The countdown is on for one of Australia’s biggest nights in technology. The Women Leading Tech Awards 2026 presented by Atlassian takes place this Friday at ICC Sydney. With tickets moving fast ahead of the 20 March event, now is the time to grab your seat and join the celebration of women reshaping the industry.1
This gathering promises inspiration, recognition and real connection. Leaders, innovators and rising talent will come together to honour those breaking barriers and driving progress in tech.
The Big Night Is Almost Here
The event kicks off at 6pm on Friday 20 March 2026 at ICC Sydney and runs until 11pm. Attendees can expect a black tie or cocktail dress code for an evening filled with glamour and purpose. Every ticket includes a $15 donation to the Tsitsi Foundation which supports women led communities in rural Zimbabwe through clean water projects and education for girls.
Presented by Atlassian, the awards have been refreshed for 2026 to feel even sharper and more impactful. The night will spotlight achievements across many areas of tech while promoting greater inclusion for women, non binary and gender diverse professionals.
Organisers from B&T have built this into the premier platform for recognising talent that often works behind the scenes or pushes boundaries in new ways. The focus stays on real stories of leadership, innovation and change that benefit the entire sector.
Meet The Finalists Making Waves
Finalists were announced earlier this month on 4 March and the list shows incredible depth across the industry. Big names like Canva, Atlassian, Quantium, Telstra and SEEK feature heavily which highlights how major players are backing this push for better representation.
Standouts include:
- Charlotte Wilson and Utkarsha Ghule from Quantium in the AI Pioneer category
- Multiple Atlassian talents such as Ira Kudriashova, Jasone Zaballa and several Rising Stars
- Canva representatives like Alli McKee in Executive Leader and others across Design, Engineer and Product roles
- Leaders from Telstra, SEEK and the Australian Taxation Office showing public and private sector strength
These finalists come from every corner of tech. Some are building products while others focus on people, data, security or customer success. Their work proves that leadership takes many forms and every role matters in moving the industry forward.
The diversity of companies and roles shows how far the conversation has come. Yet it also reminds everyone that more work remains to achieve true parity.
Categories That Celebrate Every Kind Of Impact
This year’s awards feature a wide range of categories split into job roles, industry specific and changemaker groups. The structure ensures recognition reaches beyond the usual C suite spotlight.
Job role categories cover everything from Business Support and Customer Success to Developer, Engineer, Product and Sales. These acknowledge the daily contributions that keep tech organisations running smoothly and growing fast.
Industry categories shine a light on specialised fields including Adtech, AI Pioneer, Cyber Security, Fintech and Martech. They reward those tackling complex challenges in fast evolving areas that shape how we live and work.
Changemaker categories go deeper into influence and inspiration. Rising Star celebrates talent under 30 while Glass Ceiling honours those breaking barriers for themselves and others. Mentor, Champion of Change, Innovator and Woman of the Year round out the list with awards for lasting leadership and societal impact.1
Each category tells a story about different ways women drive tech forward. Whether through code, strategy, culture or community work, the awards make clear that progress needs all types of contributions.
The inclusive approach welcomes nominations from anyone identifying as a woman or non binary and gender diverse professionals. This creates a more complete picture of talent across Australia and New Zealand.
Why This Event Matters Right Now
Tech continues to face a well known gender gap. Events like the Women Leading Tech Awards play a vital role in highlighting success stories while encouraging more women and diverse talent to pursue and stay in these careers.
Attending offers more than just a night out. It creates space for networking with like minded professionals, learning from winners and finalists, and feeling part of a larger movement. Many past attendees say the energy and connections stay with them long after the event ends.
The timing feels especially important as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and sustainable tech reshape entire industries. Recognising the women leading these changes helps set positive examples for the next generation entering the workforce.
By celebrating achievements openly, the awards challenge old stereotypes and build confidence across the sector. They show young professionals that paths exist and role models are ready to guide them.
The partnership with Atlassian as presenting sponsor adds weight. As a homegrown tech success story, the company brings credibility and commitment to the cause of better workplace representation.
How To Join Before Tickets Run Out
With the event only days away, action is needed now. Tickets remain available through Humanitix but demand has been strong since early bird pricing ended in early March.
All attendees including finalists must secure their own ticket. The process is straightforward through the official event page. Those planning to attend should check availability today to avoid disappointment on the night.
The evening offers the perfect mix of celebration and substance. Expect powerful moments as winners are announced alongside opportunities to connect with people who are actively building the future of technology.
Securing your seat means becoming part of something bigger than one night. It supports the recognition of talent and contributes to initiatives that create real world impact through the ticket donation.
The Future Of Tech Needs More Voices Like These
The 2026 Women Leading Tech Awards arrive at a time when the industry needs fresh perspectives and inclusive leadership more than ever. By gathering to honour these achievements, the event sends a clear message that diverse talent drives better outcomes for everyone.
Whether you work in tech or simply care about building a fairer future, this night offers inspiration and connection. The stories shared will highlight both how far we have come and how much further we can go together.
The women being celebrated this Friday represent the bold thinking and steady effort required to solve complex problems. Their success opens doors for others and raises the bar for what great leadership looks like in technology.
