Award Categories
The Women in Digital Awards were founded in 2018 based on the idea ‘you can’t be what you can’t see.’
We believe that unless we have more visible role models in digital and technology we won’t change the status quo. By shining a light on industry leaders, we shine a light on the career pathways and possibilities that digital and technology provides to women.
In 2025 we have 19 award categories to nominate an outstanding woman (or team), or nominate yourself for one (or two) of the categories below. We have also introduced a new category, Allyship in Action, to celebrate an impact-driven manbassador who actively champions gender equity.
2026 Award Categories.
AI Leader of the Year
This award recognises the growing importance of artificial intelligence in shaping Australia’s digital future by celebrating a dedicated and innovative AI professional.
Powered by the National Artificial Intelligence Centre
Allyship in Action (Manbassador)
This award celebrates the impact, driven by an individual who actively champions gender equity by using their influence to support, advocate for and elevate others.
Powered by Women in Digital
Business Support Excellence
This *NEW* award recognises an individual or team delivering excellence in business support functions that enable and accelerate business outcomes.
Champion of Change
This award celebrates an impact-oriented individual who is driving meaningful change within the digital industry, whether through innovation, leadership, advocacy, or transforming the way organisations use technology.
Cloud and Infrastructure Excellence
This NEW award recognises an individual or team delivering excellence in digital and connectivity infrastructure that underpins and accelerates national and global digital capability.
Cybersecurity Leader of the Year
This award recognises the importance of cybersecurity and governance to keep us safe online by celebrating a dedicated and innovative cybersecurity professional.
Powered by Sekuro
Data Leader of the Year
This award recognises an individual who is transforming organisations and enhancing decision-making through the use of data.
Powered by Shell Energy
Digital Experience Excellence
This *NEW* award recognises an individual or team delivering excellence in digital experience – spanning user experience, customer experience, service design, and the end-to-end journeys that connect people with products, services, and organisations.
Powered by The Lottery Corporation
Digital Transformation Leader of the Year
This award recognises a distinctive business leader driving the transformation of an organisation through digital technology.
Employer of the Year
This award recognises the importance of diversity in developing more innovative and inclusive companies to support the future pipeline of women in technology.
Executive Leader of the Year
Awarded to Australia’s most outstanding executive leader in the digital sector, this category recognises the importance of leadership in driving digital transformations across an organisation and/or industry in Australia.
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Growth Leader of the Year
This *NEW* award recognises an individual delivering excellence in growth — spanning digital marketing, sales, demand generation, brand, content, performance marketing, and the strategies that drive customer acquisition, retention, and revenue in the digital age.
Global Impact Excellence
Recognises an Australian-based individual or team whose work has delivered measurable impact beyond Australian borders – whether through scaling a product or platform internationally, leading global digital strategy from an Australian base, contributing to international policy or standards, or building technology adopted across multiple countries.
Indigenous Leader of the Year
Recognising an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander role model who is leading technological innovation within their community or the broader digital industry.
IT Excellence
This award recognises an individual or team delivering excellence across the breadth of information technology — from infrastructure and systems administration, to IT service delivery, security, support, and the operational backbone that keeps organisations running and evolving.
Product Excellence
This award celebrates the best of Australia’s talent in Product Excellence. From Product Analysts, to Product Owners and Product Managers and Product Leaders – this individual or team is delivering exceptional commercial results through product strategy, leadership, stakeholder management and more.
Public Sector Excellence
This award recognises excellence in digital transformation by an individual or team, and the critical importance of effective digital capabilities within our public sector and government organisations.
Rising Star of the Year
This award recognises an ambitious innovator who has demonstrated an outstanding level of initiative and leadership as a digital specialist early in their career.
Software Engineering Excellence
This award recognises an individual or team who has shown industry leadership in building and developing software.
Technical Leader of the Year
This award champions someone that leads the successful delivery of high-performing technology applications (or projects) and as a result, enhances commercial outcomes for an organisation.
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Nominate
The awards gala is where the community comes together – providing a great opportunity to network with industry leaders.
- Self-reflection and recognition. You’d be amazed by the number of times we hear, “I didn’t realise how well I was doing! I feel like a winner just for entering”. The nomination process encourages you to take stock of your wins and articulate your achievements.
- Business visibility. By entering the Women in Digital Awards, you’ll have some of the industry’s finest judges and leaders review your entry and learn more about the work you do. If you become a finalist or winner, you’ll have even more of the industry’s best and brightest learning about the incredible work you do! This is business gold (hello free PR!)
- Career visibility. If you know the value of good marketing, you’ll know that it’s not just reserved for products and services. That principle also applies to careers! Get your work out there, and let the success speak volumes about you.
- Inspiring others. If you struggle with the limelight, remember that your entry and potential win isn’t just about you. By putting yourself forward and showcasing your work in digital and technology you have the opportunity inspire young girls and women to follow in your footsteps and realise a career in technology.