'Celebrating courage': awards to recognise women who have weathered highs and lows

The region’s best women in business will be celebrated at the 23rd annual Sunshine Coast Business Women’s Network Awards.

Sunshine Coast News is once again proud to be the media partner for the event, which has attracted the best of the best across four categories, including Young, Corporate, Micro Small and Professional.

In addition, one finalist will be named the 2022 Outstanding Business Woman of the Year from the full list of finalists, as well as a Sustainable Business Woman of the Year.

From 205 nominations, 55 submissions were received for this year’s awards. They were assessed by a panel of four judges to determine 26 finalists.

The finalists face two separate panels of judges, who examine entrants’ written submissions and conduct face-to-face interviews.

Finally, the judges come together to select the Outstanding Business Woman of the Year.

This woman is removed from the judging pool and the judges combine the scores of the remaining finalists to produce the five category winners.

All judges’ scores are submitted independently as part of this process.

SCBWN president Min Swan said the network was excited to hold its long-standing awards and celebrate women in business.

“I have personally witnessed story upon story of life-changing moments these awards have delivered and the long-lasting friendships and business connections that have formed through the process,” Ms Swan said.

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“I love that we celebrate the highs and lows of business and celebrate the courage of the entrants to come forward and recognise their dedication and commitment to their careers and businesses.

“Each year, we discover new people that we shine a light on and often hear of how life-changing the experience is for them.”

The winners will be announced at a gala event at The Events Centre in Caloundra on Thursday, August 4.

Keep following Sunshine Coast News and sister publication My Weekly Preview as we feature the winners and their outstanding achievements.

Finalists

Corporate

• Simone Burke, Lavender Co.
• Kara de Schot, Pixel Co Creative & Marketing.
• Amelia Dickison, CaptureCARE.
• Paula Gowland, Sunshine Coast Art and Framing Gallery.
• Nichole Hamilton, Synergy Physio.
• Susan Toft, The Laundry Lady.

Micro small 

• Nikki Fogden-Moore, The Mojo Maker.
• Beverley Henderson, Mediderm Medical Aesthetics.
• Renee Jarrett, Daisy Cakes and Bakes.
• Leigh Kuryj, The Numbers Biz.
• Jaya McIntyre, Empire Art Photography.
• Kate Ogg, Oggy E-Scooters.
• Kellie Simkin, Sundaise Group.
• Hayley Waylett, Chapter Two Interiors.

Professional

• Lauren Applegate, Envestnet | Yodlee.
• Lee Banfield, Coast2Bay Housing Group.
• Tanya Bell, Youturn Youth Support.
• Tamara Bonamy, Youi Insurance.
• Natasha Hall, Sunshine Coast Airport.
• Shanagh Jacobs, Sunshine Coast Council.
• Emma Shepherd, Dolphin Plastics & Packaging.

Young

• Bronte Cresswell, Dash of Milk/Dash Academy.
• Summer Miller, Youi Insurance.
• Claire O’Shea, Dance Energy Studios.
• Emma Sparrow, Sparo Studios.
• Katie Johnston, Eats – Meals That Matter.

Sustainable

Finalists in this category have been chosen from the full list of finalists

• Emma Shepherd, Dolphin Plastics & Packaging.
• Hayley Waylett, Chapter Two Interiors.
• Kate Ogg, Oggy E-Scooters.
• Paula Gowland, Sunshine Coast Art and Framing Gallery.
• Susan Toft, The Laundry Lady.