State Finalists - Accelerating Women

Allara Support Services offers a range of comprehensive and personalised disability support options, including supported independent living, daily living assistance, community participation, and skill development. Led by Chief Empowerment Officer, Rachel Carey, Allara Support Services is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for individuals living with disabilities.

Ellect, founded by Sandra D'Souza, is a platform that strives to advance women into leadership and board roles. Through accreditation programs such as Ellect Stars and its Career Accelerator Program, and Ellect Women events, Ellect aims to create a world where everyone, regardless of gender or identity, has the opportunity to reach their full potential.

Established in 2017 by Chris Jones, LIVEfree PROJECT is a not-for-profit organisation empowering and supporting vulnerable populations through holistic support services including mental health, education, and crisis intervention. LIVEfree PROJECT aims to break the cycle of disadvantage by focussing on long-term empowerment over dependency, equipping individuals with the tools they need to succeed.

Founded in 2004 by Lisa George, Momentum OT provides Occupational Therapy services to those who have lost their independence due to injury or illness. Offering patients a compassionate approach, Momentum OT helps them to regain independence, choice, control, and dignity.

Nicole Schmitz Leadership Coaching (NSLC) is a Sydney-based digital business that provides leadership development services to senior corporate executives and entrepreneurs in technology and finance. Founded in 2021, NSLC’s unique Leadership X-Factor Mastery Program focuses on leadership soft skills, empowering professionals to become influential thought-leaders and drive business growth.

Ikuntji Artists is a not-for-profit organisation established in 1992. Originally a women’s centre, its focus changed in 2005 to support local Aboriginal artists and foster Anangu culture. Specialising in canvas, fabrics and jewellery, Ikuntji Artists collaborates globally to exhibit more than 40 artists’ work in museums and on fashion runways worldwide.

CAKE offers flexible professional services through a network of over 160 skilled stay-at-home parents. Specialising in business consulting, strategy, and marketing, CAKE provides tailored, end-to-end solutions for its clients while supporting and leveraging the expertise of Australian families and businesses.  

Founded in 2022, Smith & Co, a recruitment agency based in Southeast Queensland, is driven by the vision to provide employment solutions to blue collar companies and workers across Southeast Queensland, Victoria and New South Wales. The agency aims to provide a supportive environment for its team to thrive in their careers and positively impact the community through various charitable events.

The Laundry Lady delivers timely and quality laundry services at the click of a button. Its flexible, independent contractor model empowers women and supports work-life balance. Launched in 2012, the laundry service now operates in Australia and New Zealand, with over 300 contractors and pioneering digital innovations like TimeBoss.

The yLead Association, led by Chief Executive Officer Zoe Meredith-Brown, empowers youth across Australia and New Zealand with transformative leadership programs. Established in 1989, yLead offers workshops, mentorship, and conferences to build leadership skills and resilience. Their holistic, experiential approach helps young people unlock their potential and lead with impact.

Adelaide Mums and Babies Clinic adopts an evidence based approach to provide expert care in breastfeeding, pediatrics, and women’s health. Established in 2018, the clinic provides comprehensive, empathetic care using Neuroprotective Developmental Care (NDC), along with parenting classes and support groups.

Al.ive body, founded by twins Alisa and Lysandra Fraser, offers eco-friendly, stylish personal and home care products. Combining the founders’ interior design background with sustainability, Al.ive’s growing product range contains high-quality ingredients and innovative packaging to elevate everyday experiences with luxurious yet eco-conscious products.

Founded in 2014 by Merrily Hunter, MAC Trade Services reduces fossil fuel dependence by retrofitting homes and businesses with energy-efficient appliances and clean energy solutions like lighting upgrades, EV charging stations, and Virtual Power Plant connections. They help communities lower their carbon footprint through accessible energy efficiency.

Oranje Creative is a female-led, full-service advertising agency. Founded by Melinda Parent, the agency uses innovation and creativity to answer the needs of today's dynamic communications landscape while providing a voice and visibility to women in advertising. Oranje Creative has provided over $2bn worth of pro bono work to women in business, single mothers, start-ups and both for-profit and not-for-profit organisations. 

Headquartered in Hobart, Heyday is a medicinal cannabis company that aims to evolve healthcare by empowering patients with a new approach to better health. The business offers unique treatments prescribed by over 380 professionals across Australia and supports more than 6,000 patients. Founded by Dr. Jim Connell and Phoebe Macleod, Heyday prides itself on innovation, patient care, and sustainable cannabis medicine.

Leven River Cruises specialises in river cruises and creates unforgettable moments along Tasmania's beautiful Leven River. 

Whether it's a tranquil scenic cruise or an exciting wildlife encounter, each voyage is meticulously planned with attention to detail and a commitment to customer satisfaction.

Motherland actively improves mental health and resilience for rural Australian mothers. The charity combats isolation by offering online support, a scholarship fund, the Motherland Village program, and community connections through events, ensuring rural mums receive the care and advocacy they need.

With a belief that fashion should be both beautiful and meaningful, Romy is a fashion label that blends contemporary art with fashion, creating sustainable, limited-edition collections. Romy's dedicated team in Hobart supports local talent and is rapidly expanding, gaining recognition in the Australian fashion industry and making strides into the US market.

The Board Coaching Institute, founded by Sally Parrish, provides a carefully curated program of online self-paced learning, group masterclasses, community engagement and private coaching to new and existing Directors in Australia. With a focus on women and under-represented groups, The Board Coaching Institute aims to foster a diverse board landscape.

Founded in 2005, Fitted for Work empowers women in Australia by improving their job-readiness and economic independence. The organisation offers holistic support including resume help, personal styling and mentoring. Serving over 45,000 women nationally since its inception, its inclusive programs boost confidence and employment skills, promoting workforce participation and long-term economic security.

Green Hip was founded by Olivia Thwaites in 2010 to provide women with stylish and functional workwear. Green Hip’s innovative garment designs, now stocked in more than 100 retail stores, ensure women can wear clothing that fits well, looks good, and allows them to perform their jobs efficiently and safely.

With an aim to bridge gaps in emergency response, Nikki Jurcutz and Rachael Waia founded HERO to provide a unique approach to first-aid training in Australia. The organisation offers personalised, interactive learning designed to pique interest in a new way of learning first aid. Combining engaging online modules and state-of-the-art simulations, HERO empowers individuals across all industries to become confident first responders.

Founded in 2023 by Dr. Amber Hart, Maternal and Infant Wellbeing Melbourne advocates for consistent postnatal care through its multidisciplinary approach. Offering coordinated support in a luxurious environment including a unique Breastfeeding Day Stay Experience, the service provides comprehensive, preventative care for women and children, focusing on education, mental health, and holistic wellness.

Lucinda's Everlastings specialises in high-quality, eco-friendly everlasting seeds that transform spaces into floral displays. The business prioritises sustainability and preserving nature by promoting bee populations and offering water-wise solutions to clients. Their team of specialists ensure a memorable experience for gardening enthusiasts and eco-conscious buyers.

Menopause Friendly Australia empowers women by addressing menopause's impact in the workplace. Founded by Grace Molloy, it provides CPD-accredited training to create supportive environments, helping employers retain experienced women. Its programs ensure open conversations and effective policies, aiming to reduce gender disparities in leadership and retirement outcomes.

PDC Health Hub by Perth Diabetes Care, established in 2015, has grown from 3 staff to over 30, serving 9 locations across Western Australia. Led by Teresa Di Franco, the multidisciplinary team delivers integrated, personalised diabetes care. PDC is committed to health equity, advancing access to technology and advocating for systemic improvements.

The Pregnancy to Parenthood Clinic (P2P) is a community-based early intervention service for families facing emotional challenges during the transition to parenthood. Providing free support from pregnancy through the child's second year, P2P strengthens emotional wellbeing and nurtures parent-infant relationships, ensuring every child and family thrives from the start.

After overcoming her own grey area drinking, Sarah Rusbatch is now a Grey Area Drinking Coach offering support to Australians to change their relationship with alcohol. Sarah offers impactful alcohol-free programs with a local and international client base. Since 2021, Sarah has supported thousands through workshops, media features, and her bestselling book, "Beyond Booze."