A huge congratulations to the winner and the 26 nominees for Startmate’s 2024 Women Leader of the Year Award.
These stories of leadership are so incredibly inspirational to read, exactly the stories we need to shine a light on, for the very reason we started it because “you can’t be what you can’t see”.
The most immediate impact has been:
- 27 leaders put in a spotlight to inspire
- 150k+ estimated impressions
More importantly, the power of stories lies in their ability to inspire, connect, and shape the future. They help us see what’s possible, learn from one another, and spark new ideas. When women see others thriving in leadership roles—whether as managers, mentors, or trailblazers—they’re more likely to believe that they, too, belong at the top. The nominations we received left us in awe. These women are driving change, leading teams, and inspiring others every single day. Want to meet them? Keep reading.
Woman Leader of the Year
This award honors a visionary leader whose innovative thinking and dedication have driven substantial advancements within their organisation and the broader community. The recipient has demonstrated outstanding leadership by fostering inclusive environments, mentoring emerging talents, and serving as a role model for aspiring women leaders. Their contributions have not only propelled their organisation forward but have also inspired others to strive for excellence and leadership in the tech and startup sectors.
Winner: Shilpa Mohan, Head of Operations at ProcurePro
Originally studying Pharmacy, Shilpa Mohan went onto become an award-winning Interior Designer, working on small-scale to $50m projects. Concurrently, her passion for storytelling saw her step onto the stage as a Speaker Curator and Host for TEDxSydney, where her curated talks have amassed $1m+ views.
After deciding to pivot to the tech space, Shilpa joined ProcurePro as their 8th employee in 2022 - an AFR Fast Starter company (2023,2024), ranked 3rd in LinkedIn’s Top Startups 2024. As Head of Operations, she has been instrumental in scaling the business globally with over 50 employees.
Shilpa has become a passionate advocate for Australia’s startup ecosystem as a speaker, Startmate Mentor, Airtree Pioneers Community Advisor, and SXSW Tech/Startups Advisor where she champions growth and inclusivity in the tech and startup landscape. She's on a mission to help people pivot into startups, mentor women on accelerating their careers and find their voice and help founders build successful startups by coaching on operations, fundraising and storytelling.
A few of our favourite quotes from her nomination:
“A good company culture is noticed and felt from the first interaction. The people are happy. We feel safe. We feel like we belong. We are valued. We can do our best work, and live a balanced life. Shilpa Mohan, Head of Operations at ProcurePro, gives that to everyone in the team, the customers, and partners.”“Shilpa consistently goes the extra mile to get to know everyone, provides advice that empowers people to discover their own solutions, all while offering unwavering support from behind the scenes. Measured, composed, and often the voice of reason, Shilpa creates an environment where everyone feels seen and valued. Her leadership exemplifies what it means to lead with empathy, generosity, and a belief in others’ potential.”“She is inspiring not only by the quality of her work, her business intellect, her wit and humour, but she is the embodiment of what it means to be human and pursuing your life passions.”
Nominees for the Woman Leader of the Year
Grace Brown, Founder of Andromeda
Our favourite quote:
“I've seen her during some rough times - non-believers, short runway, people issues. She handled them like a maestro.”
Christina Hobbs, General Manager at Future Group
Our favourite quote:
“Christina Hobbs has been a clear and direct communicator on many fronts but her information on financial abuse and control and violence against women has made me take notice.”
Maxine Minter, General Partner at Co Ventures
Our favourite quote:
“What truly sets her apart is her authenticity, unwavering belief in others, and impressive gift for breaking down complex problems into clear, actionable frameworks.”
Daniel is a writer, Startmate Media Fellow and Co-Founder of Transitions Film Festival.
