Thought Leadership Categories
Nominations that won in the 2025 Stevie® Awards for Women in Business may be resubmitted for consideration in the 2026 awards. If they have been updated with recent achievements, they may be submitted to the same categories in which they won. If they have not been updated, they must be submitted to categories different from those in which they won.
Information to be submitted online for entries in these categories in the 2026 competition include
1. Written answers to the following questions, describing the nominated organization’s or individual’s achievements achievements since July 1, 2024, OR a video of up to five (5) minutes in length that answers all of the same questions:
a. Briefly describe the nominated organization or individual: history and past performance (up to 1,500 characters). Required
b. Outline the organization’s or individual’s thought leadership achievements since the beginning of July 2024 that you wish to bring to the judges’ attention (up to 1,900 characters words). Required
c. Explain why the achievements you have highlighted are unique or significant. If possible compare the achievements to the performance of other players in your industry and/or to the organization’s past performance (up to 1,900 characters). Required
d. Reference any attachments of supporting materials throughout this nomination and how they provide evidence of the claims you have made in this nomination. (up to 1,900 characters). Optional
2. Optional (but highly recommended), a collection of supporting files and web addresses that you may upload to our server to support your entry and provide more background information to the judges. These might be planning documents, press clippings, work samples, photographs, video clips, etc.
W01. Achievement in Thought Leadership
This category will recognize the achievements since July 1, 2024 of organizations that have taken active measures to develop the women they employ as thought leaders and promote their thought leadership to audiences inside and outside the organization
W02a. Thought Leadership Campaign of the Year – Business Products
These categories will recognize the achievements since July 1, 2024 of thought leadership programs and campaigns created for or by women
W02b. Thought Leadership Campaign of the Year – Business Services
These categories will recognize the achievements since July 1, 2024 of thought leadership programs and campaigns created for or by women
W02c. Thought Leadership Campaign of the Year – Consumer Products
These categories will recognize the achievements since July 1, 2024 of thought leadership programs and campaigns created for or by women
W02d. Thought Leadership Campaign of the Year – Consumer Services
These categories will recognize the achievements since July 1, 2024 of thought leadership programs and campaigns created for or by women
W02e. Thought Leadership Campaign of the Year – Government or Non-Profit
These categories will recognize the achievements since July 1, 2024 of thought leadership programs and campaigns created for or by women
W03a. Female Thought Leader of The Year – Business Products
This category will recognize the achievements since July 1, 2024 of women who have demonstrated excellence in thought leadership on behalf of themselves and/or their organizations
W03b. Female Thought Leader of The Year – Business Services
This category will recognize the achievements since July 1, 2024 of women who have demonstrated excellence in thought leadership on behalf of themselves and/or their organizations
W03c. Female Thought Leader of The Year – Consumer Products
This category will recognize the achievements since July 1, 2024 of women who have demonstrated excellence in thought leadership on behalf of themselves and/or their organizations
W03d. Female Thought Leader of The Year – Consumer Services
This category will recognize the achievements since July 1, 2024 of women who have demonstrated excellence in thought leadership on behalf of themselves and/or their organizations
W03e. Female Thought Leader of The Year – Government or Non-Profit
This category will recognize the achievements since July 1, 2024 of women who have demonstrated excellence in thought leadership on behalf of themselves and/or their organizations There are no entry fees for these categories, but the $55/entry late fee will apply to nominations submitted after July 23.