Why 2026 could be the year of introvert energy

Imagine a young woman sitting at the back of a lecture hall, or perhaps she is hunched over a laptop in a quiet corner of a bustling start-up. She has brilliance in her bones, but she’s always felt like a bit of a misfit in the world of business. To her, the word “CEO” has always sounded like a shout and she’s always preferred a whisper. She sees the glitz and glamour of nights like the annual IMAGE PwC Businesswoman of the Year Awards and thinks, “That’s for them. Not for someone like me.”

But one year, she decides to push herself out of her comfort zone and attend the awards, to feel the inspirational vibe she has heard so much about. The awards have only kicked off when she watches a woman walk through the room and onto the stage. She is someone who doesn’t command the room with a roar, but with a grounded, steady presence. She hears this winner speak about the sanctuary of a laboratory, the complexity of her data-informed work or the power of deep, silent empathy. 

In that moment, the misfit sees a mirror. 

Beyond the girlboss archetype

With applications still open for the 2026 IMAGE PwC Businesswoman of the Year Awards, we are looking for the architects of change who often go unnoticed. Susan Cain, author of Quiet, reminds us that “There’s no correlation between being the best talker and having the best ideas.” As we often see in our alumni of winners, “quiet leaders” show us that introvert energy is, indeed, a high-octane fuel.

The concept of quiet power can be very evident in the technical trenches of STEM. Take Jacqui O’Connor, our 2025 STEM Professional of the Year. As the founder and CEO of MedScan3D, Jacqui’s leadership is defined by the precise, life-saving intersection of healthcare and engineering. 

Jacqui reminds us that the most profound breakthroughs aren’t found in the noise, but in the stillness of deep work. “In STEM, you spend a lot of time in the quiet spaces, analysing, testing and failing until you find the solution,” she says. “You have to be comfortable with that silence to get to the breakthrough.”

Her journey is a masterclass in the power of “just starting.” “I didn’t start with a massive master plan,” Jacqui admits. “I started with a problem that needed solving. If you wait until you feel ‘loud’ enough or ‘ready’ enough, you’ll never start.” It’s a sentiment echoed by Karen May of XOCEAN, whose quiet, steady optimism has navigated the complex waters of ocean data.

Power of neurodiversity 

Though communication is important, true leadership isn’t just about how we speak; it’s about how our brains solve the puzzles others miss. Emma Maye, Overall Businesswoman of the Year winner in 2024 and CEO of Ardale, has spoken with such refreshing candour about her journey with dyslexia, proving that “standard” ways of leading are not the only ways to reach the top. Alongside Dairine Kennedy, co-founder of Neurodiversity Ireland and Social Entrepreneur of the Year 2024, these women remind us all that our differences, the way we process, see and feel the world, can be our greatest competitive advantages. 

When a quiet leader with dyslexia or ADHD takes centre stage, she isn’t just accepting a trophy; she is giving permission to thousands of other women to proudly share how their minds work.

Doing it on your terms

To the woman reading this who thinks she is “too quiet,” “too different”, or “not loud enough” to apply: your quietness is your superpower. We aren’t looking for the person who can shout the loudest on the shortlist or on stage in the RDS on May 15th. We are looking for the woman who has built something meaningful, who has led with integrity and who has solved problems with empathy and professional kindness. 

By applying, you aren’t just seeking an award; you are becoming that “mirror” for the next generation. As Jacqui O’Connor beautifully put it: “Winning this award isn’t about my ego; it’s about showing the next girl in a lab coat that her technical skills are exactly what leadership looks like.”

IMAGE PwC Businesswoman of the Year Awards 2026

Closing date for applications: Monday, March 16 at 5pm

Awards Ceremony: Friday, May 15, 2026, from 6pm until late

Where: The Main Hall, RDS

Dress Code

Black Tie

Tickets

Tickets are available now through Eventbrite below, or by emailing our events team at events@image.ie.

Each ticket includes 

• Welcome drinks reception and opportunity to network with Ireland’s leaders in business
• Delicious four-course dinner including wine
• Luxurious gift bag
• Special musical performance
• Opportunity to win fantastic prizes

IMAGE Business Club members have access to one special rate ticket at €385 ex. VAT, available by emailing events@image.ie. Special rate tickets are strictly limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Join the club today and get your discounted ticket. 

For event terms and conditions and the booking policy, please visit HERE.

For judging criteria, please visit HERE.

If you would like to pay via invoice, please email events@image.ie.

For full category criteria and to begin your application, visit our Awards Hub.

Photography by Kieran Harnett