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CEO of the Year

These highly successful businesswomen occupy the position of Chief Executive Officer, or equivalent, in an Irish or international organisation with over 50 employees. They will have occupied their current role for at least two years and have a considerable career story and biography. They will be able to share measures of success, such as a significant contribution to company growth, expansion and success, regardless of business type, underpinned by commitment to diversity, inclusivity and corporate social responsibility, alongside exceptional leadership and management skills.

Creative Businesswoman of the Year

These women have forged a successful career in Ireland and/or overseas by pursuing their creative passions. Their areas of expertise may include, but are not limited to, animation, architecture, art, beauty, design, fashion, film, music, etc. Candidates for this award can be self-employed, part of an organisation or work on a consultancy basis. Applicants who are owners of their own businesses will be asked to provide business financials, as requested in the application forms.

Diversity & Inclusion Leader of the Year

Applicants will be spearheading the change agenda in their sector, corporate organisation or large-scale project. These women will have demonstrated how their leadership has ensured that workplace equality goes beyond policies and practices to leave a lasting legacy. In this category, we recognise achievement across all strands of diversity, such as, but not limited to, race, age, disability, gender identity and belief.

Entrepreneur of the Year

Applicants are switched-on entrepreneurial women with expert business acumen, who have developed an innovative idea (either a new product or service) from initial concept to commercial success. The business must be in operation, with filed accounts, for a minimum of three years. These women demonstrate a high propensity for risk, innovation and achievement, along with quantitative evidence of success and growth, across their entire career, with a specific focus on key milestones achieved within the past 12 months. Applicants must provide business financials, as requested in the application forms.

ESG Champion of the Year

This award recognises women who have successfully integrated environmental, social and governance (ESG) policies and evolved their overall business strategy to support the green economy and tackle environmental, social and governance risks in their business. Applicants will have not only the credentials but also the experience and tangible output to demonstrate their influence and expertise across the ESG agenda, an area in which they will have at least three years’ experience. Candidates for this award can be self-employed, part of an organisation, or work on a consultancy basis.

Emerging Executive of the Year

This award recognises women who are on a clear pathway to senior leadership, high potential professionals who operate with the mindset, influence and responsibilities expected of inspiring leaders whether in the private or public sphere. They should exhibit outstanding performance in their roles, with a clear capacity for future advancement in senior leadership. Key qualities include innovation, clear decision-making and the successful management of teams or projects. A focus on growth, resilience and a positive impact on their organisation or industry is essential.

They will have at least three years’ experience in their area, and/or at least two years’ experience with their current employer. Industry sectors considered within this category include private and public sector roles, including but not limited to financial services, fintech, aviation, pharma, life sciences, health, energy, utilities, technology, media, communications, property, construction and law.

Senior Executive of the Year

As a member of the executive leadership team or a director or head of function, these women demonstrate great expertise and flair for management and/or senior leadership within their sector (whether in the private or public sphere). They will have had a measurable impact on their sector/organisation or on public service delivery/policy, often finding innovative solutions to problems or overcoming significant systemic challenges. They will have at least 10 years of experience in their professional area, and at least two years’ experience with their current employer. Industry sectors considered within this category include, but are not limited to, financial services, fintech, aviation, pharma, life sciences, health, energy, utilities, technology, media, communications, property, construction, law, and the public sector.

Family Businesswoman of the Year

This award recognises outstanding women who demonstrate significant achievements in a family business. To be eligible, she will be a founder or hold a key leadership role in a business, to which she has a proven familial connection, and she will have been involved in it for at least two years. This category welcomes family businesses of all sizes and sectors and judges will be looking for women who can demonstrate how their skills, expertise, innovative thinking and values have contributed to the success of the business. Applicants must provide business financials, as requested in the application forms.

International Irish Businesswoman of the Year

The International Irish Businesswoman of the Year award recognises an exceptional female leader operating outside of the island of Ireland. This award celebrates established businesswomen who exemplify resilience, entrepreneurial spirit and outstanding leadership, driving business performance beyond Ireland’s borders. Applicants will have at least five years’ industry experience abroad and at least two years’ experience in their current organisation. They will be committed to using their personal values to benefit their region and/or organisation, supporting inclusivity and cross-cultural integration. These women will have a strong international network and have made a positive contribution to their local business ecosystem.

Social Entrepreneur of the Year – Charitable Organisation

The Charitable Organisation award will go to a woman who is using her industry knowledge, business acumen and expertise to deliver proven impact in Ireland and/or beyond within a charitable organisation. The result of her innovative strategy and leadership will be evident in the governance, accountability and financial stability of the organisation. These women will be operating in the voluntary or not-for-profit sectors and have occupied their current role for a minimum of two years. This category is open to all registered charities, non-governmental organisations, charitable foundations, community projects and/or social enterprises of any size in Ireland.

Social Entrepreneur of the Year – Community Impact

The Community Impact award will recognise a woman who is demonstrating impact on – or inspired by – a grassroots issue. She will be entrepreneurial, passionate and resourceful and driven by a desire to find a solution to a community need. She may be working solo or leading a team and be operating in the voluntary or not-for-profit sector for a minimum of two years on a paid or voluntary basis. This category is open to all registered charities, non-governmental organisations, charitable foundations, community projects and/or social enterprises of any size in Ireland.

Start-up Businesswoman of the Year

These enterprising businesswomen have demonstrated entrepreneurial prowess in identifying a niche in the market and establishing a start-up company on or after January 1, 2021. Applicants must have filed accounts for at least two years, with measures of success including percentage increase in turnover; innovation; and increased distribution channel. While judges will take particular note of the challenges that they have overcome to date, applications should also include evidence of the business’s potential growth and long-term viability. Applicants must provide business financials, as requested in the application forms.

STEM Professional of the Year

This award will recognise women operating in the worlds of science, technology, engineering and/or maths. Demonstrating innovation, passion and achievement, the winner stands out in her field; a game-changer in the 21st century who has at least three years’ industry experience. She may be an entrepreneur, founder or professional working at a senior level in the STEM world, with proven commercial and/or industry success to back up her achievements to date.

Young Businesswoman of the Year (Under 35)

These inspiring achievers have great vision and show huge promise in their sector. They have an impressive track record of success, including at least two years at the helm of their own business, and are aged under 35 on December 31, 2025. In order to qualify, they must have filed accounts for the business venture they enter for a minimum of two years. Applicants must provide business financials, as requested in the application forms.

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Siobhán Talbot, former group managing director, Glanbia Plc

OVERALL BUSINESSWOMAN of the Year

Aimee Connolly, CEO, Sculpted by Aimee

CEO of the Year

Carolan Lennon, country leader Salesforce Ireland, Salesforce

MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONAL of the Year (Senior Professional)

Aisling Teggart, executive vice president, global head of accounting and fund administration, State Street

MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONAL of the Year (Emerging Professional)

Leanne Brolly, vice president of Risk, Genesis Aircraft Leasing Services

FAMILY BUSINESSWOMAN of the Year

Ursula Kelly, managing director, Cormac Tagging

STEM PROFESSIONAL of the Year

Jacqui O’Connor, founder and CEO, MedScan3D

ENTREPRENEUR of the Year

Prof Caitriona Ryan and Prof Nicola Ralph, co-founders and consultant dermatologists, Institute of Dermatologists

START-UP of the Year

Laura Dowling, founder and CEO, fabÜ

YOUNG BUSINESSWOMAN of the Year

Nancy Costello, co-owner, The Belle Brush and owner, Belle Hair

CREATIVE BUSINESSWOMAN of the Year

Anna Guerin, director, The Landskein

DIVERSITY & INCLUSION LEADER of the Year

Jeanne McDonagh, CEO, The Open Doors Initiative

INTERNATIONAL IRISH BUSINESSWOMAN of the Year

Deirdre O’Neill, co-founder and chief commercial and legal officer, Hertility Health Ltd

ESG CHAMPION of the Year

Rosie O’Neill, director of sustainability, Ifac

SOCIAL ENTREPRENEUR of the Year – Community Impact

Eileen McHugh, founder and CEO, Hair Together CLG

SOCIAL ENTREPRENEUR of the Year – Charitable Organisation

Deirdre Mortell, CEO, Rethink Ireland