JUDGES

Meet the judges

Category:
All
Sustainability
Community Hero
Marketing
Retailer of the Year
Resilience
Export
Innovator
Rising Star
Regional Business
People Power
Founder of the Year
✕ Clear filters
Judge
Marketing
Regional Business

Mia Fileman

Founder and Marketing Strategist, Campaign Del Mar

Judge
Retailer of the Year
Export

Richard Li

Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, July

Judge
Rising Star

Lynda McAlary-Smith

Ombudsman, Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise (ASBFEO)

Judge
Export
Regional Business

Lama Tayeh

Founder and CEO, LULUMPR

Judge
Sustainability
Retailer of the Year

Julie Mathers

CEO, Snuggle Hunny

Judge
Sustainability
Retailer of the Year

Monique Samara

Founder & Director, PackQueen

Judge
Sustainability
Retailer of the Year

Briony Kennedy

Founder & CEO, Adorn Cosmetics

Judge
People Power
Resilience

Jodie Imam

Co-founder and CEO, Tractor Ventures

Judge
Resilience
People Power

Tash Menon-Verheul

Sparring Partner, Menon Curatorial

Judge
Marketing

Rachel Fang

Global Marketing Director, Vudoo

Judge
All

Eloise Keating

Editor, SmartCompany

Judge
Resilience

Annelyn Singson

Vice President, Account Management, Mastercard

Judge
Innovator

Dan Martin

Country Manager, Australia, Mastercard

Judge
Marketing

Qinghua Siluo

Founder & CEO, Michu Pet Supplies

Judge
Innovator
Retailer of the Year

Adam Schwab

Co-founder and CEO, Luxury Escapes

Judge
Innovator
Resilience

Kristi Mansfield

Co-founder and CEO, Seer Data & Analytics

Judge
Rising Star
People Power

Christina Gerakiteys

CEO UtopiaX, Founder, IdeaSparx

Judge
Marketing
People Power

Phoebe Netto

Founder and Managing Director, Pure Public Relations

Judge
Community Hero
People Power

Adriarna Nunn

Head of People & Culture, Cobild

Judge
Community Hero
Marketing

Jemma Mrdak

Director, Dak & Co

Judge
People Power
Innovator

Michel Hogan

Brand Counsel

Judge
Community Hero
Sustainability

Cec Busby

Editor, Business Builders + Flying Solo

Judge
Rising Star
Innovator

Simon Thomsen

Editor, Startup Daily

Judge
Marketing
Export

Dr Marian Makkar

Associate Professor of Marketing, RMIT University

Judge
Marketing
Export

Benjamin Cairns

Director, Grid City

Judge
Resilience
Community Hero

Tahnee McWhirter

Co-founder and partner, HumanX HR

Judge
Regional Business
Community Hero

Sally Branson-Dalwood

Managing Director, The Sally Branson Consulting Group (SBCG)

Judge
All

David Adams

Senior business journalist, SmartCompany

Judges for this category will be announced soon.

Supporting partner

Optus

Gold partner

Mastercard

Category sponsors

2026 Smart50 — SmartCompany and Optus

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the deadlines for entry?

Entry deadline: Monday, August 31, 2026
Late entry deadline: Friday, September 4, 2026
Category finalists announced: Tuesday, September 29, 2026
Gala event: Thursday, November 12, 2026

How much does it cost to enter the 2026 Smart50 Awards?

Entry cost: $200 + GST
Late entry cost: $250 + GST

Can I enter more than one award?

Definitely - in fact, we encourage it! Your entry form will save your information so you'll only need to provide answers to the additional questions attached to each award category.

You will need to pay an entry fee for each additional submission.
SEE ALL FAQs >

© 2026, SmartCompany