A handful of times each year, WBJ will dedicate the majority of a print edition to the people and companies representing the best of us.
These awards editions celebrate those who go above and beyond to create the best possible business community. Amid all the industry trends, market intelligence, investigations into wrongdoing, and the regular hustle and bustle of the economy, each of these editions is a welcome reprieve meant to honor the good in everybody, specifically the award winners.
This edition marks the 17th time WBJ has named the Outstanding Women in Business, an important effort recognizing key leaders from the half of the population still struggling for equal footing, despite decades of progress. These awards are wonderful because they typically focus on women who spent years toiling and excelling behind the scenes, with perhaps only a handful of people truly appreciating their greatness. Now, through the awards, you all get a chance to discover how these women have influenced our lives for the better.
Outstanding Women in Business is one of eight honors WBJ will hand out this year. The first was Best of Business, where readers vote in 50+ categories like Best Law Firm and Best Restaurant. In February, we had our Business Leader of the Year awards for those with great achievements in the past 12ish months, along with the WBJ Hall of Fame inductees, who have a lifetime of achievements. April marked the Manufacturing Excellence Awards, honoring companies from our largest industry. In August, the always energizing 40 Under Forty recognized up-and-coming young professionals. In December, WBJ will have the third iteration of the Champion of Health Care awards for those who have the most heart-wrenching jobs in the region.
In mid-November, WBJ will unveil the inaugural winners of our newest award: Notable Veterans, designed to highlight executives who first dedicated their lives to our country through military service. The nomination deadline just passed, and I can tell you now Central Massachusetts is very lucky to have professionals of this caliber.
But certainly take the time now to read all about our eight 2025 Outstanding Women in Business. The OWIB alumnae community, with its 100+ members, is the most engaged of all of WBJ’s award winners, and this year’s honorees are taking that excellence to new heights.
Brad Kane is editor of the Worcester Business Journal.
