15 years of excellence: The CEO Magazine’s 2026 Executive of the Year Awards
The CEO Magazine’s 15th Annual Executive of the Year Awards brought together Australia’s leading executives, entrepreneurs and business trailblazers at ICC Sydney’s Grand Ballroom for an evening dedicated to ambition, innovation and impact.
Proudly supported by major sponsor Polestar, the milestone celebration honored the outstanding individuals and organizations challenging convention, driving progress and making a lasting mark across their industries.
Hosted by Larry Emdur, the black-tie event was a spectacular celebration of achievement, connection and entertainment. From the announcement of Australia’s 2026 CEO of the Year to the recognition of exceptional leaders across 15 award categories, the evening marked a significant milestone in celebrating leadership excellence.
And with an incredible line-up of finalists, winners, judges and partners in the room, it was a night that reminded us why great leadership deserves to be celebrated.
Relive the night
From the red carpet arrivals and spectacular ballroom setting to the celebrations on stage, explore the highlights from The CEO Magazine’s 15th Annual Executive of the Year Awards.
The ultimate honor:
Kellie Barnes named CEO of the Year
The evening’s highest individual honor went to Kellie Barnes, CEO of dop, named The CEO Magazine’s 2026 CEO of the Year.
Recognized for her outstanding leadership, Barnes took home the prestigious overall title, marking a defining moment in this year’s awards.
Bobby Lehane, Group CEO and Managing Director of PICA Group, was named runner-up, while Louis Droguett, Co-Founder and CEO of Software@Scale, received highly commended recognition.
Three exceptional leaders, each representing the ambition, vision and determination that define the very best of Australian business.
A lifetime of impact:
Carol Schwartz AO
One of the evening's most significant moments was the presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Award to Carol Schwartz AO.
A highly respected leader and advocate, Schwartz’s contribution to business, philanthropy and the broader Australian community represents the enduring power of leadership with purpose.
Her recognition celebrated not simply a career of achievement, but also a legacy of influence, advocacy and meaningful contribution.
A fitting tribute during the Executive of the Year Awards’ 15th anniversary year.
Meet the 2026 executive of the year awards winners
From financial services and technology to healthcare, property, energy and not-for-profit leadership, this year’s winners represent the breadth and depth of Australia’s executive talent. Congratulations to every recipient.
BANKING, FINANCIAL SERVICES AND INSURANCE
EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR
Winner
AARON BASSIN
Co-Founder and CEO, Bridgit
Runner-up
ADAM GRINGLAS
Managing Director, Jadig Finance
Highly Commended
REDOM SYED
Managing Director, Flint Group
CONSTRUCTION, TRANSPORT AND LOGISTICS
EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR
Winner
ALI MOBARAK
Associate Director, Decode Group
Runner-up
MAT FARMER
Director, Endfire Engineering
Highly Commended
COLIN CALDER
Group Managing Director, CABER Group
CONSUMER AND LIFESTYLE
EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR
Winner
SUE BADYARI
CEO, World Expeditions
Runner-up
SIMON THOMPSON
Managing Director, Anytime Fitness Australia
Highly Commended
MICHAEL RAMSEY AND MARK ARMSTRONG
Co-Founders and Co-CEOs, STRONG Pilates
ENERGY AND MINING
EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR
Winner
HEUSON BAK
CEO, Solar Naturally
Runner-up
NIKHIL JAYARAJ
CEO, Regen Power
Highly Commended
SANJIV MANCHANDA
CEO – Projects, Hancock Prospecting
EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT OF THE YEAR
Winner
ROBYN GROBBELAAR
Executive Assistant to Chief Economist, Commonwealth Bank of Australia
Runner-up
MELISSA RUTTERS
Executive Assistant to CEO, CBH Group
Highly Commended
STEVIE WEINE
Executive Business Partner, KWY Aboriginal Corporation
HEALTHCARE
EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR
Winner
MARK WOODLAND
Co-Founder and CEO, Kismet
Runner-up
STEPHEN BECSI
CEO, Apollo Care
Highly Commended
MARK O’BRIEN
CEO, Prestige Inhome Care
IT AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS
EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR
Winner
KELLIE BARNES
CEO, dop
Runner-up
SLADEN MOSES
Founder and CEO, Lexin Solutions
Highly Commended
RATTESH GUMBER
Founder and Managing Director, IT Alliance Australia
MANUFACTURING
EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR
Winner
ALAN WONG
Founder and CEO, IND Technology
Runner-up
DAVID ANTONACCI
CEO, Teeny Tiny Homes
Highly Commended
NICK CARTHEW
Managing Director, AME Systems
NOT-FOR-PROFIT
EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR
Winner
SARAH WILLIAMS
Founder and CEO, What Were You Wearing? Australia
Runner-up
WAYNE ANDREWS
CFO, University of Sydney
Highly Commended
DEBORAH THOMAS
CEO and Managing Director, Camp Quality
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR
Winner
DAVID GAGOVSKI
CEO and Managing Director, Cleaning Melbourne and Cleaning Brisbane
Runner-up
TAMARA RYF
CEO, The Clicks Group
Highly Commended
DEBBIE DAVIS
CEO, Beaumont People
PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT AND REAL ESTATE
EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR
Winner
Bobby Lehane
Group CEO and Managing Director, PICA Group
Runner-up
Fiona Yang
Co-Founder, Plus Agency
Highly Commended
Lloyd Edge
Founder and Managing Director, Aus Property Professionals
STARTUP
EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR
Winner
LOUIS DROGUETT
Co-Founder and CEO, Software@Scale
Runner-up
LOUIS SISK
Co-Founder and CEO, Doccy
Highly Commended
BEN KING
Founder and CEO, Aviato Consulting
VIRGIN UNITE 100% HUMAN AT WORK
Winner
MANTEL GROUP
Fifteen years of celebrating leadership, in spectacular style
The 15th anniversary deserved a setting to match. Guests entered a beautifully transformed Grand Ballroom, where a contemporary metallic aesthetic brought together gunmetal, chrome and silver tones. Dramatic low lighting, striking projection screens and sculptural ice block centerpieces created a sophisticated visual experience.
Each table featured a single-stemmed orchid frozen within an ice centerpiece, complemented by mirrored details and rich velvet napery. The result was modern, considered and unmistakably celebratory.
The culinary experience was equally memorable, with a menu showcasing premium Australian produce.
Guests enjoyed king salmon with compressed Granny Smith apple, cucumber and Davidson's plum ponzu, alongside smoked Hawkesbury duck breast with celeriac puree and golden sultana.
Main courses featured wildfire-spiced Daintree barramundi with spanner crab croquettes, alternating with chargrilled Riverina beef eye fillet, followed by an indulgent selection of miniature desserts, including Pepe Saya sour cream and lemon cheesecake, chocolate and olive oil cake and tiramisu mascarpone mousse.
An unforgettable performance
The evening’s entertainment brought another dimension to the celebration. Guests were treated to special performances by Indigenous Australian artist Mitch Tambo, alongside West Papuan refugee and vocalist Voice of Lele as well as Australian singer-songwriter Reigan Derry.
Bringing together extraordinary musical talent and diverse cultural influences, the performance added a memorable sense of connection and celebration to the occasion.
Thank you to our judges
The integrity of the Executive of the Year Awards is underpinned by the experience and expertise of its judging panel.
Our sincere thanks to the 2026 judges: Anna Dutton, Chris Dutton, John Karagounis, Colleen Callander, Jose Da Silva, Linda Mellors, Melinda Petrunoff, Ronni Kahn and Samuel Viney.
Thank you for your time, insight and commitment to recognizing outstanding leadership.
Our sponsors and partners
An event of this scale would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors and event partners.
We are proud to recognize the organizations that continue to invest in celebrating Australia’s executive talent and the future of business leadership.
Fifteen years down – the next chapter starts now
For 15 years, The CEO Magazine’s Executive of the Year Awards has recognized the people who make business better.
The visionaries who see opportunity where others see obstacles. The executives who lead through change. The founders who challenge the status quo. And the individuals who understand that meaningful success is measured not only by what an organization achieves, but also by the impact it creates.
The 2026 awards were a celebration of everything that makes exceptional leadership worth recognizing.
To our winners, runners-up, highly commended recipients, finalists, judges, sponsors and guests: thank you for being part of this milestone.
See the winners celebrate and explore more memorable moments from the evening in our highlights gallery.
Fifteen years of recognizing excellence. Fifteen years of celebrating ambition. And a future full of leaders worth celebrating.