On International Women’s Day, Westpac PNG announced the official judging panel for the 2026 Westpac Outstanding Women (WOW) Awards, bringing together respected leaders and past award winners to recognise the next generation of female trailblazers across Papua New Guinea.
In a reflection of the awards’ growing impact and legacy, each category will be judged by the 2025 category winner alongside a senior Westpac PNG leader, combining lived experience, professional expertise and a shared commitment to advancing women’s leadership.
The 2026 judging panel is as follows:
• Entrepreneur: Violet Bukon and Tanya Drost, Head of Risk, Westpac PNG
• Not-for-Profit: Delsie Casper Nick and Venessa Vee, Head of Legal and Company Secretary, Westpac PNG
• Private Sector: Raka Numa Raula and Miriam Rothera, Head of Retail, Westpac PNG
• Public Sector: Dr Pamela Toliman and Olive Compain, Business Manager, Westpac PNG
• Sports & Arts: Ruth-meu Omenefa and Taumaia Hellesoe, Head of Operations, Westpac PNG
• Sustainability: Anne-Shirley Korave and Shannon Yap, Executive Manager, Business Controls & Monitoring, Westpac PNG
• Young Achiever: Julie Rereve and Emma Low, Managing Director, Westpac Pacific
The Overall Woman of the Year will be determined based on the highest-scoring category winner following the judging process.
Westpac PNG Chief Executive Andrew Cairns said announcing the judging panel on International Women’s Day underscores the purpose of the WOW Awards.
“International Women’s Day is about celebrating progress while recognising the work still to be done. The WOW Awards reflect our enduring commitment to elevating women’s voices and leadership across Papua New Guinea. We are honoured to have such an accomplished group of judges who bring credibility, insight and passion to this process,” Mr Cairns said.
By pairing past winners with Westpac leaders, the awards continue to strengthen a network of role models who understand both the challenges and opportunities facing women across all sectors in Papua New Guinea.
Westpac PNG also continues to strengthen women’s representation in leadership. Three of the bank’s seven directors are women, including the chairwoman, while women make up six of the 10 members of the executive leadership team. This representation reflects Westpac PNG’s commitment to inclusion, balanced leadership and creating pathways for women to lead at the highest levels of the organisation.
Westpac PNG Chairwoman Tamzin Wardley said the judging panel reflects the values of the awards.
“On International Women’s Day, it is especially meaningful to recognise the leaders who will help shape this year’s WOW Awards. Our judges represent excellence, integrity and service across their respective fields. By bringing together past winners and senior leaders, we are reinforcing the strength of this network and our commitment to ensuring women’s achievements are not only celebrated, but elevated and supported,” she said.
Westpac Pacific Managing Director Emma Low said the awards aim to inspire impact across the region. “The WOW Awards are about more than recognition, they are about sparking impact. The women serving as judges alongside me this year understand firsthand the courage, innovation and resilience it takes to lead. Their involvement ensures the Awards continue to inspire ambition and confidence in women right across Papua New Guinea and the broader Pacific region,” she said.
Now in its 24th year, the Westpac Outstanding Women Awards remain the country’s most prestigious recognition programme for women. Nominations for the 2026 awards are open until 31 May 2026.
How to nominate
Nominations for the 2026 Westpac Outstanding Women Awards are open until 31 May 2026.
Details on the nomination process, eligibility and award categories are available at: https://www.westpac.com.pg/westpac-outstanding-women-awards/
Applications can also be submitted at any Westpac branch by completing the nomination form. The WOW Awards ceremony will be held in July 2026, bringing together industry leaders, government representatives and community advocates to recognise the achievements of Papua New Guinea’s outstanding women.
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