Australian businesswomen are achieving great things, regardless of their industry or background. Here is the continuation of our list of 50 most inspiring and influential women in business in Australia:

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26. Melanie Perkins – Co-Founder & CEO of Canva

As the co-founder and CEO of Canva, Melanie Perkins has revolutionised the design industry. Her technology has made the graphic design easier and more accessible for everyone. She is a billion-dollar success story and a role model for aspiring entrepreneurs. She is Forbes' Top 30 Under 30 Founders of the Decade and has been featured on numerous lists of Most Powerful Women in Business.

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27. Kayla Itsines - Founder of Sweat App

Kayla Itsines is the founder of Sweat, a fitness app that has been downloaded more than 50 million times. She started the app with her partner and it has since become one of the most popular fitness apps in the world. Kayla is an advocate for healthy living and has been recognised for her work in promoting fitness and well-being.

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28. Diana Williams - Founder of Fernwood Women’s Health Clubs

Diana Williams founded Fernwood Women’s Health Clubs, one of Australia's leading fitness clubs for women. Fernwood gyms are renowned for its focus on empowering women and providing a safe and supportive environment. She has been recognised for her work in promoting health and fitness. Diana is a passionate advocate for health and wellness and has been a driving force behind the feminist movement in Australia.

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30. Therese Rein - Founder of Ingeus

Therese Rein is the founder and CEO of Ingeus, a leading employment services provider. She has an impressive background in the corporate world and was the CEO of her own company. Therese is passionate about helping people who are struggling to find work and has created an innovative employment model that is transforming the way people find work. She is a vocal advocate for flexible working arrangements and equal pay for women.

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31. Gail Kelly - former Westpac CEO

Gail Kelly is the former CEO of Westpac, one of Australia’s largest banks. She joined the bank in 2008 and has been credited with transforming Westpac into a more customer-focused organisation during her time there. Gail is passionate about empowering female leaders and is a vocal advocate for gender diversity in the workplace.

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32. Maxine Horne - Founder of Vita Group

Maxine Horne is the founder of Vita Group, a leading technology retailer. She has been recognised for her strategic and innovative approach to business and was named the Telstra Business Woman of the Year in 2016. Maxine is passionate about supporting female entrepreneurs and has created a supportive network for women in business.

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33. Leslie Gillespie - Founder of Bakers Delight

Leslie Gillespie is the founder of Bakers Delight, one of Australia’s leading bakeries. She has an impressive background in the food industry and is an advocate for healthy eating. Leslie has been recognised for her work in promoting a healthier lifestyle and was presented with the Order of Australia in 2017. She is a passionate advocate for sustainable food and has made Bakers Delight an environmentally conscious business.

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34. Isabella Moore - CEO of David Jones

Isabella Moore is the current CEO of David Jones, one of Australia's leading retail stores. She has extensive experience in retail, having held roles at Coles and Myer. Isabella is a passionate advocate for consumer rights and has been recognised for her efforts in driving innovative customer solutions.

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35. Stephanie Silva - CEO of the GPT Group

Stephanie Silva is the current CEO of the GPT Group, one of Australia's largest property investment companies. She has extensive experience in the property sector, having held roles at Stockland and Property Australia. Stephanie is an advocate for sustainable business practices and has won awards for her efforts in transforming the industry.

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36. Jo Horgan - Founder of Mecca

Jo Horgan is the founder and CEO of Mecca, one of Australia's leading cosmetics stores. She has an impressive background in the beauty industry, having held roles at Priceline and L'Oreal. Jo is a passionate advocate for female entrepreneurs and has created an empowering network for women in business.

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37. Yenda Lee - CEO of Bing Lee

Yenda Lee is the current CEO of Bing Lee, one of Australia's leading electronics retailers. She has extensive experience in the sector, having held roles at JB Hi-Fi and Harvey Norman. Yenda is an advocate for customer service excellence and has been recognised for her efforts in driving innovation and customer experience.

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38. Sarina Russo - Founder of Sarina Russo Group

Sarina Russo is the founder and CEO of the Sarina Russo Group, one of Australia’s leading job placement agencies. She has an impressive background in the corporate world and was the CEO of her own company. Sarina is passionate about helping people who are struggling to find work and has created an innovative employment model that is transforming the way people find work. She is a vocal advocate for flexible working arrangements and equal pay for women.

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39. Naomi Milgrom (Sussan Group) - Chairman of the Sussan Group

Naomi Milgrom is the Chairman of the Sussan Group, one of Australia’s leading fashion retailers. She has an impressive background in the industry and was the CEO of her own company. Naomi is passionate about creating opportunities for young people and promoting female leadership. She is a vocal advocate for collaboration and gender equality in the workplace.

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40. Rebecca James - CEO of Humm group

Rebecca James is CEO of the Humm group. At only 22 years of age she was a co-founder of Lavender, one of the largest independent digital advertising and customer experience agencies. Rebecca is passionate about creating innovative and customer-centric businesses and has been recognised for her efforts in driving innovation and customer experience. She is a vocal advocate for diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

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41. Kylie Lewis - Founder of Kin

Kylie, an entrepreneur in the digital industry and content promotion and social media marketing pioneer, started Kin in 2013 as a small side project. It has since turned into a major company, for which she is now the Founder, Leadership Facilitator and Coach. Her company's mission statement reads: Kin supports the development of creative, curious and entrepreneurial organisations and their teams interested in daring leadership, humanising work, building brave cultures and cultivating professional and personal courage.

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42. Deborah Tarrant - CEO of Mirvac

Deborah Tarrant is the current CEO of Mirvac, one of Australia's leading property developers. She has extensive experience in the construction sector, having held roles at Stockland and Lendlease. Deborah is passionate about sustainability and has won awards for her efforts in reducing the environmental impact of development.

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43. Leanne Cutts - COO of Saputo

Leanne Cutts is the current COO of Saputo, one of Australia's leading telecommunications companies. She has extensive experience in the technology sector, having held roles at Optus and Telstra. Leanne is an advocate for innovation in the industry and has been recognised for her efforts in driving positive change.

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44. Jacqui McGill - CEO of BHP Billiton

Jacqui McGill is the current CEO of BHP Billiton, one of Australia's largest mineral and energy companies. She has extensive experience in the mining sector, having held roles at Rio Tinto and Orica. Jacqui is an advocate for responsible resource management and has been recognised for her efforts in promoting ethical business practices.

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45. Charlotte Vidor - Founder of Toga Group

Charlotte Vidor is the founder and CEO of Toga Group, one of Australia’s leading hospitality companies. She has an impressive background in the sector and was the CEO of her own company. Charlotte is passionate about creating unforgettable experiences for customers and has won awards for her efforts in customer service. She is a vocal advocate for innovation and collaboration in the workplace.

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46. Kathryn Carter - Managing Director of KPMG Australia from 2021

Kathryn Carter is the current Managing Director of KPMG Australia, one of Australia's leading professional services firms. She has extensive experience in the accounting sector, having held roles at Deloitte and PwC. Kathryn is an advocate for corporate responsibility and has been recognised for her efforts in promoting ethical business practices.

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47. Alison Watkins - CEO of Coca-Cola Amatil from

Alison Watkins is the current CEO of Coca-Cola Amatil, one of Australia's leading beverage companies. She has extensive experience in the consumer goods sector, having held roles at Kraft Heinz and Unilever. Alison is an advocate for responsible marketing practices and has been recognised for her efforts in promoting ethical business practices.

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48. Barb de Corti - Founder of ENJO

Barb de Corti is the founder of ENJO, one of Australia's leading eco-friendly cleaning companies. She has extensive experience in the health and safety sector, having held roles at OH&S Australia and the Victorian Building Authority. Barb is an advocate for sustainable living and has been recognised for her efforts in promoting environmental stewardship.

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49. Gina Rinehart - Founder of Hancock Prospecting Group

Gina Rinehart is the founder and executive chairman of Hancock Prospecting Group, one of Australia's leading mining companies. She has an impressive background in business, having held roles at Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton. Gina is passionate about creating sustainable businesses and has been recognised for her efforts in driving positive change.

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50. Julia Ross - Ross Human Directions

Julia Ross is the founder and CEO of Ross Human Directions, one of Australia's leading human resources consulting firms. She has extensive experience in the HR sector, having held roles at Deloitte and Accenture. Julia is an advocate for workplace diversity and has been recognised for her efforts in promoting ethical business practices.

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These 50 powerful business women are a testament to the success that can be achieved when female leadership and entrepreneurship is embraced. They represent an inspiring example of what is possible, and their achievements should serve as an encouragement for other women to step up and take the lead in business. Through studying their stories, we can learn how to succeed in the corporate world and achieve our business goals.

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By honouring these 50 powerful business women, we hope to inspire other aspiring female entrepreneurs and business leaders to push for success and take charge of their own destinies. It is only through working together that we can help create a more gender-equal future and empower the next generation of female business leaders in Australia.

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