Person of the Year
Person of the Year recognises an individual who has demonstrated an exceptional body of work during the assessment period and created significant outcomes through their leadership, contribution and influence. This award looks beyond success within a single role or organisation to consider the broader effect of the entrant's work, the significance of what they have achieved and how they have used their position, expertise or platform to create opportunities or progress for others. It is not a popularity award or a lifetime achievement award.
Is this your category?
A quick read on the businesses this title is written for.
For an Australian-based individual who can demonstrate an exceptional body of work and significant outcomes during the assessment period.
Entrants may be business owners, executives, professionals, founders, leaders, advocates, creatives or individuals working across other fields.
Their contribution should extend beyond personal achievement and demonstrate meaningful influence or impact beyond their immediate role or organisation.
What judges need to see.
This category's published judging focus. Every category carries its own criteria and weightings.
Foundation
Foundation: The entrant's business, role, leadership context and body of achievement.
Results
Results: Measurable business performance, milestones and progress under their leadership.
Decisions
Decisions: Strategic choices, innovation and judgement that shaped outcomes.
Leadership
Leadership: Influence, mentorship, advocacy and the development of other people.
Impact
Impact: Contribution to business, industry or community and the legacy they are building.
Evidence to start gathering
Start collecting these now so the writing is quick later.
Read the Evidence Pack guideMeasurable outcomes, business or professional results.
Initiatives and industry contribution.
Partnerships.
Testimonials.
Media and recognition.
Community outcomes.
Opportunities created for others.
Other material substantiating your responses.
Entry details and eligibility
The format, the dates and the conditions that apply to this title.
The entrant must be a female business owner or founder.
The business must be at least 51% female-owned.
- Assessment period
- 2024–27.
- Minimum business age
- 12 months.
- Written responses
- 5.
- Evidence Pack
- 5 pages.
1 January 2024 to 28 February 2027
Minimum 12 months in business as at 4 October 2026.
5 written responses, up to 400 words each.
One PDF, up to 5 pages and 10 MB.
Resources
Before you enter
Five short reads that answer almost everything. Each one opens the Entry Guide at the right place.
Evidence Pack guide
What counts as evidence, what does not, and how to lay the PDF out.
Full eligibility
The rules that apply to every title, including trading dates and locations.
How judging works
Who reads your entry, how it is scored and how finalists are chosen.
Build a strong entry
How to answer the five questions with specifics instead of adjectives.
Frequently asked questions
Costs, deadlines, multiple entries and everything else people ask first.
RAYE Awards 2027
Person of the Year
Entries are written and submitted in the RAYE Awards portal, a separate system to RAYE Haus. Read the criteria, gather your evidence, then head across.