - City Coast Services
- Sally Ratajkoska - Essential Care
- Jessie Alice Chivele - EverCircle
- Bianca Hunt - FLW Connect
- Christine Dekker - Graceful Steps Dance Emporium
- Tegan Hands - Hands Studio Home and Landscape Design
- Karla Smeaton - Harper Finance
- Anna Vlasoff - Hello Petal Flowers
- Gabby Daymond - HerHR Pty Ltd
- Cushla Tiananga - Illawarra Angels
- Samantha Ruggeri - Illawarra Shoalhaven Nursing Care
- Dr Meghan Dares - Joint Vision Orthopaedic Group
- Karen Hendriks - Little Shell Books
- Kellie Pearce - Kellie Bellies Laughter
- Laura Cajar - Lighthouse Home Loans
- Shaz Harrison - Need A Feed
- Nardia Guillaumier - NEG Photography
- Natalie Pendergast - NM Entertainment
- Rachael Jones - Noir Tee
- Charlotte Adams - Obtain Social
- Simi Thomas Akkattayil - Olive Care Disability Services
- Kylie Montgomery - One Cake Down
- Amanda Collins - Physiohealth Corrimal
- Kylie Moffitt - Physiohealth Corrimal
- Cheryl Wilson - Polished Business
- Kimberly Beadle - Polished Business
- Angela Crawford - Queen of the Cove
- Rachel Lee - Scribbly Gum Photography
- Brodie Meney - Symbio Wildlife Park
- Mandy Drain - Taylor Made Outcomes
- Teagan Underwood - Teagan TravelManagers
- Sharna Mahanidis - The Illawarra Dance Academy
- Nikki Aitchison - The Illawarra Hotel
- Carolyn Dews - The Immune Deficiencies Foundation of Australia
- Brittany Doyle - The Industry Performing Arts Studio
- Ally Thomas - Thirroul + Co and Malia the Label
- Karlie Zec - Tiny Tins
- Rebecca Woods - Wallawa Traffic Group
- Tash Hedges - Wallawa Traffic Group
- Allison Gaynor and Catherine Douglas - Water Walkies
- Caroline Merton - Webb Financial Pty Ltd
- Lisa Krueger - Webb Financial Pty Ltd
- Yingying Cao - Webb Financial Pty Ltd
- Orlane Mortimer - Wollongong Crane Trucks
- Laura Struys - Wollongong Women
- Michelle Glasgow - Women Illawarra
Judges Praise Exceptional Finalists
Two long-standing judges, Margaret Biggs (ambassador for Healthy Cities Illawarra) and Virginia Wren (ITeC Academy), who have served on the panel since the awards began in 2009, commended this year's cohort. Margaret remarked, "It was wonderful to see so many women exceeding in such diverse businesses and as always it is so gratifying to see so many incredibly innovative businesses while also providing jobs for local people."
Virginia noted particular admiration for the IWIB Young Business Woman of the Year category, stating, "The 2026 finalists were an inspirational group of young women each excelling in their own fields, making the task of judging another difficult one."
The awards continue to highlight the remarkable contributions of women in business across the Illawarra region, celebrating their achievements and the positive impact they have on the local economy and community.
