Sunshine Coast Grammar School Principal, Maria Woods has taken out the top Sunshine Coast Business Women’s Network award to be named the 2014 Outstanding Business Woman of the Year at the Sunshine Coast Business Women’s Network Awards Gala on Friday, August 29.
A prominent event on the business calendar, the Awards evening showcases the numerous achievements of women from a diverse range of industries and the invaluable contribution they make to business and within the community.
Mrs Woods took up the position at Grammar in July 2012 after leaving her post as Deputy Principal at Cannon Hill Anglican College in Brisbane. She won a Griffith University professional development scholarship in 2011 to undertake a Doctorate in Philosophy and is a member of the Australian College of Education and Australian Institute of Company Directors.
A very worthy winner and role model for other business woman in the community, Mrs Woods has made presentations at various conferences and events on leadership and innovation, as well as her own educational fields – drama and the arts.
Mrs Woods says that winning the prestigious award has been surreal and hopes that the win will allow her to continue to make a difference in the community and to support and inspire others.
“I am honoured to have won this award and thank the community for their support, I look forward sharing this success with others by inspiring them to find their passion and realise their full potential,” said Mrs Woods.
Following a gruelling submission and interview process, 25 of the Coast’s top business women were nominated as finalists across five categories including Professional, Corporate, Micro/Small, Young Business Woman and the new Sports Woman of the Year, with the overall winner taking out the coveted Outstanding Business Woman of the Year Award.
The Business Woman of the Year awards are all about recognising and rewarding successful business women on the Sunshine Coast and allowing others to share in their stories so they too can feel motivated and supported to achieve their goals.