The finalists have been announced for the 2026 Women in Business Awards, celebrating women making a difference across Niagara.
The Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce and Women in Niagara have named finalists in 14 categories, recognizing achievements in business, leadership, entrepreneurship, skilled trades, health care and community service.
Anna Pierce will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award for her decades of work in tourism and aviation, while entrepreneur and skilled-trades advocate Mandy Rennehan will receive the Ruth Unrau Legacy Award.
The awards ceremony takes place November 6th, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Sheraton Fallsview Hotel in Niagara Falls.
The 2026 Women in Business Awards finalists are:
· Community Impact Award, presented by Anchor Niagara
Nancy Croce, Fallon Farinacci, Barbara Greenwood, Rose Iannacchino, Lorna Kane, Donna Venditti
· Corporate Leadership Award, presented by Hatch
Jenn Barraza, Morgan Bentley, Bailey Charles
· Cultural Arts Award, presented by Corporate Park Wealth Management | Linda Dal Bianco
Angela Brayham, Bonnie Heslop, Patience Kyebitondo
· Emerging Business Award
Eleanor Pineau, Filomena Scarfone, Alka Singh
· Entrepreneurship Award, presented by Fedcap Canada
Kate Carnegie, Kimberly Legros, Laurie O'Neill, Melissa Roth, Alka Singh
· Equity Entrepreneur Award, presented by Adapt Immigration
Patience Kyebitondo, Vera Odajiri
· Excellence in Environmental Leadership Award, presented by CAA Niagara
Julia Baird, Rhoda deJonge, Kimberly Hawkins, Anna Vujovic
· Excellence in Hospitality & Tourism Award, presented by DDL & Co
Alanna Frewin, Marissa Hartley, Kim Odine Van Stygeren
· Excellence in the Not-for-Profit Sector Award, presented by OLG
Andrea DiCenso, Katie Houghton, Margaret Lockhart, Marie Mouradikian, Trudy Schroeder, Jonna Wolfenberg
· Excellence in the Public Sector Award, presented by Niagara Economic Development
Tanya Bradley, Deanna Graham, Leilani Lee-Yates, Antonia Mantonakis, Carla Stout, Rachel Tkachuk
· Excellence in Trades Award, presented by Kraun Electric
Laurie O'Neill, Rachel Schalk, Alexa Spione
· Health Care Hero Award, presented by Niagara College
Richa Agnihotri, Carolyn Dyer, Lisa Miele, Alka Singh
· Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM) Award, presented by MNP
Sylvia Denton, Ashley Paling, Eleanor Pineau
· Young Professional Award, presented by Ridley College
Lindsay Krahn, Jhenell Crystal Martin, Lisa Miele, Eleanor Pineau, Naveeda Rameez, Courtney Smith, Rachel Tkachuk, Kirstin Webb
(Written by: Brandon Warby)