Westpac PNG recently announced its distinguished panel of judges for the 2025 Westpac Outstanding Women (WOW) Awards. This year's judges exemplify excellence across various sectors, including civil society, business, diplomacy, the arts, and governance, truly reflecting the essence of the Awards that honor women who inspire, lead, and transform their communities. With a renewed commitment to celebrating remarkable women in Papua New Guinea, the WOW Awards in 2025 is privileged to be guided by the collective wisdom, integrity, and vision of five extraordinary judges namely Ruth Kissam, Taumaia Hellesoe, Dame Meg Taylor, Ngaiire, and Michelle Hau'ofa. Ruth Kissam, the Overall Winner of the WOW Awards in 2018, is a pioneer in the country’s civil society. Her relentless efforts in the not-for-profit sector have influenced policies and empowered communities throughout the nation. Recently appointed as General Manager of Corporate Affairs for Steamships, Ruth remains a strong advocate for positive change. Taumaia Hellesoe brings over 20 years of experience in banking operations, governance, and strategic execution within PNG and the Pacific as a seasoned leader in financial services. As the Head of Operations at Westpac PNG, she is recognized for her composed leadership and dedication to service excellence, ethical governance, and the empowerment of women in leadership roles. Dame Meg Taylor, a lawyer trained at Harvard, has held positions on the boards of Nambawan Super and the PNG Sustainable Development Program, and was the first female Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum. Her distinguished career includes important roles with the World Bank Group and as Papua New Guinea's Ambassador to the US, Mexico, and Canada. A prominent figure in Pacific diplomacy and climate advocacy, Dame Meg's lifelong dedication to public service and her ground-breaking accomplishments serves as an inspiration for generations of women. Ngaiire, an artist born in Papua New Guinea and now based in Sydney, has made a name for herself with notable performances at Glastonbury and the Sydney Opera House, as well as collaborations with renowned artists like Alicia Keys, John Legend, and Flume. Her third album, titled ‘3’, draws inspiration from her return to her PNG roots and has garnered four ARIA nominations, marking a significant step into multidisciplinary art. In 2025, she is set to further expand her creative horizons with her upcoming large-scale show PAIA, premiering at VIVID Sydney. Michelle Hau'ofa, serving as the Chair of Callan Services National Unit and also as the Chair of one of PNG’s four superannuation fund Boards, brings a wealth of experience from her national leadership roles. Her dedication to the social and economic advancement of PNG is evident through her leadership in business and public health program delivery, where she has served on various boards across these sectors. The distinguished judges involved will contribute their insights, values, and personal experiences to the thorough selection process, ensuring that the 2025 WOW Awards continue to highlight the contributions of women across PNG who are making significant impacts in their respective fields and communities. Andrew Cairns, CEO of Westpac PNG, expressed his enthusiasm in regard to reintroduction of the WOW awards. “As we celebrate 115 years of banking in Papua New Guinea, we are excited to reintroduce the Westpac Outstanding Women’s Awards as one of our flagship initiatives that honors the strength, resilience, and brilliance of PNG women.” “The quality of our judging panel for 2025 reflects our commitment to recognizing the power of women’s leadership across all sectors of PNG society.” “We are privileged to have these outstanding individuals guiding the selection of the next generation of WOW Award recipients.” Nominations for the 2025 Westpac Outstanding Women’s Awards will close on May 30th, 2025. Winners in each of the seven categories will receive a K5,000 grant along with a full year’s mentorship program with a Westpac leader. The overall winner of the WOW Awards will be awarded a K5,000 grant, a full year of mentorship, and the opportunity to attend a business conference in Australia, all sponsored by Westpac.