A total of 238 finalists have been shortlisted across 27 categories for the 10th annual Women in Finance Awards 2026.
For the past decade, the prestigious national awards program has been hosted by Momentum Media’s financial services brands to recognise the outstanding contributions made by women across banking, broking, accounting, financial planning, fintech, and legal services while also celebrating companies leading diversity and inclusion initiatives.
The Women in Finance Awards 2026 program features 22 individual categories alongside five group categories.
The finalists this year include female mortgage and commercial finance brokers, accountants, auditors, bookkeepers, financial planners, SMSF advisers, technology leaders, and legal professionals.
Several brokers have been shortlisted for their achievements this year, including 10 finalists named in the Mortgage Broker of the Year category and five recognised in the Commercial Finance Broker of the Year category.
Finalists shortlisted in the Mortgage Broker of the Year category include:
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Helen Avis – Specialist Mortgage
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Dana Blewitt – The Lenders Club
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Catherine Gandy – Madd Loans
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Kristina Louise – Freedom Investment Lending
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Melissa Procajlo – Pro Good Finance
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Sally Prowse – Sandcastle Property and Finance
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Deslie Taylor – Mortgage Choice Ormeau & Yarrabilba
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Stephanie Thomas – Loan Market Ignite
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Katie Thomas – Focus Finance
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Janine Wade – Ikaya.
The finalists for the Commercial Finance Broker of the Year category include:
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Sheleila D'Paiva – ICS Business & Finance
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Maisie Fern – Valiant Finance
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Semiha Karatas – Bonomi Finance
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Alice Kol – Talk To A Broker
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Julia Paton – Go For Broker.
You can find out all the finalists of the Women in Finance Awards 2026 here.
The finalists were chosen following a rigorous review process by an independent panel of expert judges, evaluating both quantitative and qualitative benchmarks including growth, leadership, innovation, and industry impact.
This year’s winners will be crowned at a black-tie gala ceremony on Friday, 13 November 2026, at the Hyatt Regency in Sydney, where the highest-scoring individual recipient will also take home the overall Excellence Award.
Recognising excellence across the spectrum
Announcing the finalists, Momentum Media’s managing editor of mortgages, Annie Kane, congratulated all 238 shortlisted contenders, noting the vital role financial services professionals have played over the past 12 months.
“The past year has been one of economic change – with rising interest rates and a shifting tax environment leading many Australians to reconsider their financial plans and engage a professional to help them make sense of what is to come,” she said.
“From mortgage and finance brokers to accountants, financial planners, and fintech service providers, the finalists of the Women in Finance Awards 2026 have provided invaluable expertise and guidance to Australians when they needed it most.
“The women in this year’s awards program are exemplary professionals working hard to make their mark in a male-dominated environment.”
Since launching in 2016, the program has served as an important platform for elevating female leaders, driving career advancement, and aiding talent retention for progressive organisations.
[Related: Turia Pitt to keynote Women in Finance Summit 2026]
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