After a record number of nominations and applications, this year's finalists have been announced in the 2020 Altitude Awards.
The Altitude Awards are jointly presented by Women with Altitude and The Men's Altitude Network, a community of entrepreneurs in western Sydney. The awards are held annually to provide an opportunity to acknowledge those who have made outstanding contributions as business owners, community contributors, employees, creative thinkers and leaders.
This year's awards attracted more than 130 finalists across 16 award categories. The winners will be announced at a gala ball in Sydney on November 7.
Women with Altitude founder, Andrea Turner-Boys, said: "In spite of the challenging year we have all faced, businesses are working hard to adapt and change, which was evident in the phenomenal applications we received from all over NSW and the ACT. We are super excited to shine a spotlight on local people everywhere doing some wonderful things for their communities."
Susan Templeman MP, sponsor of the Soaring Micro Award category, said being a finalist was no mean feat with between 35 and 40 entries in every category.
"Even just the review process that people undertake to enter the awards has an impact, as it helps people actually realise how far they have come in their business," she said
"October 2020 would have been my 30th year in business had I not been elected to Federal Parliament, and I started my business in a recession, so I have a sense of what our local businesses are up against right now. I've been in their shoes.
"I began sponsoring these awards long before I entered Parliament, as many successful business people do as a way of giving back and supporting newer businesses."
2020 Award Finalists
- Soaring Micro Award: Liz Hunter, The Blackheath Creative
- Soaring Solo Award: Charity Mirow, Fusion Boutique; Barbara Callan, barbaracallan.com; Sallyanne Pisk, Eating for You.
- On My Way Award: Cory Webb, Cory Webb Design; Beverley Gunn, Waratah eConveyancing; Ruth Meaney, Whole Woman Physio.
- Climb Every Mountain Award: Anne Barratt, Empowering Health; Angela Gauci, Total Workforce Services; Donna Marcal, Dermatonics
- The Changemaker Award: Joe and Merylese Mercieca, Blue Eco Homes; Grace Kim, Sensory Concerts®
- Through the Woods Award; Kim Draguns, Megalong Creek Estate; Selena Seifert, Wild Valley Art Park; Deb Cash, Beyond BEAUT-T-FUL BAGS
- Business Excellence Award: Kelly-Anne Cummings, Work life Balance Academy; Joe and Merylese Mercieca, Blue Eco Homes
- Two Peas Partnership Award: Deb and Bruce Cash, Beyond BEAUT-T-FUL BAGS. Carla Poole and Rebecca Miller, La Bella Medispa Orange.
- Purpose Driven Entrepreneur Award: Anne Barratt, Empowering Health; Sarah Cuzner, Community Smiles Limited
- Revolutionary Award: Shannon Decker, Now & Zen Landscapes
- Strategic Connector of the Year Award: Julie Ankers; Fran Cane, Fran Cane Can Do.
- Young Entrepreneur Award: Ellie Hofland, White Fox Massage: Kylie King, The Phoenix Within
- Best in Service Award: Shannon Decker, Now & Zen Landscapes
- Best Professional Service Award:Elizabeth McKid, An Ad Hoc Lifestyle
- Best Professional Service Business Award: Angela Gauci, Total Workforce Services
- Best Online/Digital Business Award: Sallyanne Pisk, Eating for You: Charity Mirow, Fusion Boutique
- Best Handmade/Original Product Award:Donna Marcal, Dermatonics.
