Registered nutritionist Kate Freeman, who founded The Healthy Eating Group to impart skills and build confidence for adults to eat well long term, has been named the 2022 Canberra Business Woman of the Year at the Canberra Women in Business (CWB) Awards tonight.

The winners of six award categories as part of the 2022 Synergy CWB Awards were announced at the QT Canberra during the annual Gala Awards event.

The Awards event was back in person this year, following a virtual event in 2021 due to COVID restrictions.

CWB President Sheena Ireland said it was wonderful to fill the QT Ballroom with outstanding women in business and enjoy a night together celebrating their achievements over the past year.

“Often women don’t put themselves first and don’t celebrate their successes, that’s what so important about our Gala Awards; it provides that opportunity.

“Judging this year was an extremely tough task for our judging panel with so many high-calibre applications.

“I’m told it was an extremely tough decision across the categories, with point scores very close at the final count.

“Looking at the finalists across the six categories, the winner could have been awarded to any of our finalists, as they’re all delivering such an impact in our business community and community generally,” Ms Ireland said.

ACT Minister for Business and Better Regulation, Tara Cheyne, who attended and presented at the Gala event, congratulated all the finalists and winners.

“These Awards are a powerful reminder of the successes that women in business can achieve in Canberra.

“It’s equally inspiring to see such a strong community of women supporting one another in business and their ambitions.

“Congratulations to Canberra Women in Business for recognising Canberra’s businesswomen and the amazing work they do in our community, and congratulations to all the nominees, finalists and winners.”

The 2022 award winners

• Chamberlains Law Business Woman of the Year – Kate Freeman, The Healthy Eating Group Pty Ltd
• Parbery Consulting Young Business Woman of the Year – Rae Knopik, GREN and the CBR Gals Network
• Synergy Indigenous Business Woman of the Year – Dixie Crawford, Nganya
• Clover Canberra Small Business Woman of the Year – Amanda Snashall, Digital Design Partners Pty Ltd
• Synergy Innovation Business Woman of the Year – Chaturica Athukorala, Aurabox
• QT Canberra Social Impact Business Woman of the Year – Jo Farrell, Kane Constructions Pty Ltd & Build Like a Girl, and Kristine Hewett, Adamas Nexus Ltd

Mandy Hill, Synergy Partner, said Synergy Group Australia was thrilled to be on board this year as the Platinum, Naming Rights and Award Category sponsor.

“As a firm that boasts a 50% female workforce, recognising Canberra’s rising and high achieving women—who are playing with impact and making a positive difference—is something we are very passionate about,” Ms Hill said.

Ms Ireland thanked everyone who applied for an Award, along with sponsors Synergy Group Australia, Chamberlains Law Firm, Parbery Consulting, Clover Canberra and QT Canberra.

“We look forward to an even bigger and better event in 2023,” she said.

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