WiBF 2026 National Industry Awards

The ICC Grand Ballroom in Sydney was filled with energy, celebration and connection on Thursday 17 September as Women in Banking and Finance (WiBF) brought together professionals from across the sector for the WiBF 2026 National Industry Awards.

Returning to our much-loved luncheon format, guests enjoyed a beautiful sunny Sydney afternoon as we came together to recognise the remarkable people, leaders and organisations making a meaningful impact across Australia’s banking and finance industry.

Inside the ballroom, the room was transformed with beautiful red lighting in celebration of our main sponsor, NAB, creating a striking backdrop for the afternoon’s celebrations. Sponsored by NAB, the annual WiBF National Industry Awards is an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of our finalists and winners, while bringing together colleagues, friends, mentors, leaders and supporters from across the WiBF community.

Across 17 award categories, the 2026 Awards celebrated achievements spanning leadership, innovation, inclusion, technology, sustainability, mentoring and much more.

This year’s theme, Shaping Tomorrow Together, reflected the spirit of the afternoon: recognising the people creating change today while looking ahead to the future of our industry.

Celebrating the 2026 Award Winners

After months of nominations and judging, the moment everyone had been waiting for finally arrived as the 2026 winners were announced live from the ICC Grand Ballroom.

From emerging talent and innovative thinkers to inclusive leaders and industry specialists, this year’s winners represent the breadth of talent and contribution across our banking and finance community.

Congratulations to our WiBF 2026 National Industry Award Winners:

• WiBF Award for Achievement in Institutional, Corporate and Investment Banking: Jennifer Hellerud – RBC Capital Markets
• WiBF Rising Star Award: Zara Baxby – Jarden Group
• WiBF Award for Achievement in Retail Banking: Kali Jurkschat – Commonwealth Bank of Australia
• WiBF Award for Achievement in SME & Business Banking: Olivia Ellis – Macquarie Group
• WiBF Award for Achievement for Assets and Fund Management: Haley Devine – MaxCap
• WiBF Award for Achievement for EA/PA Role: Brede Frei – MA Financial Group
• WiBF Award for Achievement for Operations, Technology or Customer Support: Yvonne Kola – Capspace
• WiBF Award for Achievement in Professional Services: Ashleigh Pakis – Panache Financial
• WiBF Inclusive Workplace of the Year: Brigid Meagher – on behalf of Jarden Group
• WiBF ESG and Sustainability Initiative of the Year: Pauwla Rumli – on behalf of ING
• WiBF Award for Achievement in Corporate Affairs: Courtney Howe – Soul Patts
• WiBF Product or Technical Innovator Award: Ghi Paine – National Australia Bank
• WiBF Award for Achievement in Private Wealth and Superannuation: Nandita Alva – Lipman Burgon
• WiBF Inclusive Leader Award: Tracey Chung – Jarden Group
• WiBF Award for Achievement in Risk, Regulation & Compliance: Helen Schuler – Macquarie Group
• WiBF Mentor of the Year: Blair Wark – RBC Capital Markets
• WiBF Mental Health Champion Award: Alice Klontzaris – Commonwealth Bank of Australia

Every winner has a story of achievement, commitment and impact, and we were proud to give them a moment to celebrate those accomplishments alongside their colleagues, mentors, friends and supporters.

A New Voice for the WiBF Awards

This year, we were delighted to welcome a new MC to the WiBF National Industry Awards, Dr Louise Mahler, one of WiBF’s incredible program facilitators and the recipient of the 2021 WiBF Speaker of Excellence Award.

Louise brought her trademark gravitas, warmth and energy to the room, keeping guests engaged and creating excitement throughout the afternoon.

A highly regarded thought leader and speaker, Louise was also recognised among the Top 150 Thought Leaders in the 2026 Thinkers360 Awards and named a Top 50 Global Thought Leader in Leadership.

From guiding guests through the Awards celebrations to bringing energy and personality to every moment, Louise was a wonderful addition to this year’s event and helped set the tone for a memorable afternoon.

A Celebration of Our Finalists

While only one winner could be announced in each category, the calibre of this year’s finalists made it clear that there was plenty to celebrate.

With hundreds of nominations received across the 17 categories, the Awards provided an opportunity to shine a light on the people who are contributing to our industry in different ways every day.

Whether through leading teams, championing inclusion, developing new ideas, supporting customers, mentoring others or helping shape the future of banking and finance, each finalist has played a role in moving our industry forward.

Click here to read all of our 2026 Finalist nomination biographies.

Shaping Tomorrow Together

Throughout the afternoon, one message continued to come through: progress does not happen in isolation.

It happens through people who share ideas, back each other, open doors and create opportunities for others to grow.

The 2026 Awards were a celebration of those people and the contribution they make across our industry.

Bringing the Industry Together

The Awards are one of the biggest events on the WiBF calendar, bringing together leaders, colleagues, finalists, sponsors, members, friends and supporters from across banking and finance.

For many, the afternoon was about more than the awards themselves. It was a chance to reconnect with colleagues, meet new people, celebrate career milestones and share in the achievements of the wider WiBF community.

For those unable to join us in Sydney, the celebration continued online through our LinkedIn Live stream, allowing people across Australia and beyond to be part of the afternoon.

Thank You to Our Sponsors and Partners

An event of this scale would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors and partners.

A very special thank you to our headline sponsor, NAB, for continuing to support the WiBF National Industry Awards and for helping us celebrate the achievements of our community.

We also extend our thanks to all of our 2026 award category sponsors, partners and supporters who helped bring the Awards to life.

• AdM8 Agency
• Amazon Web Services (AWS)
• Amplify AI Group
• ANZ
• Ansarada
• Aware Super
• Commonwealth Bank of Australia
• Credit Collection Services Group Pty Ltd
• Credit Corp Group
• Deloitte
• Deutsche Bank
• Financial Education Professionals
• HSBC Australia
• KangaNews
• Korn Ferry
• MUFG
• My Money Circle
• RBC Capital Markets
• SW Accountants & Advisors
• Think Productive Australia / NZ
• Toyota Finance Australia
• Tyro Payments
• UniSuper
• Westpac Group

Your support helps WiBF continue to recognise the people making a difference across banking and finance and create opportunities for our community to connect, learn and grow.

Thank You to Our Judges, Volunteers and WiBF Community

We would also like to acknowledge our 2026 Awards judging panel for the time, expertise and care they brought to the judging process.

And finally, thank you to everyone who helped make the 2026 National Industry Awards possible.

To our volunteers, Awards Committee, team, sponsors, judges, finalists, winners, guests and everyone who joined us in person or online, thank you for being part of such a special afternoon.

The energy in the room was a wonderful reflection of the strength of the WiBF community.

Until Next Year

The WiBF 2026 National Industry Awards celebrated where our industry is today while looking towards where we are heading next.

There is no shortage of people across banking and finance who are challenging ideas, creating opportunities, supporting others and helping shape what comes next.

And that is exactly what Shaping Tomorrow Together is all about.

Congratulations once again to all of our 2026 finalists and winners.

We look forward to continuing to celebrate the people, ideas and achievements shaping the future of banking and finance.

Click here to view the full 2026 photo album.

Save the date for the WiBF 2027 National Industry Awards

ICC Grand Ballroom, Sydney

Wednesday 22 September 2027