The winners of the 2026 Inspiring Women Awards have been announced and what an extraordinary celebration it was.

“There are rooms you walk out of and IMMEDIATELY want to tell someone about it. This was one of them, smile on my face – tears not far behind. The 2026 Inspiring Women Awards was everything it always is; emotional, powerful and a reminder that the women doing the most extraordinary things are often the least seen for it.” Emmelia Powell, PWS. 

Friday brought together 17 exceptional finalists, each sharing stories defined by courage, resilience and creativity. Whilst their achievements spanned different industries, experiences and ambitions, a common thread ran through every story: they saw something that needed to be done – and they took action.

Seven winners. Seven remarkable stories.

Lucy Hope – Entrepreneur Award Winner

Transforming women’s health, Lucy is replacing outdated menstrual products with clinically validated, microbiome-supportive technology. Her pioneering work includes the world’s first patented bioactive tampon designed to protect the vaginal microbiome during menstruation and help prevent bacterial vaginosis, a condition affecting one in three women globally. Lucy is helping reshape how women’s health is understood, prioritised and treated.

Lisa Harper – Third Quarter Women Award Winner

Lisa is demonstrating that life’s third quarter can become one of its most rewarding chapters, challenging perceptions and inspiring others to embrace new possibilities.

Kayla Tychsen – Women Making Waves Award Winner

After witnessing children lose everything, Kayla took action by building schools within refugee camps, creating not only opportunities for education but spaces of belonging and hope. Helping not just the children, but giving purpose to the educators involved.

Kerrie Rimmer – Community Award Winner

Honouring the memory of her miracle baby, Max, who was tragically lost in an accident. Kerrie transformed grief into purpose by bringing communities together through the creation of Max Trax.

Kat Keddie – Sustainability Award Winner

Kat established Europe’s first marketing agency dedicated exclusively to climate technology and adaptation, helping breakthrough innovations reach the investors, partners and audiences they need to scale meaningful change.

Iz Durose – Inspiring Young Woman Award Winner

Starting her business at just 19 years old, Iz transformed a passion for art into a thriving creative space where people from all walks of life can connect and create. Her work goes beyond teaching art – she uses creativity as a catalyst for social impact.

She Leads for Legacy – Here Come The Girls Award Winners

What makes She Leads for Legacy particularly unique is the intergenerational partnership at its heart. As a mother-and-daughter team, Sharon and Afiya Amesu combine experience, insight and fresh perspectives to demonstrate the power of collaboration across generations. Their work is building more than leadership – it is building legacy, transforming systems, amplifying underrepresented voices and creating pathways for long-term change.

Whilst we recognised seven outstanding winners, the heart of the Inspiring Women Awards remains the same – celebrating every finalist who courageously shared their stories with an engaged and appreciative audience.

Together, they reminded us that inspiration begins with action.

Read the full profiles of all 17 finalists here.

Pictured: Iz Durose, Lucy Hope, Lisa Harper & Sharon Amesu.