Now in their 5th year, the SA Woman Awards are designed to celebrate the achievements of women in business and careers from right across South Australia.
From start-ups to employees to major businesses, our award categories recognise women who are excelling at all different stages of their business and career journey. Women in all industries, businesses sizes and locations. Women of all backgrounds, family dynamic, colour, cultures and experience.
On the 24th of September, at the Adelaide Convention Centre, with over 500 women and men in attendance we announced our People’s Choice Recipients and our Category Winners. The cheers and celebrations created a vibe and energy like no other!
We are honoured to introduce you to our 2022 Winners and Finalists below! Would you like to know more about them? Have a read of our Special Awards Edition of SOAR Magazine!
To find out more about the SA Woman Awards Click HERE.
A huge thank you to our Major Partners of the 2022 SA Woman Awards
The Rise Award (Business Under $200k turnover, 2+ years in business)
PROUDLY SPONSORED BY: Simaru True Care
For a woman who has had a year of growth in their business (including but not limited to financial, staff, location etc) – UNDER $200k turnover, 2+ years in business.
CATEGORY WINNER
Amanda Gauci – Infinite Flow
PEOPLE’S CHOICE
Jade Leray – Beautiful Bodies Society
FINALISTS:
- Suzi Evans – KAIZEN Business Support
- Sheree Bowman – TS Environmental Consulting
- Kathryn Dean – Dean Family Real Estate
The Soar Award (Business over $200k turnover, 2+ years in business)
PROUDLY SPONSORED BY: The Carers Place
For a woman who has had a year of growth in their business (including but not limited to financial, staff, location etc) – OVER $200k turnover, 2+ years in business.
CATEGORY WINNER
Barbara Lightburn – My Ability Pathway
PEOPLE’S CHOICE
Alyssa De Cristofaro – Silk Laser Clinics West Lakes
FINALISTS:
- Kim Raffen – Dripclub
- Lauren Layley – Strathalbyn Amcal Pharmacy
- Leah Bubner – Basic Trailers
- Olivia Jenkins – Olivia Jenkins Consulting
The Emerging SA Woman Award
PROUDLY SPONSORED BY: The Picnic Tribe
For a woman with a business under 2 years old or in a Career for less than 2 years and has shown strength, courage and a determination to excel.
CATEGORY WINNER
Fiona Shilton – Your Estate Lawyer
PEOPLE’S CHOICE
Ali Cooper – The Park Jamestown
FINALISTS:
- Elise Lavers – Enliven Outdoor Adventures
- Katie Cross – SA Health (Gawler Hospital Renal Department)
The First Nations SA Woman Award
PROUDLY SPONSORED BY: Robyn Verall
For an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander woman who has had a year of growth in their business (for both new or established businesses) or career.
CATEGORY WINNER
De Greer-Yindimincarlie – Yindi Artz
PEOPLE’S CHOICE
Nicole Gollan – Nik&Co. Consultancy
FINALISTS:
- Bianca Stawiarski – Warida Wholistic Wellness
- Amanda Westley – Amanda Indigenous Artist
The Regional SA Woman Award
PROUDLY SPONSORED BY: Beaumont Solutions
For a regional woman who has created a thriving business/career and is an advocate for her community.
CATEGORY WINNER
Helly Easther-Smith – Country Getaways Holiday Rentals
PEOPLE’S CHOICE
Emma Gale – Mentally Fit EP
FINALISTS:
- Kalsey-Anne Fear – Riverland Veterinary Practice
- Stacey Phelan – Commercial Hotel Strathalbyn
- Sarah-Jane Abley – Kiminnes Pty Ltd
- Sharni-Marie Barney – Forj Marketing
The Heart Award
PROUDLY SPONSORED BY: Resolution SA
For an organisation that has at it’s heart the needs of women in their local community (eg. Social enterprise/not for profit/community organisation).
CATEGORY WINNER
Workshop26
PEOPLE’S CHOICE
Image Shift
FINALISTS:
The Young SA Woman Award
PROUDLY SPONSORED BY: Coosh & Co.
For a woman under 30 (as at 1 July 2022) who has started her own business and shown personal growth, tenacity, determination and an entrepreneurial spirit.
CATEGORY WINNER
Taylah Suridge – La Strand Hair and Body
PEOPLE’S CHOICE
Emma Hackett – Emma Hackett Design + The Conscious Customer Co
FINALISTS:
- Taydam Knowles – The Adelaide Set
- Shaona Imaru – Simaru True Care
The SA Woman Disability Award
PROUDLY SPONSORED BY: The Growing Space
For a disabled woman in business or career who has created a growing business or thriving career, and contributes to the positive conversation about disabled people at work (through deliberate campaigns or simply by leading through example).
CATEGORY WINNER
Lauren Spear – The Orange Butterfly
PEOPLE’S CHOIC
Tammie Lee – Sunny Spectrum Supports
FINALISTS
- Bianca Luraschi – Bright Star Support Services SA
The Backbone Award
PROUDLY SPONSORED BY: Judith Jordan Family and Collaborative Lawyer
For a woman who is the backbone of the family business or place of employment. Recognising the valuable contributions of women – even if they aren’t the listed business owner, because without them the business would not run nor operate as smoothly.
CATEGORY WINNER
Deirdre Flynn – Catherine House
PEOPLE’S CHOICE
Leanne Hopkins – Moonta Garden & Landscape Supplies
FINALISTS:
- Simone Ridge-Cooke – The Hospital Research Foundation Group – Parkinson’s
- Meredith Waterhouse – Digital Marketing AOK
- Stella Ferreira – Just Living Pty Ltd
- Mel Spehr – Aluminium Plus
The Mum in Business Award
PROUDLY SPONSORED BY: Melvory
For a woman who is juggling motherhood and business and shown great growth in their business in the last 12 months.
CATEGORY WINNER
Michelle Majder – Workforce Extensions North Adelaide Health
PEOPLE’S CHOICE
Tegan Radloff – MyClayCo
FINALISTS:
- Katie Bode – Bebe Luxe
- Sian Burton – Lotus Consulting
- Sally Harding – KX Pilates Christies Beach
The Leadership Award
PROUDLY SPONSORED BY: Mansfield & Co Recruitment
For a woman who has demonstrated exceptional leadership, overcome challenges, shown determination and exemplified team spirit – in a business or organisation.
CATEGORY WINNER
Simone Douglas – The Duke of Brunswick Hotel
PEOPLE’S CHOICE
Casey Annetts – NAB
FINALISTS:
- Yvonne Sears – ISD Cyber
- Madhumita Mazumdar – Journey Beyond
The Empower Award
PROUDLY SPONSORED BY: Ethical Invest Group
To recognise an organisation that has created a workplace environment that empowers women within its workforce to thrive and excel on their career path.
CATEGORY WINNER
Embellish Beauty Therapy
PEOPLE’S CHOICE
Melvory
FINALISTS:
- Adelaide Property Brokers
- Hub Gymnastics Club
- YLP Legal – Your Legal Partner
- Chat Well Allied Health
The Shine Award
PROUDLY SPONSORED BY: Carly Jane Creative + She Nurtures
For a woman who is pursuing excellence in her chosen career. Who has overcome challenges to continue to pave their own path towards a career that they are thriving in.
CATEGORY WINNER
Samantha Papavasiliou – Australian Taxation Office
PEOPLE’S CHOICE
Melissa Ekberg – Civil Contractors Federation SA
FINALISTS:
- Colleen Luck – ElectraNet Pty Ltd
- Bianca Pilla – JBI – The University of Adelaide
- Kelly Brealey – Soldier On Australia