Advancement of Women Award
A collaboration of Zonta Club of Brisbane donors.
The Advancement of Women Award honours individuals of any gender, profession or background who improve the status of women by creating new opportunities or champions women in social, community, economic, academic, political, or workplace settings.
Advancement of Women Award 2026
Megan Corfield is the Zonta Club of Brisbane’s Advancement of Women winner for 2026!
Pictured: Winner Megan Corfield (second from right), joined by, from right to left, Rachel Bennett (finalist), Jane Keating (Club President) and Sabeel Burgess (finalist).
Megan has a remarkable and long-standing track record of advocating for women through direct advocacy, mentoring, and leadership influence.
For over two decades, Megan has devoted substantial voluntary time to supporting hundreds of women at all career stages helping to build their visibility, foster meaningful collaborations and equip them with the confidence and tools to step forward.
Megan is the former Chair of the Queensland Chapter of Chief Executive Women, an honorary leadership role she held for four years. Under her leadership, the Chapter doubled its membership and strengthened its influence in advancing women in leadership.
Megan is also the founder of Glass Ladder a leadership development start-up designed to accelerate women’s advancement in the Australian economy. Peers describe Megan as a transformational leader. Her leadership, advocacy, and innovation exemplify courage, vision and an unwavering commitment to gender equality.
Thank you to everyone who submitted a nomination recognising women who are advancing the status of women.
The Advancement of Women Award helps Zonta Club Brisbane shine a spotlight on inspiring leaders championing equality, empowerment and opportunity for women.
Check out our previous AWA Winners
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KYLIE-LEE BRADFORD
2025 Winner
Kylie-Lee is the founder of Kakadu Organics, an Aboriginal-owned, female-led company that produces native foods, wellness products, and bush medicine.
Kylie-Lee’s deep cultural knowledge and lived experience fuel her passion for creating sustainable communities and increasing economic empowerment for Aboriginal people in business, particularly women in rural and remote areas. She’s recently expanded to PNG doing cross -cultural work with women in villages.
Kylie received the Advancement of Women Award for her business coaching and mentoring programs to support women in remote communities to develop successful business enterprises.
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BRITT FURLANIS
2024 Winner
Britt's leadership acumen and achievements in the oil and gas sector were particularly inspirational. She produces a podcast, ‘Women Unleashed’ and hopes to qualify for the Olympic equestrian team.
Britt spent the AWA prize on her projects to support and empower women in Papua New Guinea, and has since organised a bra drive for women in remote communities in Papau New Guinea with the Zonta Club of Brisbane and has joined the Club as a member!
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KATHY MCLEISH
2023 Winner
Kathy is the Co-Chair of Women in Media Australia and was the founding Convenor of Women in Media Queensland.
Kathy is an award-winning ABC journalist and producer who has reported for programs across the network including Stateline, 7.30, Landline, Australian Story and TV and radio news and current affairs.
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THELMA SCHWARTZ
2022 Winner
Thelma is the principal legal officer of the Queensland Indigenous Family Violence Legal Service (QIFVLS), an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled organisation.
Thelma received the AWA in recognition of her work in providing legal and non-legal support services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander victims and survivors of family violence and sexual assault in Queensland.
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CATHY HUNT
2020 Winner
Cathy is co-founder of Of One Mind, a not for profit company behind the development of the Women of the World Festival in Australia.
She received the Advancement of Women Award in recognition of her outstanding 20-year track record creating programs to empower women in addressing gender inequality, engaging a wide range of communities of women in Australia and internationally creating new pathways through art and cultural efforts including your directorship of the WOW Festivals.
About the Award
The Advancement of Women Award is proudly funded by generous Club members and supporters. It reflects Zonta International’s global mission to advance gender equity and human rights.
